| In 1952 Elfreda Evans deliberately bred a Shih Tzu to a | | | | Pekingese cross did seem to causes a setback for |
| Pekingese. This was the "unthinkable," and was not | | | | Shih Tzu recognition in the United States. The |
| taken well by many. However, Ms. Evans felt there | | | | American Kennel Club would not recognize any of the |
| were just too few Shih Tzus available to breed and | | | | descendants of the Shih Tzu/Pekingese outcross as |
| those that were available were much too large and | | | | purebred Shih Tzu until they were at least four |
| too inbred. She believed because the Shih Tzu were | | | | generations removed from the original Shih Tzu |
| so closely related they were developing too many | | | | Pekingese mating. We do know, however, that by |
| faults. | | | | 1966 there were 15 registered Shih Tzu champions in |
| One of the greatest moments in Shih Tzu history was | | | | the United Kingdom that were descendants of Mrs. |
| in 1963. A Shih Tzu named Champion Ellingham Kala | | | | Evans' Shih Tzu/Pekingese cross. |
| Nag won Best of Breed at Crufts, the most renowned | | | | By 1980 the Shih Tzu population were into the |
| and respected dog show in the United Kingdom. The | | | | thousands and Shih Tzus were being exported to |
| Shih Tzu began winning hearts all around the world. | | | | many countries around the world. In 1989 the American |
| In spite of its appeal the Shih Tzu was not accepted | | | | Shih Tzu Club developed a more descriptive standard |
| as a distinct breed by the American Kennel Club until | | | | to guide Shih Tzu breeders. Today, in the United |
| 1955. It was then listed in the Miscellaneous Class. By | | | | States, the Shih Tzu ranks among the ten most |
| 1964 there were approximately 400 Shih Tzus | | | | popular breeds. |
| registered in the United States. | | | | It seems as though the Shih Tzu's fight for survival is |
| Although much progress had been made, the | | | | finally over...... |