| The Shih Tzu, whose Chinese name means "lion dog,"
is generally thought to have originated in western China. It resembles a Lhasa Apso except for its
shortened face, and could be the result of crossing
the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese. Certainly it was
the practice of the Dalai Lama of Tibet to give prize
specimens of the Lhasa Apso to visiting dignitaries
from foreign lands, including those from China. An
early standard for the breed written by the Peking
Kennel Club, called the most flowery ever issued,
reads: "should have lion head, bear torso, camel hoof,
feather-duster tail, palm-leaf ears, rice teeth, pearly
petal tongue, and movement like a goldfish."
This happy, hardy little dog loves children and
other animals and makes a good housepet suited
to town or country living. It requires a good daily
grooming using a bristle brush, and the topknot is
usually tied with a bow.
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