Shih Tzu Breed Standard
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General Appearance |
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Sturdy, abundantly coated dog with distinctly arrogant carriage and chrysanthemum-like face. |
Characteristics |
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Intelligent, active and alert. |
Temperament |
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Friendly and independent. |
Head and Skull |
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Head broad, round, wide between eyes. Shock-headed with hair falling well over eyes. Good beard and whiskers, hair growing upwards on the nose giving a distinctly chrysanthemum-like effect. Muzzle of ample width, square, short, not wrinkled; flat and hairy. Nose black but dark liver in liver or liver marked dogs and about one inch from tip to definite stop. Nose level or slightly tip-tilted. Top of nose leather should be on a line with or slightly below lower eyerim. Wide-open nostrils. Down-pointed nose highly undesirable, as are pinched nostrils. Pigmentation of muzzle as unbroken as possible. |
Eyes |
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Large, dark, round, placed well apart but not prominent. Warm expression. In liver or liver-marked dogs, lighter eye colour permissible. No white of eye showing. |
Ears |
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Large, with long leathers, carried drooping. Set slightly below crown of skull, so heavily coated they appear to blend into hair of neck. |
Mouth |
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Wide, slightly undershot or level. Lips level. |
Neck |
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Well proportioned, nicely arched. Sufficient length to carry head proudly. |
Forequarters |
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Shoulders well laid back. Legs short and muscular with ample bone, as straight as possible, consistent with broad chest being well let down. |
Body |
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Longer between withers and root of tail than height of withers, well coupled and sturdy, chest broad and deep, shoulders firm, back level. |
Hindquarters |
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Legs short and muscular with ample bone. Straight when viewed from the rear. Thighs well rounded and muscular. Legs looking massive on account of wealth of hair. |
Feet |
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Rounded, firm and well padded, appearing big on account of wealth of hair. |
Tail |
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Heavily plumed, carried gaily well over back. Set on high. Height approximately level with that of skull to give a balanced outline. |
Gait / Movement |
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Arrogant, smooth-flowing, front legs reaching well forward, strong rear action and showing full pad. |
Coat |
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Long, dense, not curly, with good undercoat. Slight wave permitted. Strongly recommended that hair on head tied up. |
Colour |
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All colours permissible, white blaze on forehead and white tip to tail highly desirable in parti-colours. |
Size |
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Height at withers not more than 27 cms (101/2 ins), type and breed characteristics of the utmost importance and on no account to be sacrificed to size alone. Weight: 4.5-8 kgs (10-18 lbs). Ideal weight 4.5-7.5 kgs (10-16 lbs). |
Faults |
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Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog. |
Note |
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Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. |
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Standard reproduced with kind permission of The Kennel Club. |