The Shih Tzu: breeding for harmful traits (Qualzucht) or not?

With its short muzzle, large bulging eyes and long, dense coat, the Shih Tzu is one of the most striking small dog breeds. But it is precisely these traits that are often associated with health problems. In the blog post series “Breeding for harmful traits (Qualzucht) or not?”, we analyse individual dog breeds: What did the breed originally look like? Which traits are now considered breeding for harmful traits? And are there even healthy representatives of this breed?

Origin and History of the Breed

The Shih Tzu originally comes from Tibet and China and is one of the oldest small dog breeds in Asia. It presumably arose from crosses between the Tibetan Lhasa Apso and small Chinese dogs kept at the imperial court. The name “Shih Tzu” translates as “lion dog” and alludes to the symbolism of the snow lion in Buddhism, which is regarded as a protective spirit.

In contrast to the Pekingese, whose ownership and handling were subject to strict prohibitions in the empire (strangers were not allowed to own or touch a Pekingese), keeping the Shih Tzu at the imperial court was also exclusive and privileged, but not so rigidly regulated. The breed was particularly valued under Empress Dowager Cixi and kept as a companion dog in the palace. These dogs lived in luxury, were pampered and carefully bred.

It was only after the end of the Qing Dynasty and the opening of China in the early 20th century that the first Shih Tzus reached Europe, mainly England, where they quickly became popular as exotic lapdogs. Earlier depictions show that the original Shih Tzu had a longer muzzle, a less extreme head shape and lighter fur. These features enabled it to have more functional health than many modern show lines.

The Breed Today

The modern Shih Tzu is described as a robust, small dog with a short snout, large eyes and long, dense coat. Its muzzle area is often extremely shortened (brachycephalic), the nostrils narrow, the head round and the forehead steep. The eyes are strikingly large and protruding, which fits the dog into the baby schema and makes it appear particularly “cute”.

In addition, some breeding lines have a spine curved upwards (carp back) and legs that are too short, which can lead to strain on the musculoskeletal system.

These features in particular (short muzzle, large eyes, excessively long fur) are considered problematic from an animal welfare perspective, as they can be associated with chronic impairments.

Frequent Health Problems

Many Shih Tzus suffer from complaints that are directly related to their appearance:

• Brachycephalic airway syndrome: shortness of breath due to narrow nostrils, deformed nasal turbinates and overly long soft palates
• Eye problems: dryness, corneal injuries, inflammation due to eyes that are too large and unprotected
• Dental problems: Due to the shortened face, teeth often stand close together and crooked, which promotes tartar and inflammation
• Low heat tolerance: Due to poor breathing, many Shih Tzus overheat quickly in warm weather
• Birthing complications: Due to the head shape, caesarean sections are often required

Depending on the breeding line, these problems vary in severity. Usually more severe in show lines than in moderately bred family lines.

Many owners report a high level of care: the long fur must be brushed daily and cut frequently to avoid tangles. The eyes sometimes require daily care, as do the facial folds. In addition, chronic eye or breathing problems cause considerable veterinary costs. Even sporting activities or summer outings are often only possible to a limited extent. Shih Tzus quickly run out of breath, and their low heat tolerance makes walks in warmer weather a challenge.

Are there any healthy dogs of this breed?

Despite the known problems, there are responsible breeders who deliberately focus on moderate head shape, free airways and robust constitution. In some countries (e.g. Sweden, Netherlands), breeding standards have been adapted to curb extreme features.

There are also approaches to healthier breeding in the private sector, for example among breeders who focus on so-called “Retro Shih Tzus”, with a longer snout and better air circulation. Crosses with related breeds such as Lhasa Apso or Tibetan Spaniel are also occasionally attempted to bring back functional features.

Anyone interested in a Shih Tzu should pay attention to the following points:

• No flat, but slightly protruding muzzle
• No extreme bulging eyes
• Breeding records for airway health and eyes
• Personal meeting with the parent animals
• Stay away from cheap offers or fashion breeding

Shih Tzu: breeding for harmful traits (Qualzucht) or not?

The Shih Tzu is a traditional breed. Many modern breeding forms, however, represent a clear example of breeding for harmful traits (Qualzucht). Particularly in show lines, exaggerated aesthetic features lead to serious health problems.

Nevertheless, there is hope: with responsible breeding and growing awareness among owners, this breed can be kept healthier in the long term. Important here is a clear departure from extreme breeding and the willingness not to accept everything that looks “cute” as healthy.