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 author's 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 1930's 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 d'Anjou, 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