Shih Tzu

/shee" dzooh"/

one of a Tibetan breed of toy dogs having a long luxurious coat of any color, formerly bred in imperial China as a pet of the nobility.

[1945-50; < Chin (Wade-Giles) shih¹tzu (kou³), (pinyin) shizi (gou) lit., lion (dog)]

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Breed of toy dog developed in Tibet from the Pekingese and the Lhasa apso.

Sturdily built and short-legged, it stands about 10 in. (26 cm) tall and weighs 18 lb (8 kg) or less. It is longer than it is tall and has a short muzzle, hanging ears, and heavily haired tail, which it carries over its back. Its long, dense coat may be any of several colours and falls over the eyes, forming a beard.

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▪ breed of dog

 Tibetan dog breed developed from the Pekingese and the Lhasa apso. Listed in the toy group by the American Kennel Club, the shih tzu, called in Chinese shih-tzu kou (“lion dog”; Pinyin shizi gou), is a longhaired, characteristically active and alert little dog standing about 10 inches (25 cm) and weighing 9 to 16 pounds (4 to 7 kg). It is longer than it is tall and is sturdily built and short-legged, with a short muzzle, hanging ears, and a heavily haired tail carried over its back. Its dense coat, which may be a variety of colours, falls over its eyes and forms a beard and whiskers on the face.

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