Rodriguez

If you are thinking about buying a Shih Tzu puppy - congratulations! This adorable and loyal dog will most probably turn out to be an important and treasured part of your family. The Shih Tzu is a toy dog characterized by its proud, sturdy and miniature stature - this dog breed is one particular of the most well-known of the miniature breeds. But did you know it was originally bred to appear like a lion? The Shih Tzu's regal attitude is as a outcome of its extended and distinguished background. Current DNA testing has confirmed what researchers currently suspected - the Shih Tzu is one of the oldest breeds of dog. The name comes from that of Xi Shi who is regarded as 1 of the most gorgeous women in ancient China. The earliest history of the Shih Tzu dates back a lot of centuries. The Buddhist monks bred what is now believed was a cross amongst the Pekingese and a Tibetan dog breed referred to as Llasa Apso. The Buddhist monks were known for breeding specific temple dogs. These monks bred specific "palace dogs" for different emperors. As was their custom they sent some of what they then called the Tibetan Shih Tzu Kou or Tibetan Lion Dogs to the Tzu Hsi - the Empress of the Manchu Dynasty. She fell in love with her little dogs and they became typical about the palace from then on. From the middle of the 19th Century the Shih Tzu was bred as a watchdog for the emperors of the Manchu Dynasty. Common of a Shih Tzu these little dogs were expected to do small else that sit on laps and be pampered. You can now see exactly where the "pampered princess" aspect of the breed originated from! The Shih Tzu was kept along some other toy dog breeds and although initially they had been strictly bred in separate quarters but it is believed that after the empress died they had been crossbred with the other dogs. The Shih Tzu's were not kept separate from the other palace dogs and today's Shih Tzu's have traces of Pekingese and Pugs thanks to the sloppy breeding practices at the palace. http://www.linkedin.com/in/simonarichards At this time it was somewhat of a competitors in China between numerous palaces to create the finest searching dogs with the most stunning colorings and coats. Breeding practices became guarded secrets and sadly the records of the Shi Tzu's wealthy and unique heritage will in no way be recognized. Today's Shih Tzu's are a popular breed which is extensively loved and make a wonderful royal companion.