|
AKC Show Quaility
Standards
The Shih Tzu is a sturdy, lively, alert toy dog with long flowing double coat. Befitting
his noble Chinese ancestry as a highly valued, prized companion and palace pet, the Shih Tzu
is proud of bearing, has a distinctively arrogant carriage with head well up and tail curved
over the back. Although there has always been considerable size variation, the Shih Tzu must
be compact, solid, carrying good weight and substance.
Even though a toy dog, the Shih Tzu must be subject to the same requirements of soundness and
structure prescribed for all breeds, and any deviation from the ideal described in the
standard should be penalized to the extent of the deviation. Structural faults common to all
breeds are as undesirable in the Shih Tzu as in any other breed, regardless of whether or not
such faults are specifically mentioned in the standard.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size Ideally, height at withers is 9 to 101/2 inches; but, not less than 8 inches nor more
than 11 inches. Ideally, weight of mature dogs, 9 to 16 pounds. Proportion Length between
withers and root of tail is slightly longer than height at withers. The Shih Tzu must never
be so high stationed as to appear leggy, nor so low stationed as to appear dumpy or squatty.
Substance Regardless of size, the Shih Tzu is always compact, solid and carries good weight
and substance.
Head
Head Round, broad, wide between eyes, its size in balance with the overall size of dog being
neither too large nor too small. Fault: Narrow head, close-set eyes. Expression
Warm, sweet, wide-eyed, friendly and trusting. An overall well-balanced and pleasant
expression supersedes the importance of individual parts. Care should be taken to look
and examine well beyond the hair to determine if what is seen is the actual head and
expression rather than an image created by grooming technique. Eyes Large, round, not
prominent, placed well apart, looking straight ahead. Very dark. Lighter on liver pigmented
dogs and blue pigmented dogs. Fault: Small, close-set or light eyes; excessive eye
white.Ears Large, set slightly below crown of skull; heavily coated. Skull Domed.
Stop There is a definite stop. Muzzle Square, short, unwrinkled, with good
cushioning, set no lower than bottom eye rim; never downturned. Ideally, no longer than 1
inch from tip of nose to stop, although length may vary slightly in relation to overall size
of dog. Front of muzzle should be flat; lower lip and chin not protruding and definitely
never receding.Fault: Snipiness, lack of definite stop. Nose Nostrils are broad,
wide, and open. Pigmentation Nose, lips, eye rims are black on all colors, except liver
on liver pigmented dogs and blue on blue pigmented dogs. Fault: Pink on nose, lips, or
eye rims. Bite Undershot. Jaw is broad and wide. A missing tooth or slightly
misaligned teeth should not be too severely penalized. Teeth and tongue should not show
when mouth is closed. Fault: Overshot bite.
Neck, Topline, Body
Of utmost importance is an overall well-balanced dog with no exaggerated features.
Neck Well set-on flowing smoothly into shoulders; of sufficient length to permit natural
high head carriage and in balance with height and length of dog. Topline Level. Body
Short-coupled and sturdy with no waist or tuck-up. The Shih Tzu is slightly longer
than tall. Fault: Legginess. Chest Broad and deep with good spring-of-rib, however, not
barrel-chested. Depth of ribcage should extend to just below elbow. Distance from elbow to
withers is a little greater than from elbow to ground. Croup Flat. Tail Set on high,
heavily plumed, carried in curve well over back. Too loose, too tight, too flat, or too low
set a tail is undesirable and should be penalized to extent of deviation.
Forequarters
Shoulders Well-angulated, well laid-back, well laid-in, fitting smoothly into body. Legs
Straight, well-boned, muscular, set well-apart and under chest, with elbows set close to
body. Pasterns Strong, perpendicular. Dewclaws May be removed. Feet Firm, well-padded, point
straight ahead.
Hindquarters
Angulation of hindquarters should be in balance with forequarters. Legs Well-boned,
muscular, and straight when viewed from rear with well-bent stifles, not close set but in
line with forequarters. Hocks Well let down, perpendicular. Fault: Hyperextension
of hocks. Dewclaws May be removed. Feet Firm, well-padded, point straight ahead.
Coat
Luxurious, double-coated, dense, long, and flowing. Slight wave permissible. Hair on top of
head is tied up. Fault: Sparse coat, single coat, curly coat. Trimming Feet, bottom of
coat, and anus may be done for neatness and to facilitate movement. Fault: Excessive
trimming.
Color and Markings
All are permissible and to be considered equally.
Gait
The Shih Tzu moves straight and must be shown at its own natural speed, neither raced nor
strung-up, to evaluate its smooth, flowing, effortless movement with good front reach and
equally strong rear drive, level topline, naturally high head carriage, and tail carried in
gentle curve over back.
Temperament
As the sole purpose of the Shih Tzu is that of a companion and house pet, it is essential
that its temperament be outgoing, happy, affectionate, friendly and trusting towards all.
Approved May 9, 1989 by the AKC American Kennel Club
Effective June 29, 1989 |
