The Shih Tzu, or "lion" dog, probably originated from
mating between Tibetan Lhasa Apso dogs brought to China during the 17th century and native
Pekingese dogs. The
Shih Tzu became a favorite of the Imperial Chinese court. The breed was so revered that for many years after the Chinese began trading with the West, they refused to sell, or even give away, any of the little dogs. It was not until 1930 that the first pair was imported to England.
