JINGDI SHIH TZU

 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 13 th 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 below 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

The Chinese produced pure lines for centuries before the West and documented their practices. Although the Chinese did not have access to Mendel's Laws, there is no doubt they understood the followed careful breeding practices, to produce healthy, sound lines. 

Many books discussing the Little Lions point out that the golds and gold and white Shih Tzu were highly favored. Without question, the Dowager Empress understood color inheritance and the importance of the darker shades of brindle and silver, and of black, to maintain pigmentation. For example,  Hai Ling (Sea Otter), a black solid, was one of her favorite pets, and is the only known photograph of the Empress with a Shih Tzu. 

Shih Tzu means Little Lion in Mandarin Chinese.

The Little Lions are beautiful, proud toy dogs, with a noble heritage and a history shrouded in mystery and Oriental myth. They are revered as Holy Dogs in Buddhism and have been enchanters of Chinese Emperors for centuries. 

Shih Tzu were so highly prized by the Chinese rulers that they lived in the inner court of the Imperial Palaces with the royal families, lounging on beautifully embroidered silk pillows. Little Lions are known as Chrysanthemum Faced Dogs as well. This lovely title was given to them because of how their luxurious facial hair fans out in all directions resembling the petals of a blossom.