After the fall of the Imperial Palace breeding continued outside the palace in the homes of both the Chinese and foreign families. Kennels were developed that produced the Tibetan Lion Dogs, or the Lhasa Lion Dogs, as they were sometimes called. There was a lot of confusion during this time period trying to distinguish between the Tibetan breeds and there was no central registration system until the 1930s. The Apso and Shih Tzu types were grouped under several different names: The Tibetan Poodle, Shih Tzu Kuo (Lion Dog), Lhasa Lion Dog, Tibetan Temple Dog, Tibetan Holy Dog, Tibetan Holy Dog, Lhasa Terrier, Tribute Dog, Apso....
The China Kennel Club was formed in Shanghai in 1923. In 1930 the first class was scheduled at a show under the name of Lhasa Terrier or Tibetan Poodle. Mrs. R. Laurenz owned a kennel of almost all black Shih Tzu and took first and second place with her Mo'er and Mei Mei. It is thought that one of her dogs named Chu Po (a stud) was the great grandson of Hai-Ling (Sea Otter), Empress Dowager's favorite dog of all times.
Note: I have a solid black stud dog now who resembles the pictures I have seen of Mr. Laurenz's two black Tibetan dogs that won. My Duke really resembles her line of dogs. The pedigree I have, of course, is not traced back that far, but of all my dogs, Duke is so very extra "sharp," and stands out from all the rest of my Shih Tzu. He is one of a kind at Stain Glass Shih Tzu (except his offsprings of course will be somewhat like him). He really is an interesting Shih Tzu to watch. He makes excellent eye contact that looks just like human eyes looking at me. Duke also has the "blue" genes. He is producing blue in his offspring. I would not be surprised if his ancestors would be in the same line as Sea Otter as well.
The Peking Kennel Club was established in 1934. That same year a class was scheduled for "Lhasa Lion Dogs." From all I have read in this time period it seems they were having a terrible time trying to create a standard and exactly what to call these dogs. By this time it looked like also there was many different types. It also appeared as if the size was "large" rather than small. This really makes me wonder if the reason for all this was because at the Imperial Palace, only the smaller ones were kept, and the larger dogs were sold outside the palace as rejects of the Imperial Palace breedings, and many were even sold to peasants on the street. So I imagine from this large pool of the larger size Shih Tzu or what would eventually become known as the Shih Tzu was these Lhasa Lion Dogs and Tibetan Poodles. This is all they had access to, with the exception of whatever might have been saved in the smaller sizes from the Imperial Palace. Almost all the dogs were killed (destroyed in the fires) that eventually destroyed the Palace. Apparently though someone got hold of some of the Imperial Palace smaller types and dogs of this favorite color of honey or Tawny as well, because we still have some of them today and have nicknamed them appropriately: Imperials. I have a brother and a sister that fits the description perfectly. They are Danny and Jane Jane. Visit us at Stain Glass Shih Tzu to see their pictures. I believe they will be more in the Teacup size (according to my definitions of Teacup size) and remember Imperial and Teacup today are nicknames for these smaller size shih tzu that do not fit the American Kennel Club standard size of 9 to 16 lbs. I have this size as well. I do not try to breed against the American Kennel Club standard and I do not advise anyone else to do so either. The American Kennel Club is our official breed standard creator and anyone breeding should strive to stick to the standards. With the Shih Tzu, however, because of its mysterious background and all the legends behind it and all else this breed has gone through over time, we still occasionally get these "litte guys" we now nickname Imperials and Teacups, which in my opinion, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion about any type of subject (we all have freedom of speech as part of our governmental constitutional rights), I believe with all my heart and soul these little guys are more the offspring of some of these exquisite treasures that was so difficult to acquire from the Old Empress Dowager and even more difficult after her death because most of her Shih Tzu were destroyed! However, I do love the 9 to 12 pound size as well with the broad face and skull and all else that goes along with them, and I do have those type of Shih Tzu as well. I really don't like a size over about 12 pounds.
An official Standard of the Peking Kennel Club was not established until 1938. Those involved with creating this standard were: Madam de Brevil, a Russian refugee, and the Countess d'Anjou. The Countess d'Anjou emerged as the premier breeder of the Shih Tzu in Peking during this period of time.
The 1938 Peking Kennel Club Official Standard for the Shih Tzu (Lion Dog) stated:
Lion head: Long ears, heart shaped (the longer the hair on the ars the better).
Long apron and pantaloons: Long hair difficult to get on the hind legs and all the more appreciated.
Size: 13-15 in.
Weight: 10-15 lb.
Eyes: Large and clear (the hair should fall over them and cover them completely if possible).
Toes: Well feathered, paw broad and flat.
Front legs: May be slightly bowed (controversy about this).
Hindquarters: Slightly higher than the back.
Hair: As glossy as possible, apron and pantaloons wavy.
Skull: Broad and flat.
Tail: Well plumbed, carried gaily over the back.
Colors: All colors permissible, singe and mixed. Tawny or honey-colored highly favored.
Some interesting facts about how hard it was to get hold of Shih Tzu from the Imperial Palace was told by The Countess d'Anjou. It was very difficult to get the honey and golden color as this was the favorite colors from the Imperial Palace by the Old Empress Dowager. The Lamas behind Peking bred the honey and golden color but refused to sell them; they were often stolen by servants and then sold. The Countess had to first buy grown females that did not produce and felt as though something had been done to them to keep them from producing (probably spayed to keep others from breeding from them). She sometimes was able to get hold of tiny ones who had not even opened their eyes yet. Finally she was helped by a Chinese friend who had been lady-in-waiting to the Old Empress to acquire "some" breeding stock. And no doubt, the ones she did acquire was of the smaller type - thank goodness - so that today we still have some of those exquisite jewels among us.
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