26 Pros and Cons of Owning a Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. Remarkably, these so-called little lion dogs can trace their ancestry back to 1,000 BC in China. The breed as we know it today originated in Tibet rather than China but were sent to Chinese royalty who are believed to have bred them with Pekingnese or Pugs to create the modern-day Shih Tzu. Although the Shih Tzu were popular at the turn of the 20th century, they almost faced extinction during the communist revolution in China. However, the Shih Tzu’s numbers bounced back in the second half of the 20th century thanks to a breeding program that involved seven males and seven females. The AKC rank the Shih Tzu as the 22nd most-popular dog breed in the United States, having first been recognised by the organization in 1969. If you want a dog who... Is small, yet sturdy and strong; Doesn't need much outdoor exercise; Is less yappy than many other toy breeds; Is usually friendly (at least polite) with strangers; Is peaceful with other pets; While not "hypoallergenic", sheds less than many other breeds. A Shih Tzu may be right for you.