| There has been opinions that the Tibetan Lion Dog is | | | | have been kept separate now for many years. A |
| the result of a cross between the Lhassa Terrier and | | | | suggestion to help distinquish the two breeds from one |
| the Pekingese. The dogs of each country, the Lhassa | | | | another is to always show the Shih Tzu with the long |
| Terrier from Tibet and the Pekingese from China had | | | | sweep of hair on the top of the head tied with a |
| been taken to the other country from time to time. The | | | | rubber band into a top knot, the hair above the head |
| cross in Tibet that was taken out of that country | | | | then fanning out into a "palm tree." The Apso has its |
| through India has been called the Apso, while the | | | | long hair of the head styled as parted n the center, |
| Chinese cross has more of the Pekingese. It is the | | | | then mingling with the ear featherings. |
| opinion of some that all these breeds were interbred to | | | | The fact that both Shih Tzu and the Lhasa Apso have |
| create the first Shih Tzu in China. | | | | common ancestry is highly probable according to all |
| When first Shih Tzu imported into England in 1930, the | | | | the documentations found in our history of the two |
| Shih Tzu were classified as Apsos. The two breeds | | | | breeds. However, one should continually look for and |
| were distinguished as separate in 1934. | | | | appreciate the subtleties of the different |
| The Shih Tzu of Scandinavian background were in an | | | | characteristics of Chinese Shih Tzu and Tibetan Apso. |
| even different category during this same time period. It | | | | They have become two quite distinctly different |
| is not documented anywhere of any of the Shih Tzu | | | | breeds. |
| Scandinavian lines being mistaken for Lhasa Apso, | | | | The earliest "Lion Dog" in Tibet were probably |
| even after importation into the United States. Their | | | | long-haired and small and somewhat similar to the |
| appearance was so different of the Lhasa Apso that | | | | Maltese in type. As the cultural and religious ties |
| there was no likelihood of confusing the Scandinavian | | | | between Tibet and China flowed over the centuries, |
| Shih Tzu lines with the Lhasa Apso. | | | | the exchange of dogs no doubt became mutual |
| There was a considerable amount of fear expressed | | | | between them. The Chinese have been most certainly |
| by the British Shih Tzu Club of potential "disastrous" | | | | known to interbred their small dogs, of which were |
| crossbreedings in the United States. They encouraged | | | | more varieties than the Shih Tzu, with the long-haired |
| future American purchasers to avoid any further | | | | Tibetans, and something similar occurred in Tibet |
| confusion between the Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso in | | | | without much reason to doubt this fact. |
| the U.S.A. | | | | Again, however, I want to emphasize here: The |
| The American Shih Tzu Club code of ethics plainly | | | | crossbreedings mentioned in this article is a part of our |
| states that crossbreeding a Shih Tzu with any other | | | | past Shih Tzu History. The Present Day American Shih |
| breed, whether it be with Lhasa Apso or the | | | | Tzu Club's Code of Ethics clearly states that |
| Pekingese breed, is strictly prohibited. This code of | | | | crossbreeding a Shih Tzu with any other breed, is |
| ethics should be adhered to by all Shih Tzu Purebred | | | | strictly prohibited and against the Shih Tzu Purebred |
| Breeders. | | | | Ethics for a Shih Tzu Breeder of the Purebred Shih |
| The two breeds of the Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu | | | | Tzu. We must all adhere to this Code of Ethics. |