Shih Tzu's Fight For Survival

In 1952 Elfreda Evans deliberately bred a Shih Tzu to a Pekingese. This was the "unthinkable," and was not taken well by many. However, Ms. Evans felt there were just too few Shih Tzus available to breed and those that were available were much too large and too inbred. She believed because the Shih Tzu were so closely related they were developing too many faults. One of the greatest moments in Shih Tzu history was in 1963. A Shih Tzu named Champion Ellingham Kala Nag won Best of Breed at Crufts, the most renowned and respected dog show in the United Kingdom. The Shih Tzu began winning hearts all around the world. In spite of its appeal the Shih Tzu was not accepted as a distinct breed by the American Kennel Club until 1955. It was then listed in the Miscellaneous Class. By 1964 there were approximately 400 Shih Tzus registered in the United States. Although much progress had been made, the Pekingese cross did seem to causes a setback for Shih Tzu recognition in the United States. The American Kennel Club would not recognize any of the descendants of the Shih Tzu/Pekingese outcross as purebred Shih Tzu until they were at least four generations removed from the original Shih Tzu/Pekingese mating. We do know, however, that by 1966 there were 15 registered Shih Tzu champions in the United Kingdom that were descendants of Mrs. Evans' Shih Tzu/Pekingese cross. By 1980 the Shih Tzu population were into the thousands and Shih Tzus were being exported to many countries around the world. In 1989 the American Shih Tzu Club developed a more descriptive standard to guide Shih Tzu breeders. Today, in the United States, the Shih Tzu ranks among the ten most popular breeds. It seems as though the Shih Tzu's fight for survival is finally over......