| It is said that the first Shih-Tzu came from a breeding | | | | breed flourished and gained more recognition |
| of two dogs that were given as gifts to the Imperial | | | | throughout the dog shows of Europe and by the end |
| Court of the Tang Dynasty from the King of Vigur. All | | | | of World War II it had traveled to the shores of the |
| of the dogs used for breeding in the Imperial Courts of | | | | United States. |
| China were always chosen with great care. The line | | | | The Shih Tzu appears quite haughty and rather distant |
| of dogs that descended from this first breeding were | | | | in the show ring. In reality they are a playful and |
| designated with the name Shih-Tzu, meaning "lion" in | | | | energetic dog and get along famously with children, the |
| chinese. | | | | elderly and everyone in between. They make good |
| The first Shih Tzus were brought to England in 1930 | | | | house dogs, being small enough to dwell in an |
| and the breed steadily gained in popularity from that | | | | apartment and not needing an inordinate amount of |
| time. At first they were called "Apsos" but this name | | | | exercise. |
| was changed by the Kennel Club to the Shih-Tzu. The | | | | |