In 1979, the breed made its presence felt in the ring when a gold & white U.S. import, PHIL CH SAN YEN KIN-TEKI KA-SUMI won an All Breeds Best in Show.  This was the first big win for the Shih Tzu and the start of many more to come.

     When the PCCI started awarding Grand Championship titles to Philippine Champions who garnered an additional 25 points, a gold & white import from Japan, PHIL CH BENN OF NEW WORLD FOCUS, owned by Johnson Ong became the first Grand Champion for the breed.

     The Shih Tzu's phenomenal rise in popularity came forth under the term of Sylvia Reynoso-Gala, the Club's second President.  Under Mrs. Gala's able leadership, the Club assisted by it's energetic Secretary, Eclid Villarosa embarked on several ambitious projects.  THE BARKER, a brainchild of Eclid started out as a newsletter with information about the breed and details of Club activities. A photo exhibit featuring the Shih Tzu was sponsored by YKL Philippines in co-operation with the Manila Camera Club.  Close to a hundred full color blow ups taken by members of the MCC were put on display at the Manila Peninsula Hotel and major shopping centers around Metro Manila.  Soon Manila's talk of the town was about this new and intriguing breed called the Shih Tzu. 

     Because of the breed's loving personality and irresistible charm, it soon became one of the most sought after among the smaller breeds in this country.  Today the Shih Tzu has maintained it's rank for the last five years as one of the top three most popular breed in terms of dog registration based on the records of the PCCI.

     Originally classified in the Toy Group, the breed was moved to the Non-Sporting Group in 1990 upon the recommendation of the Club to the Board of Directors of the Philippine Canine Club, Inc. (PCCI).  The Club believed that the Shih Tzu belonged in the Non-Sporting Group as it is classified in many countries around the world.  This move gave the breed a more competitive advantage in the Group and Best in Show competition.

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