Size, Proportion, Substance - Size -
Ideally, height at withers is 9 - 10 1/2 inches; but, not less than
8 inches nor more than 11 inches. Ideally, weight of mature dogs, 9
- 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
the 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 techniques. Eyes - Large, round, not prominent, places
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, al- though 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: Snippiness,
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.
Neckline, 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-ribs, 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
tail is undesirable and should be penalized to extent of deviation. Forequarters
- Shoulder - 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 t 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 - 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.
AKC approved 1989, effective 1989