From theWade–Giles romanisationshih1-tzŭ5 ofMandarin獅子 /狮子(shīzi,“lion”), a contraction of獅子狗 /狮子狗(shīzigǒu, literally“lion dog”),(Canthis(+) etymology besourced?) from the breed's resemblance toChinese guardian lion statues. The original Mandarin word now refers only to thePekingese, while this breed now properly goes by the name西施犬(xīshīquǎn, literally“Xi Shi dog”).
| Thisetymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at theEtymology scriptorium.
Particularly: “Reason for potential spelling/semantic shift from "lion dog" to "Xi Shi dog". The Chinese Wikipedia article for西施犬(xīshīquǎn) claims that this is due to marketing without citation. The English Wikipedia article (Shih Tzu#Etymology) claims it is due to semantic confusion, "backed" by one disputable source that doesn't seem to make such a claim.” |
Shih Tzu (pluralShih TzusorShih Tzu)
- Asmalldogbreed which originated inChina; a dog of that breed.
[1904, Herbert Compton,The Twentieth Century Dog: Compiled from the Contributions of over Five Hundred Experts, volume I (Non-sporting), London: G. Richards,→OCLC, page263:In their native land the Pekinese dogs are known as "Shih-Tzu-Kom," which means the "Lion-Dog."]
1937 January–June,The American Kennel Gazette, volume54, part 1, New York, N.Y.:American Kennel Club,→ISSN,→OCLC, page166:In New York, I had the great pleasure of meeting Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Morgan who showed me their dogs from Pekin. Mr. Morgan has written several articles on Lhasa Apso andShih Tzu.
1983, Daniel F. Tortora, “The Toy Dogs”, inThe Right Dog for You, 1st Fireside edition, New York, N.Y.: Fireside,Simon & Schuster,→ISBN,page162:TheShih Tzu (pronounced Sheed-zoo) has a long, dense, wavy coat that completely hides its legs. Its name means "little lion" in Chinese. Descriptions include "very active, lively and alert, with a distinctly arrogant carriage";[…] Behavior problems may include irritable snapping and touch-shyness, especially when hot. AShih Tzu may be hard to housebreak.
1998,Jane Stern,Michael Stern, “The Beauty of the Beast”, inDog Eat Dog: A Very Human Book about Dogs and Dog Shows, 1st Fireside edition, New York, N.Y.: Fireside,Simon & Schuster,→ISBN,page155:A plucked and stripped terrier, a properly brushedShih Tzu, or a Standard Poodle in a continental clip with powdered pompoms will turn heads on any sidewalk as well as in the show ring.
2014 November,Elaine Viets, chapter 6, inA Dog Gone Murder: Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper (An Obsidian Mystery), Obsidian,Penguin Group,→ISBN,page37:"And who is your baby?" he asked Jane. / "Stuart Little," she said. "He's ashih tzu." / "We loveshih tzus," Uncle Bob said. "Let me show you all the fun things we have for Stuart."
2014, Jon Han, “Your Chosen Breed: The Shih Tzu”, inThe Complete Guide to the Shih Tzu,[United Kingdom?]: For Dogs Sake,→ISBN,page33:Shih Tzu tend to get along better with otherShih Tzu than other breeds. Maybe it's because they are not threatened by dogs that are around the same size or maybe each dog can sense that the other is part of the same dog family.
2015,Lisa Genova, chapter 2, inInside the O’Briens: A Novel, New York, N.Y.:Gallery Books,Simon & Schuster,→ISBN,page11:She came home from the animal shelter with ashih tzu. He still thinks she did that just to spite him, her way of getting in the last word.[…] Yaz is a good dog, and Joe is man enough to be seen out in Charlestown walking ashih tzu. As long as Rosie doesn't dress the pooch in one of those friggin' sweaters.
small dog breed which originated in China
.jpg)
