Shih Tzu The Hotly Contested Question Of Shih Tzu Size Part III
There
is a highly important article
presented by
a Norweigan
Shih Tzu fancier
of which the authors name
is not given. It is
thought to be almost certain, however,
the article
was written by Dr. Walter
Young, author
of Some Canine Breeds
of Asia.
The article
was published
in Peiping shortly before
the first Peking Kennel Club
Show. The articles
states: at
least as common as good Pekingese
in Peiping are
the Tibetans,
the shock-headed
long-coated little
dogs which came
to China during
the Manchu
dynasty as gifts from the grand lamas
at Lhasa. The
writer continues
to say: it is a novel little breed, and complained at
that time, no effort is made to distinguish
what is quite
evidently two distinct types, one
considerably larger and higher on the leg than the other.
These types of dogs described as being considerably larger and higher on the leg than the other
were commonly bred by Chinese fanciers and sold
in the
dog markets on fair days. The writer placed
these dogs as ones
who must be
in the
non-sporting group, and admitted there was much confusion
about the breed, and even in those days, was
very inaccurate information being spread about the different sizes of the
Shih Tzu. The article does confirm the theory regarding the existence of two types of
Shih Tzu in Peking, at least as far as the 1930s were
concerned: one of a very small variety, in
size more or less similar to the
Pekingese, the other larger and apparently closely resembling what we now call the Apso, although
smaller, and
with shorter legs. The writer was also aware of many cases of crossing of
Shih Tzu and Pekingese.
When Princess Der Ling came to Peking and shared
her knowledge with the Countess dAnjou, the full
truth about the palace dogs of old began to emerge. Peking fanciers began to do
their best to restore to the Shih Tzu something of the imperial grandeur which had been its birthright in happier days. The Japanese occupation of Peking in the summer of 1937 which was followed by the attack on Pearl Harbor 4 years later, brought
an end to their hopes and dreams.
Some very valuable information regarding Shih Tzu
size and weight is in the
form of a personal letter, dated
May, 1955, written by the Countess dAnjou to Mrs. L.G. Widdrington,
leading English fancier and widely recognized authority on palace lion dog history. The
letter in its entirety can be found in the American Shih Tzu News of March,
1967. The standard that was made out
for France set weight limits for the Shih Tzu of 11-22 pounds. The
whole standard is also
said to have
met with the complete approval of two other French fanciers from pre-Pearl Harbor Peking. It is highly
unlikely either of
them knew nearly as much about the breeds history as the Countess. The available evidence suggest their experience of Shih Tzu
dates from the confused period before the Princess Der Ling arrived in Peking to bring to light the full truth about the Imperial Lion Dogs as
she had known them in the palace.
The Countess went on in
her letter to make it quite clear that
she was far from happy about the weight limits permitted.
She had accepted them against her better judgement. She did not regard such a weight
range as historically correct or even as desirable. The Countesss letter to Mrs. Widdrington states: Yes, I did think the Shih Tzu too big in England. They really should be
under 12 pounds. In fact, there were two classes in Peking, up to 12 pounds (which would include our little 6 pound teacups today) and over 12 pounds were judged separately. They never had the big ones in the Imperial Palace
Presently, the American Kennel Club standard for size does not regard the weight of under
9 pounds as being appropriate for the ideal Shih Tzu, and to be accepted by the American Kennel Club show
ring competitions.
This size is not allowed in the AKC show ring. All
who love this size, must accept this fact as it is.
However, we must also face the facts that these
smaller size Shih Tzu are the
result of days gone-by breeding practices. It is not at
all true that the smaller Shih Tzu are
sickly or have greater health problems than the larger Shih Tzu. It is not at all true that breeders who produce the smaller size Shih Tzu are
guilty of being irresponsible,
in-breeding and line-breeding with close relatives to obtain the small size, and doing just about anything to get these small sizes for the sake of more money.
Shih Tzu
puppies from the standard size Shih Tzu show ring requirements are priced at much higher prices and are capable of having just as many, if not more, health problems
due to the fact that
anytime animals are bred to meet a specific weight, look and requirement, a type has to be set in. Type is set in by in-breeding and line-breeding. Negative attributes, such as any health problems in the bloodlines are passed onto
offspring just as the positive
attributes of those that make a Shih Tzu
beautiful for the Showring.
This article is
FREE to publish with resource box.
Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus
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September's UK Horse Racing With Tips From Malcolm Heyhoe
Punters are
in for a busy
time of it
in September as
the Flat racing season
moves swiftly
into its autumn phase
starting with
the William Hill Sprint Cup, a Group1 contest over six furlongs
at Haydock on Saturday September 2.
Class
has traditionally
been the defining factor in this well-contested sprint course
and its therefore no surprise
to see horses that have run well in
the Group1
July Cup featuring
again over
the sharp six furlongs
at the Lancashire course.
Weather permitting,
the imperious Iffaaj should take all
the beating
if he turns out
at the Lancashire course after an unlucky second to Les Arcs in
the July Cup. Arguably the best sprinter in Europe right now, the Godolphin-trained colt wont want the ground too soft if hes to turn out at the Lancashire course.
In his
absence the Jeremy Noseda-trained
Soldiers Tale would hold
strong claims. He
is less ground dependent than Iffraaj
and after a lengthy
absence his connections are
hopeful that she
can return to the fray in winning form at Haydock
Park. Nunthorpe hero Reverence is another to consider if he can
harness his sublime talents to the longer trip.
If its September then racings rolling caravan must
be in Yorkshire
for the
St Leger, the worlds oldest
classic which normally takes place at Doncaster. This time around the latter venue is being thankfully re-built at enormous cost
and as a consequence the Leger meeting has been shoe-horned into two days at York - September 8 and 9 -
instead of the usual four days.
This is no bad thing given the
dodgy state of the ground on the
Knavesmire and it will
be relief when racing returns at Doncaster for 2008.
Staged over a mile and six furlongs, the St Leger calls for
stamina, courage and class in a prospective winner. A select field of eight
or nine are likely to
go to post and the hot favourite, Sixties Icon
holds strong claims.
Hes looked a class apart from most of his rivals when waltzing away with the
Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last time, a
race which is an acknowledged
trial for the St
Leger. Of the rest, the Mick Channon-trained Youmzain showed fine speed to land the Great Voltigeur Stakes at the Ebor meeting
but that piece of form doesnt looks as strong as the Goodwood success of Sixties Icon.
The Tote Portland Handicap on September 8 is the big handicap race of the
truncated Leger fixture and could go the way of the Stuart Williams-trained Hogmaneigh, an easy winner at Sandown last time who could well take in this race en
route to a crack at the Ayr
Gold Cup later in the month. Anna Pavlova is also a name to look out for in the Park Hill Stakes, a Group race for fillies on the same day.
Over at Leopardstown on September 9 the Baileys
Irish Champion Stakes takes place at Leopardstown, and is one of the better clashes of the generations run over a mile and half all season. This time around all eyes will
be upon Dylan Thomas as he bids to put a dreadful effort in the Juddmonte International at York behind him over a course that he has won over previously.
The following week racing heads north of the border or the three fine days of the Ayr Western Meeting and the Ayr Gold Cup, the richest spring handicap in Europe is the feature on Saturday September 16.
This
years race, which has been landed in four out of the past five seasons by trainer Dandy Nicholls, features not one runner from the Nicholls yard after an administrative error meant that no horse from the
stable was entered for the great spring contest. The air must surely have turned the deepest blue above the Nicholls yard on the day this blunder was discovered.
Still northern trainers, who tend to do better in this race than
their southern
counterparts, will be gunning to
secure the valuable prize once again with Stewards Cup hero, Borderlescott sure to be among the leading fancies while Kevin
Ryans Mutamared holds good claims and Ian Semples
Scottish raider, Appalachian Trail is another for the short-list.
Remember too that is a
poor race for three-year-olds who
often struggle in the large fields against their more experienced and
older rivals.
Over at Newbury on the same day as the Ayr Gold Cup theres the
always informative and influential Cambridgeshire trial in the shape of the 100,000 John Smiths Handicap which is required viewing for
any prospective Cambridgeshire backers. Last years winner of the latter race, Blue Monday, was just touched off at Newbury and this years race may again supply the winner of the first leg of the autumn double.
On a
cracking days racing Leopardstown also stages the Irish St Leger, the only classic run outside of Britain this month and this should provide the fast-improving stayer Yeats with a golden opportunity to add to his
Ascot and Goodwood Cup successes. Its had to see any horse being god enough to lower this ones colours.
On September 23 its the chance for the top milers to
strut their stuff in the Group1 Queen Elizabeth 11 Stakes at the newly
re-vamped Ascot. George Washingtons eclipse at the
hands of the workmanlike Caradak in a muddling Celebration Mile at Goodwood represented the low point of three-year-old fortunes against the older horses and it will
Be interesting to see whether the 2,000 Guineas hero can come good again in the Ascot showpiece.
This years classic generation has been
wretched in competition with their elders and the Godolphin
team will be hopeful of landing a fourth Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the past decade with their fast-improving Deauville winner,
Librettist. A multiple winner this season, he should again go well now that hes shown he can cut it at the top level.
Newmarket is the final port of call in September for three days of the Cambridgeshire meeting on the Rowley Mile. Those
keen to glean further Classic clues for 2007 will be hoping that Jeremy Nosedas star filly
Sander Camillo turns up for the Cheveley Park Stakes for
two-year-old fillies on September
28 while a day later the Prix Morny winner Dutch Art might will most likely be in action with the juvenile colts for the Middle Park Stakes. Whatever the final nature of the fields for
races, the outcome of both contests could well have a significant bearing upon next seasons spring Classics.
A cracking months racing comes to an exiting close with the totesport Cambridgeshire on September 30 and there can be no better handicap run all season than this one mile and a furlong contest. Recent York winner Smart Enough looks a likely sort as does his fellow three-year-old Sir Gerard while of the older generation Fairmile makes plenty of
appeal after a luckless defeat at Haydock in August.
Malcolm Heyhoe writes weekly horse racing articles for
http://www.gg.com
