Shih Tzu Fanciers of Southern CA

SHIH TZU FANCIERS OF SOUTHERN CA

CANADIAN SHIH TZU CLUB

THE SHIH TZU STANDARD

GENERAL APPEARANCE:

The Shih Tzu is an abundantly coated dog with a distinctly Oriental appearance. It is a solid sound little dog that is rather heavy for its size.

TEMPERAMENT:

Shih Tzu are distinctly arrogant with a character all all their own. They are exceptionally good natured, affectionate and intelligent. They are full of life and have an air of importance that cannot be denied.

SIZE:

The Shih Tzu is not a toy dog. This is a smaller type of dog with good bone and substance. Height at withers approximately 9 to 10 1/2 inches (23-27 cm.). Breed type and balance always to be the main consideration.

COLOR & COAT:

A luxurious long, flowing coat with an undercoat. May be slightly wavy but never curly. The coat may be parted from the root o the tail to the back of the skull. The hair on the heat may be tied up to form a topknot. A bow or ribbon to be optional. Coat may be trimmed so as not to interfere with the movement of the dog. All colors are acceptable providing they have black noses, lips and eye rims. The exceptions are the livers and blues, which have pigmentation that compliments that particular color.

HEAD:

Skull round, broad and wide between the eyes with a definite stop. The muzzle is short, square and about one-fifth of the total length of the skull. The muzzle is approximately 1 inch (2-1/2 cm.) from the stop to the tip of the nose. The upward sweep of the front part of the muzzle is directly responsible for the nose placement. The nose leather should be broad and the nostrils well open. Eyes should be large, dark and round, except in livers and blues where the light color is permissible. The eyes should be well set in the skull and the expression should be warm and irresistible. Ear leathers drooping, set just below the crown of the head and so heavily coated that they appear to blend with hair of the neck. Mouth is slightly undershot or level, the bottom jaw is wide and strong. Teeth should not be visible when the mouth is closed.

NECK:

The neck must be in balance with the body length and must also compliment the high tail set and carriage.

FOREQUARTERS:

Shoulders well developed, muscular and well set to allow freedom of movement. The upper arm well laid back, thus allowing for the desired width and depth needed to form a good fore-chest. The legs straight, well boned, set well under the body and fitting closely to the chest. Feet moderate size and well padded.

BODY:

This is not a square dog. The length of the back from the withers to the tail set up be slightly longer than the height from the withers to the ground. Taking into consideration the fore-chest as well as the area behind the tail, The Shih Tzu should appear rectangular in outline. The body should be deep, sturdy and well coupled with a good spring of rib. There should be little or no tuckup of the underline. A good fore-chest is essential to both standing and moving.

HINDQUARTERS:

Strong, muscled, well angulated and in balance with forequarters. Hocks short, sturdy and turning neither in nor out. Feet moderate size and well padded.

TAIL:

Well feathered, set high and carried gaily over the back in a loose curve with the tip just touching he back.

GAIT:

Should be smooth and flowing with the head and tail held high. Extension both front and rear. Front legs should move out of the coat in a straight line, feet turning neither in nor out. Rear legs showing strong rear action displaying full pads on the move. The Shih Tzu has a distinct swagger when on the move that is enhanced by his air of importance.

FAULTS

TEMPERAMENT: Any deviation from the above-mentioned temperament to be considered undesirable.

SIZE: Lack of proper bone and substance.

COAT AND COLOR: Excessive trimming, sparse or wooly coats, missing pigment.

HEAD: Narrow head, lack of stop, pink on nose or eye rims, small or light-colored eyes, eye white showing, missing canines or incisors, lack of strength of underjaw, pinched nostrils, wry mouths, tongue showing when the mouth is closed, wrinkles like a Peke.

FOREQUARTERS: Excessive legginess and crooked legs.

BODY: Lack of fore-chest, narrow, weedy bodies with no bone and substance, high in rear standing or moving. Shih Tzu not adhering to the correct rectangular outline.

HINDQUARTERS: Slipping stifles and luxating hocks, cow hocks.

TAIL: Tails flat on back, pig tails, tails not carried gaily or happily, tails carried sickle like without tip touching back.

GAIT: Lack of reach and drive, bouncing gait, inability to move with tail or head held high.

DISQUALIFICATIONS: Scissors or overshot bites, one or two blue eyes.

CSTC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Randy Street

email: Randy Street rstreet@inf.sympatico.co

Past President: Richard Pacquette

email: wenrick@vianet.on.ca

Vice President: Wendy Carroll

email: panchan98@yahoo.com

Secretary: Joan Horton