"The Australian Breed Standard Of The Shih Tzu"
The breed standard is what all show dogs are judged upon
General Appearance: Sturdy, abundantly coated dog with distinctly arrogant carriage and chrysanthemum-like face.
Characteristics: Intelligent, active and alert.
Temperament: Friendly and independent.
Head and Skull: Head broad, round and wide between the eyes. Shock-headed with hair falling well over the eyes. Good beard and whiskers, hair growing upwards on the nose giving a distinctly chrysanthemum-like effect. Muzzle of ample width, short, square, not wrinkled, flat and hairy. Nose black, but dark liver in liver or liver marked dogs and about 2.5cm (1inch) from tip to definite stop. Nose level or slightly tip-tilted. Top of nose leather should be on a line with or slightly below the lower eye rim. Wide open nostrils. Down pointed nose highly undesirable, as are pinched nostrils. Pigmentation on muzzle as unbroken as possible.
Eyes: Large, dark, round, well placed apart but not prominent. Warm expression. In liver or liver marked dogs, lighter eye colour is permissible. No white of eye showing.
Ears: Large, with long leathers, carried drooping. Set slightly below crown of the skull, so heavily coated that they appear to blend with the hair of the neck.
Mouth: Wide, slightly undershot or level. Lips level.
Neck: Well proportioned, nicely arched. Sufficient length to carry head proudly.
Forequarters: Shoulders well laid back. Legs short and muscular with ample bone, as straight as possible, consistent with broad chest being well let down.
Body: Longer between withers and root of tail than height at withers, well coupled and sturdy, chest broad and deep, shoulders firm, back level.
Hindquarters: Legs short and muscular with ample bone. Straight when viewed from the rear. Thighs well rounded and muscular. Legs look massive on account of wealth of hair.
Feet: Rounded, firm and well padded, appearing big on account of the wealth of hair.
Tail: Heavily plumed carried gaily well over back. Set on high. Height approximately level with that of skull to give a balanced outline.
Gait/Movement: Arrogant, smooth flowing, front legs reaching well forward, strong rear action and showing full pad.
Coat: Long, dense, not curly, with good undercoat. Slight wave permitted. Strongly recommended that hair on head be tied up.
Colour: All colours are permissible, white blaze on forehead and white tip to tail are highly desirable in particolours
Weight and Size: 4.5 - 8.1kg (10 - 18lbs). Ideal weight 4.5 - 7.3 kg (10 - 16 lbs). Height at withers not more than 26.7 cm (10 ½ inches). Type and breed characteristics are of the utmost importance and are on no account to be sacrificed to size alone.
Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
NOTE: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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