Smooth Fo-Tzu

The Shih Tzu is a sturdy, compact toy breed that carries itself with an unmistakably proud and regal bearing, befitting its heritage as a treasured companion of Chinese royalty. Standing between eight and eleven inches at the shoulder, with an ideal height of nine to ten and a half inches, and weighing between nine and sixteen pounds, this breed presents a solid and surprisingly substantial feel when held. The body is slightly longer than it is tall, with a broad, deep chest and well-sprung ribs that contribute to the breed's sturdy construction. Despite being classified as a toy breed, the Shih Tzu must demonstrate the same structural soundness expected of larger dogs. The most distinctive feature of the Shih Tzu is its luxurious double coat, which flows long and dense over the entire body when shown in full coat. This magnificent coat comes in virtually any color, with combinations of white, gold, black, brindle, liver, silver, and red being common. The coat texture is ideally soft and silky, though it may have a slight wave. Many pet owners choose to keep their Shih Tzu in a shorter puppy clip for easier maintenance, though the flowing show coat remains the breed's signature look. The facial hair grows upward from the nose, creating the characteristic chrysanthemum effect that gave the breed one of its nicknames. The head is large and round when viewed from the front, with wide-set, large, dark eyes that express warmth and trust. The distinctively short, flat muzzle is set no less than one inch from the tip of the nose to the stop, with the nose leather being black in most colors. A characteristic underbite is normal for the breed and considered essential in the breed standard. The long, heavy ears hang down and are covered with abundant hair that blends with the neck coat. The heavily plumed tail is set high and carried in a curve well over the back, adding to the breed's distinctive and elegant appearance.

The Smooth Fox Terrier is a well-balanced, elegant terrier that embodies both substance and style in a compact package. Males typically stand around fifteen and a half inches at the shoulder and weigh approximately eighteen pounds, while females are slightly smaller, measuring about fifteen inches and weighing between fifteen and seventeen pounds. The breed presents a square, symmetrical silhouette with a short back that gives the impression of maximum power and speed. The body is muscular and athletic, built for the demanding work of pursuing foxes into their underground dens, with a deep chest that provides excellent lung capacity and strong, straight front legs. The head of the Smooth Fox Terrier is one of its most distinctive features, presenting a flat, moderately narrow skull that gradually decreases in width toward the eyes. The muzzle tapers from the skull to the nose in a wedge shape, giving the face an alert and intelligent expression that is quintessentially terrier. The small, V-shaped ears fold forward and drop close to the cheeks, positioned high on the skull. Dark, moderately small, round eyes convey keen intelligence and fire, characteristic of the terrier spirit. The black nose is prominent and well-developed, essential for the breed's hunting heritage, and the strong jaws contain a complete set of evenly spaced teeth meeting in a scissors bite. The coat of the Smooth Fox Terrier is short, flat, hard, and dense, lying close to the body with a fine undercoat that provides warmth without bulk. This sleek coat requires minimal grooming while providing adequate protection during outdoor activities and harsh weather conditions. The predominant color is white, which historically helped hunters distinguish their dogs from foxes during the chase. Most individuals display black or tan markings, or a combination of both, typically appearing on the head and sometimes extending to the body. The tail is traditionally set high and carried erect, formerly docked to about three-quarters of its original length, though natural tails are now common in many countries where docking has been banned.