Shih Tzu Facts: 10 Fun Facts You May Not Know About The Cozy Dog Breed
Over the past 18 months, many of us have welcomed a new four-legged friend to our homes as the Kennel Club has seen the number of dog owners increase by almost 8% from 2020.
But with 221 different purebred dog breeds to choose from, there is a lot of thought to be done before selecting your perfect puppy.
There’s even academic advice to seek out, with psychologist Stanley Coren’s book “The Intelligence of Dogs” categorizing breeds by instinct, obedience, and adaptability.
One dog that often appears at the top of people’s canine wishlists is the Shih Tzu – they are one of the UK’s most popular breeds and have a range of positive attributes that make them great pets.
Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about the Shih-Tzu.
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The Shih Tzu takes its name from the Chinese word for “lion”. The dog was bred to resemble lions as depicted in traditional oriental art.
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In Mandarin, the Shih Tzu is known as Xi Shi Dog – named after one of the most beautiful women in ancient China. In the UK at the start of the 20th century, they were also known as the Chrysanthemum Dog, and they were also nicknamed the Lion Dog.
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The Shih Tzu originated in Tibet but became very popular in China, where they were prized by the royal family who were said to have received them as gifts from Tibetan monks. The Shih Tzus appear on Chinese tapestries that are over 2,000 years old.
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Celebrity Shih Tzu owners include Nicole Richie, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Colin Farell, and Bill Gates.
Photo: Canva / Getty Images
