Northern Counties

Shih Tzu  Club

SHIH  TZU  BREED  STANDARD

GENERAL  APPEARANCE:   Sturdy, abundantly coated dog with distinctly arrogant carriage and chrysanthemum-like face.

CHARACTERISTIC:   Intelligent, active and alert.

TEMPERAMENT:   Friendly  and independent.

HEAD AND SKULL:   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 up-tilted.   Top of nose leather should be on a line with or slightly below lower eye-rim.   Wide open nostrils.   Down pointed nose highly undesirable as are pinched nostrils.   Pigment of muzzle as unbroken as possible.

EARS: Large, with long leathers carried drooping.   Set slightly below crown of skull so heavily coated they appear to blend to hair of neck.

MOUTH:   Wide, slightly undershot or level.   Lips level.

NECK:   Well proportioned, nicely arched.   Sufficient length to carry head  proudly.

FOREQUARTERS:   Shoulders well laid back.   Legs short and muscular with ample bone, as straight as possible consistent with broad chest being well let down.

BODY:  Longer between withers and root of tail than height of withers.   Well coupled and sturdy, chest broad and deep, shoulders firm, back level.

HINDQUARTERS:   Legs short and muscular with ample bone.   Straight when viewed from rear.   Thighs well rounded and muscular.   Legs looking massive on account of wealth of hair.

FEET:   Rounded, firm and well padded, appearing big on account of wealth of hair.

TAIL: Heavily plumed, carried gaily well over back.   Set on high.   Height approximately level with that of skull to give balanced outline.

GAIT / MOVEMENT:   Arrogant, smooth-flowing, front legs reaching well forward, strong rear action and showing full pad.

COAT:   Long, dense, not curly, with good undercoat.   Slight wave permitted.   Strongly recommended that hair on head tied up.  

COLOUR:   All colours permissible, white blaze on forehead and white tip to tail highly desirable in part-colours.

SIZE:   Height at withers not more than 27 cms (10 ½ inches), type and breed characteristics of the utmost importance and on no account to be sacrificed to size alone.   Weight 4.5 kgs (10 -18 lbs).   Ideal weight 4.5 - 7.5 kgs (10 -17 lbs).

FAULTS:  An 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:   Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum

Breed Standard  is published with kind permission from the Kennel Club.

©The Kennel Club 1986

The Kennel Clubs primary objective is to promote in every way the general improvement of dogs.  This site aims to provide user with the information required to be a responsible dog owner and to help keep your pet safe and contented.

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