The American Shih Tzu Club has a great Illustrated standard on their website. The American Standard differs a little from the Australian one but is definately worth a look. Click HERE to view it.
The breed standard is a detailed description of the ideal Shih Tzu.
It is the criteria against which all show dogs are judged.
General Appearance: Sturdy, abundantly coated dog with distinctly arrogant carriage and
crysanthemum-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 (1 inch) 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 eyerim. Wide open nostrils. Downpointed 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 hevily 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 parti-colours.
Weight and Size: 4.5-8.1 kg (10-18 lbs). Ideal weight 4.5-7.3 kg (10-16 lbs). Height at
withers not more than 26.7 cm (10 1/2 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.
