Shih Tzu - For The Love Of Dogs
By Connie Limon, Fri Dec 9th

I have wondered just who are the ancestors of the shih tzu. Likeall other dog breeds, shih tzu ancestors most likely come fromfive choices: Grey Wolf, Golden Jackal, Coyote, African WildDog. It is hard to imagine our little shih tzu baby dolls hasany of these wild characters in their background. According toresearchers, all canines have their roots in one of these fivecategories. I don't think I could ever be in love with a reallive wolf or a coyote. A coyote makes those strange sounding"howls." I have some shih tzu that have a howl sound rather thana bark.  

Out of the five groups, wolves and dogs share 71 of 90 chartedbehavioral patterns, more than any other two canid species. Mythinking is then probably most breeds as we know them today havethe wolf as its ancestor. The fact that the shih tzu hasancestors in the wolf family, however, does not thrill me in theleast. I cannot imagine sharing my bed with a real live wolf.The shih tzu faces are so sweet and innocent. A lot of my shihtzu look like chinese men and women in the face. They do notseem like even "dogs" to me.

The Egyptians had a real talent for taming animals and kept avariety of pets. They probably receive the most credit for thedomestication of the cat, but there were dogs in the Egyptians'homes as well. We can imagine this because of the many caninesthat prance across egyptian tomb paintings. Some of thosecanines have been identified as greyhounds, salukis, pharoahhounds and Ibizan hounds. I have to admit the only one in thisgroup I recognize is the "greyhound." Our shih tzu was not inthis group at all it seems. However, less frequently, werepaintings of small, short-legged dogs, (not our shih tzu) indomestic settings. They could have been the watchdogs for theEgyptians or just simply pets.

The Romans were crazy about dogs and seemed to realize theycould choose dogs to mate based on appearance or behavior anddevelop specific abilities. They had guard dogs and dogs whofought in battles. They had a variety of house dogs includingone that most likely was of the Maltese type.

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The Chinese emperors were quite fond of pets. Their puppies hadhuman nurses and their adult dogs had human servants. ThePekingese exists as a breed at least from the period of A.D.700. They were developed to resemble the spirit lion to ward offevil and bring good luck. The chin were sometimes called "sleevedogs." There are ancient imperial dog cemeteries scattered aboutBeijing in China. Pekingese dogs were very often entombed withtheir emperors. The thing that really amazes me is how the facesof some our shih tzu look like the faces of chinese men andwomen. How did the Chinese accomplish that?

During the 14th Century the Chinese began to recognize the dog'smany functions such as being able to lead the blind.

Henry III of France was noted to have kept at least 2,000 lapdogs, who lived in luxury. Louis XIV spent 200,000 gold francsfor the construction of the royal kennels at Versailles where hekenneled hunting hounds, truffle terriers and toy poodles.Tsuanayoshi of Japan nearly plunged Japan into bankruptcy tofeed his 100,000 dogs. Connie Limon (writer of this article)built her shih tzu a cabin costing around $10,000 and she may beplunged into bankruptcy to feed her dogs......and the list justgoes on and on and on. What people will do "for the love ofdogs" is estounding. It is a bond that sometimes transcends thebond even between humans.

About the author:Connie Limon publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professionalnewsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you andyour pets. Discounts on shih tzu puppies are offered tosubscribers. Current available puppies. Sign up athttp://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

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