SHIH TZU FANCIERS OF SOUTHERN CA

History of the Shih Tzu

No one really knows where the Shih Tzu originated. Up until a few years ago, it was thought that the breeding programs in the Far East were the propriety of the Tibetan Monks. The Lhasa Apso, Pug, Pekinese, and Shih Tzu were all believed to be Tibetan, and made their way to China as royal tribute from the Monks.  However, some years ago, canine bones were excavated and carbon dated, proving conclusively that Maltese type dogs were present in China as early as 8,000 B.C. establishing the Chinese had breeding programs exclusive from the Tibetans. Since it has already been proven the Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso are separate breeds, and considering the unusually high status the Shih Tzu have held in China over the centuries, it is reasonable to assume the Chinese are responsible for Shih Tzu.  

Physical proof of an existing Shih Tzu type appears in documents, paintings and art objects from the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The dogs appear again between 990-994 in documents, a few paintings and carvings. In the 13th century, Marco Polo reported Emperor Kubla Khan had small "lion" dogs housed with trained hunting lions. The dogs were not lunch but companions to the lions, keeping them calm when they were not hunting. 

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Shih Tzu type dogs were favored by the royal families. Eunuchs were charged with the duties of breeding and rearing the beautiful royal pets. Several documents mention that the Little Lion Dogs or "chrysanthemum faced ones,"  were small, intelligent, docile, and unquestionably resembled a lion. The Lion Dog Pagoda at right was said to have been used by the court eunuchs to exercise the Little Lion Dogs of the Imperial Palace.

Although there doesn't seem to be much mention of the Chrysanthemum Faced Ones from the 1700's to the early 1900s, many pieces of art that made their way to the west have happy, small shaggy dogs carved and painted. The Shih Tzu gained great popularity in the Imperial Court after the royal concubine became the Empress of China in 1861. One of new the Empress Tzu Hai's first royal edicts concerned palace dogs. Under pain of death, none of them were to be tortured. 

It was widely known that the Empress had a great love for animals. To ensure her animals would receive the treatment she expected, she wisely put her chief eunuch in charge of the palace breeding program, under her royal eye. This plan would keep the eunuchs in line as well as protect her beloved animals. Shih Tzu were already living in the palaces, but it is unknown their size, quality, color or position with the royal family. It is known that as tribute to the "Old Buddha" shortly after she became Imperial Ruler of China, the Dalai Lama presented her a pair of magnificent Shih Tzu. This pair became the foundation of Dowager Empress' Imperial Palace Little Lion Dogs.