Shih tzu
FCI:
Shih-tzu Group IX. - Companion and Toy Dogs.
General Appearance:
Its character is a faithful, obedient, alert, smart, insightful and honest dog despite of its size surprising it is courageous. Under all circumstances, it begins boldly, does not cause conflicts, but it is always ready to defend to the last drop of blood, even an opponent much larger than this breed, even if it costs it its health and even its life, nothing that mentions as a nickname "Samurai dog". For absolute fearlessness it was also used for hunting deer and bears.
It's a maverick, very independent, never slavishly obedient, but it can also be very sociable, cheerful, playful and creative while playing. It is like the centre of attention and cannot miss anything that's happening around. It is an excellent guard. Promptly notifies all unusual loud barking.
It is very curious for a long time able to monitor (e.g. from windows) intently surrounding events. Therefore, it should always have access to the apartment window, but rather a closed or otherwise secure.
About walks etc., it is extremely flexible. If the owner has little time to it is enough short walk or long walk is welcoming too. It is suitable for people tolerant and calm, able to respect his individuality.
Temperament & Behaviour:
By some owners is not a simple for training, the question remains whether the selected educational and training methods there are always adequate to dog´s character. Positive motivation is essential in education and training, for every success it is good praise, but also a tangible taste. It is not a breed suitable for everyone. It needs enough space for reviling its intelligence and quirky individuality.
Body:
It's small, perfectly balanced dog strong constitution, strong skeleton with a relatively powerful muscles. Height at withers relates to body length as 10: 11, short body frame is rectangular. Height at withers, male 40 cm and female about 37 cm with a tolerance (both sexes) + / - 1.5 cm.
The nasal dorsum should be straight. Desirable is black nose. The teeth must be strong; it requires a scissor bite. Eyes should be fairly small, triangular in shape, with dark brown coloured irises. The outer eye corners are slightly higher than the inside. The earlobes should be fairly small, triangular in shape, turned forward and firmly pricked.
Chest deep, with properly sprung ribs. The tail is high, thick, carried up tightly curled or curved sickle over the back and shoulders. If it is drawn down, reaching almost to the tip of hock.
Feet are tight, sufficiently arched toes with rigid and flexible padded and fixed, if possible dark-coloured claws.
The body coat consists of a top coat - should be rough and straight and the undercoat that is soft and dense. On the tail hair is slightly longer and wispy. Colouration may be red, black and tan, called sesame (consisting of a uniform mixture of white and black guard hairs), black sesame (made up a greater proportion of black than white guard hairs) and red sesame (consisting of a uniform mixture of red and black guard hairs). All colours must coat the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, jaw, throat and chest, abdomen, underside of the tail and the inside of the legs whitish colour.
Faults include overshot or undershot jaw, missing a large number of teeth, shyness, aggression or fearfulness, earlobes differently than carried erect, tail hanging or short.
