The Illustrated Guide To The Shih Tzu Standard | Proportion

CONTENTS: Front Cover | Preface | History | Anatomy | Standard | General Appearance | Size, Substance | PROPORTION | Head | Neck, Body | Topline | Tail | Forequarters | Hindquarters | Coat, Trimming, Color, and Markings | Gait






Length between the withers and root of the 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.

CLARIFICATION: – The Shih Tzu should be a rectangular dog not a square dog. When judging whether a dog is of correct proportions, one must train the eye to measure the back from withers to root of tail and compare it to the height of the withers. The correct dog will be longer in back than it is tall. However, when the total length of the Shih Tzu is measured from the breast bone (prosternum) to the point of the rump (pin bone), the Shih Tzu is a rectangular dog. Proper head carriage, tail set and sufficient length of body will also give the desired look of a rectangular dog with a smooth, glowing and effortless gait resulting in the style and carriage so distinctive in ideal dogs