The ancestry of the Shih Tzu is rather obscure, but it is probable that the breed is primarily of Tibetan origin. The history of the Tibetan "Lion Dogs" is interwoven with the tenets of Buddhism, which originated in India. The lion was closely associated with Buddhism, but the lion was not indigenous to China, so the Chinese and the Tibetan lamas bred their toy dogs to resemble lions. The Shih Tzu (whose name means "lion" and is properly pronounced "sheed sue") is reputed to have been the oldest and smallest variety of the Tibetan "holy dogs" and bears some similarity to other Tibetan breeds. For much of the long and illustrious history of China, the breeding of the small "Lion Dog" was a favorite pastime of succeeding imperial rulers.

     Returning military personnel brought some of the first Shih Tzu into the United States during the late 1940s and 1950s and began breeding programs. The unique beauty and outstanding temperament of this "new" breed quickly found favor with the fancy. From the first day of formal AKC recognition, the Shih Tzu catapulted from a relatively unknown breed to one of the most glamorous and popular of all canine companions.

On September 1, 1969, the American Kennel Club accepted the Shih Tzu as its 116th recognized breed (at that time, there were only about 3,000 Shih Tzu in the national registry!) In both 2001 and 2002, the Shih Tzu was the #10 most popular breed in the U.S. according to AKC registration statistics.

The AKC Breed Standard (by which Shih Tzu are officially judged in Conformation competition) says:

     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.