General Appearance

 

The Shih Tzu is a sturdy, lively, and alert toy dog with a long, flowing double coat. Reflecting its noble Chinese heritage as a prized companion and palace pet, the Shih Tzu carries itself with pride, displaying an elegant posture with its head held high and tail curved gracefully over its back. While size can vary, the breed should always be compact and solid, with good weight and substance. Despite being a toy breed, the Shih Tzu must meet the same standards of soundness and structure as all other breeds. Any deviation from these standards should be penalized accordingly. Structural faults common to all breeds are equally undesirable in the Shih Tzu, whether specifically mentioned or not.

 

Size, Proportion, Substance

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• Size: Ideal height at the withers is between 9 to 10½ inches, but not less than 8 inches or more than 11 inches. Ideal weight for mature dogs ranges from 9 to 16 pounds.

• Proportion: The body length (from withers to the base of the tail) should be slightly longer than the height at the withers. The Shih Tzu should not appear overly tall and leggy, nor too short and squatty.

• Substance: Regardless of size, the breed should always be compact, solid, and carry good weight.

 

Head

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• Shape: The head should be round, broad, and wide-set between the eyes, proportionate to the dog's overall size.

• Expression: The Shih Tzu's expression should be warm, sweet, and trusting, with a well-balanced and pleasant look. Grooming should not mislead the true shape or features of the head.

• Eyes: Large, round, dark, and set wide apart, looking straight ahead. Lighter eyes are acceptable in liver and blue-pigmented dogs. Faults include small, closely set, or light-colored eyes, or excessive visible white.

• Ears: Large, set slightly below the crown of the skull, and heavily coated.

• Skull: Domed with a definite stop.

• Muzzle: Square, short, and unwrinkled with good cushioning. It should align with the lower eye rim and measure ideally no longer than 1 inch from the tip of the nose to the stop. The muzzle front should be flat with no protruding or receding chin. Faults include snipiness or lack of a defined stop.

• Nose: Broad with open nostrils. Pigmentation should be black on all colors, except liver for liver-pigmented dogs and blue for blue-pigmented dogs. Faults include pink pigment on the nose, lips, or eye rims.

• Bite: The Shih Tzu should have an undershot bite with a broad, wide jaw. Minor tooth misalignment or a missing tooth should not be overly penalized. Faults include an overshot bite or visible teeth and tongue when the mouth is closed.

 

Neck, Topline, Body

 

The Shih Tzu should be well-balanced with no exaggerated features.

• Neck: Well-set, flowing smoothly into the shoulders, and long enough to allow natural head carriage.

• Topline: Level and steady.

• Body: Sturdy, short-coupled, with no waist or tuck-up. The body should be slightly longer than the height. Faults include excessive legginess.

• Chest: Broad and deep, with ribs extending below the elbow. The distance from the elbow to the withers should be slightly greater than from the elbow to the ground.

• Croup: Flat.

• Tail: Set high, heavily plumed, and carried in a graceful curve over the back. Faults include a tail that is too loose, too tight, too flat, or set too low.

 

Forequarters

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• Shoulders: Well-angulated, laid-back, and blending smoothly into the body.

• Legs: Straight, well-boned, muscular, and set well apart under the chest. Elbows should be close to the body.

• Pasterns: Strong and perpendicular.

• Dewclaws: May be removed.

• Feet: Firm, well-padded, and pointing straight ahead.

 

Hindquarters

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• Hindquarter angulation should balance with the forequarters.

• Legs: Well-boned, muscular, and straight when viewed from the rear. Stifles should be well-bent and aligned with the forequarters.

• Hocks: Perpendicular and well-let-down. Faults include hyperextension of the hocks.

• Dewclaws: May be removed.

• Feet: Firm, well-padded, and pointing straight ahead.

 

Coat

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• Texture: The Shih Tzu's coat is luxurious, dense, double-layered, and long. A slight wave is acceptable. The hair on the head is traditionally tied up.

• Faults: Sparse, single, or curly coats are undesirable.

• Trimming: Grooming for neatness on the feet, bottom of the coat, and around the anus is permitted. Excessive trimming is penalized.

 

Color and Markings

 

All colors and patterns are permissible and should be considered equally.

 

Gait

 

The Shih Tzu should move smoothly and effortlessly, with a flowing stride that shows good reach in the front and strong drive in the rear. The topline should remain level, with the head held high and the tail carried in a gentle curve over the back. The dog should be shown at its natural speed to display its natural movement.

 

Temperament

 

As a devoted companion and house pet, the Shih Tzu's temperament should be outgoing, happy, affectionate, friendly, and trusting toward everyone.

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Approved May 9, 1989 by the AKC American Kennel Club, effective June 29, 1989