Shih Tzu, or the Lion Dog as it is popularly known, comes in a variety of colors. A very friendly dog, the Shih Tzu is a small dog breed that likes to chase cats and dig the ground. The Shih Tzu owners are delighted by its friendly and mischievous nature. This dog has been a part of royalty as well so handle it with care.
Hailing from China and Tibet, this dog enjoys popularity like no other. The dog seems to stand out from other breeds and gets a lot of attention. Complementing this is the dog’s mischievous nature that draws more attention to it. There are many fascinating stories about the Shih Tzu dog. Here are five facts about the dog that’ll make you fall in love with it.
Thousands of Years Old
While the documentation of the dog is only a thousand years old, the actual data about its presence predates to 1000 BC. Impressive, right? And they remain gorgeous like they used to be before! Do your research on other dog breeds and you will come to know that this is indeed an impressive number.
Originate from Tibet
Did you know that the Shih Tzu actually originates from Tibet? Commonly known as a Chinese dog, it actually hails from Tibet that used to be a sovereign land. Today, Tibet is a part of China. In olden times, the Tibetan royalty used to gift the dog to the Chinese emperor’s since it was seen as quite prestigious.
Meaning of the Name
It is no wonder that the Shih Tzu is known as the Lion Dog. The actual name of the breed also translates to the little lion. If you look closely at the Shih Tzu, you will see a lot of hair covering the face. And the posture that this mischievous dog maintains is also quite similar to a lion. The dog is also associated with the Buddhist God of learning.
Chrysanthemum-faced Dogs
Since the hair on the dog’s face grows in every direction, they are also referred to as Chrysanthemum-faced dogs. The funny part is that the hair even covers their eyes. No wonder it must be difficult for them to see at times. I mean, all the hairs are sometimes unlikeable as well. They probably need a haircut every now and then.
14 Dogs Saved the Breed
During the communist revolution, they were wiped out. A world-renowned breeder actually died during this time and there was no one to take care of this royal breed. However, later on, 14 dogs contributed to their revival, seven females and seven males. Thanks to them, so so many Shih Tzu dog colors are still available. And the dogs are still carrying their old royalty and grace. Had it not been for these 14 dogs, the breed would have definitely gone extinct. Unfortunately, many animal species have gone extinct due to hunting and natural disasters. Thankfully, the Shih Tzu survived.
How do you feel after reading the above fascinating things about the Shih Tzu breed? I bet you didn’t know about them before. Well, now that you do, do you feel in awe? This dog is really friendly, cute, and small. Read about more fascinating facts about this dog on the web. You will come to know more. If you are already a dog owner of this breed then you know your dog better. However, if you were just researching, I hope this article increased your knowledge of the Shih Tzu breed.
