Tibetan dogs, such as the Shih Tzu, very first ancestors are the Gobi Desert Kitchen Midden Dog, dating back to over 10,000 years ago. This dog was quite wild and most were untamed. Eventually, a new breed evolved from the Gobi Desert Kitchen Midden Dog, which was called the Small Soft-Coated Drop-Eared Hunting Dog.
What did Shih Tzus descend from?
The Shih Tzu (UK: /ˌʃiːˈtsuː/, US: /ˈʃiːtsuː/; Chinese: 西施犬; pinyin: Xī Shī quǎn literally "Hsi Shih dog") is a toy dog breed originating from Tibet and having been bred from the Pekingese and the Lhasa Apso.
What is a Shih Tzu related to?
Lhasa Apso The first dog on our list has to be the Lhasa Apso. It takes a discerning eye to tell the difference between the Lhasa Apso and the Shih Tzu. Both breeds have ancient Tibetan heritage, long silky coats, and are small dogs.
What two breeds make a Shih Tzu?
Shih Tzus were originally a cross between Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese and were brought from Tibet to China as a gift for Chinese emperors.
Are Shih Tzus descended from wolves?
Although this breed looks nothing similar to wolves and other wild canids, the Shih Tzu is genetically one of the domestic breeds most closely related to wolves. It is thought that this companion breed originated in China around 800 BC.
Where do Shih Tzus come from?
This small dog breed is generally accepted to have originated in China, with an ancestry of Tibetan dog breeds. The ancestors of the modern Shih Tzu are thought to have originated from Tibet as early as 600 AD and are believed to be one of the oldest dog breeds in the world today.
Are Shih Tzus the ancestors of the Tibetan Holy Dogs?
While the truth of their origin is still uncertain, what is generally accepted is that the Tibetan holy dogs are the ancestors of today’s Shih Tzu. We all love a fascinating story and the Shih Tzu is certainly one of those good, hard to believe magical ones that leave us wondering if it could possibly be true.
How old is the oldest Shih Tzu?
Shih Tzus are over 1,000 years old. Believe it or not, Shih Tzus are one of the oldest dog breeds that’s still in existence today. In fact, the Shih Tzu has a recorded history that dates back 1,000 years in Tibet. This means that these dogs are at least 1,000 years old!
When did the first Shih Tzu come to the UK?
The first dogs of the breed were imported into Europe ( England and Norway) in 1930 and were classified by the Kennel Club as "Apsos". The first European standard for the breed was written in England in 1935 by the Shih Tzu Club, and the dogs were categorised again as Shih Tzu.
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Are Shih Tzus closely related to wolves?What breeds make up a Shih Tzu?
