Welcome to Sapphire Shih Tzu, Hawaii Island’s premier Shih Tzu breeder! I am so happy to share my passion for this wonderful breed with you. As an American Kennel Club (AKC) Bronze Level Breeder of Merit, we take we take immense pride in producing top-quality, healthy, and loving companions that excel both in the show ring and in your home. You can now find us tucked away on the Hilo side of the Big Island of Hawaii in Hawaiian Paradise Park, Keaau, Hawaii.
I hope you enjoy browsing my beautiful dogs, and reading about this enchanting breed. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or comments. Just a fair warning: it is incredibly easy to have your heart stolen by a Sapphire Shih Tzu!
THE SHIH TZU
Shih Tzu (pronounced sheed-zu) is a big dog in a little package. These dogs offer the perfect blend of sturdiness and affection. They adapt beautifully to apartment living but are tough enough for everyday adventures. They are sturdy and even-tempered, with few health problems.
- Ultimate Companions: They get along wonderfully with people and other pets of all sizes.
- Quiet and Gentle: They rarely bark. In fact, they make terrible watchdogs—they would likely give an intruder a guided tour!
- Naturally Adaptable: Ready to romp and play when you are, but equally happy to curl up quietly by your side when it’s time to rest.
- Clever Thinkers: They are easy to spoil and very good at communicating. If you aren’t careful, they will end up training you!
THE HISTORY OF THE SHIH TZU While the precise ancestry of the Shih Tzu is shrouded in mystery, the breed primarily traces its roots back to ancient Tibet.
The history of these little dogs is deeply intertwined with Buddhist traditions. In Buddhism, the lion is a sacred symbol of power and protection. Because lions were not native to China or Tibet, monks and imperial eunuchs carefully bred their companion dogs to resemble the majestic creature.
These mythical “lion dogs”—often called “Foo Dogs”—were immortalized in imperial scrolls and tasked with spiritually guarding grand temples and palaces. The name Shih Tzu itself translates directly to “lion” in Chinese. Today, when you bring a Shih Tzu into your home, you are welcoming a living piece of ancient royal history.
DEVELOPEMENT AS A BREED
Preserved by Royalty The Shih Tzu we know and love today owes its very survival to the Dowager Empress Cixi (T’zi Hsi), whose imperial kennels were world-renowned. Following her passing in 1908, palace breeding became haphazard, and the kennels were ultimately dispersed.
The breed faced its greatest threat during the Communist Revolution of 1949, when it became nearly extinct in mainland China. The nation’s new leaders viewed pet ownership—especially dogs closely tied to the former imperial court—as a corrupt symbol of wealth.
OUR MODERN SHIH TZU
Saved by Diplomats Fortunately, a few visionary diplomats stationed in China brought several Shih Tzus back to Europe before the revolution. Incredibly, the entire global lineage of all living purebred Shih Tzus today can be traced back to just fourteen foundational dogs—seven males and seven females.
Maintaining this small gene pool required strict standards. When an unauthorized Pekingese cross occurred in England in 1952, breed clubs took rigorous steps to protect the lineage. The descendants of that cross were not recognized as purebreds until they were bred back to purebred Shih Tzus for four generations in England—and a strict six generations by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in the United States.
From those selective beginnings, the modern Shih Tzu flourished. The AKC officially recognized the breed in 1969, and it quickly soared into the top ten most popular breeds in the United States. Today, these captivating dogs are cherished worldwide—from North America and Europe to Australia, Asia, and right here in our island paradise.
THE SHIH TZU STANDARD
The Shih Tzu Breed Standard is a strict set of guidelines used to ensure that our puppies conform to the official look, movement, and temperament of the breed. When a dog closely matches these guidelines, it is said to have excellent conformation.
KEEP IN MIND ⚠️ Two Critical Considerations Before You Buy.
Before deciding to bring a Shih Tzu into your life, please ensure you can meet these two vital requirements:
- The Risk: As a short-nosed (brachycephalic) breed, Shih Tzus cannot cool themselves efficiently by panting. Extreme heat can be quickly life-threatening.
- The Rule: If you are uncomfortable in the heat, they are too.
- Care Required: They must have a cool, air-conditioned environment during warm weather. Never leave your dog in a parked car for even a few seconds.
- Hair, Not Fur: Shih Tzus have hair that grows continuously like human hair, rather than shedding twice a year like regular dog fur.
- Coat Maintenance: Unless you keep your dog in a long show-coat, they will need a professional haircut every 6 to 8 weeks. Please factor this ongoing expense into your budget.
- Bonding Time: If you choose to keep their hair long, daily brushing is required to prevent painful matting. This can be a wonderful, relaxing bonding time for you both!
BEFORE YOU BUY A SHIH TZU
- Avoid Pet Stores and Puppy Mills: Please do not purchase a puppy from a pet store or any commercial kennel selling multiple different breeds. These are almost always supplied by mass-production puppy mills.
- Insist on Seeing Parents & Pedigrees: Never buy a puppy from any source where you cannot physically see the parents (or at least the mother) and review their official pedigree paperwork.
- Understand “Papers” vs. Quality: There are many different pet registries in the United States. Simply having “registration papers” does not automatically mean a dog is a purebred or raised by a reputable breeder.
To fully prepare yourself, we highly recommend reading the educational articles provided by the official American Shih Tzu Club’s website www.americanshihtzuclub.org under their “Before You Get a Dog” section. Taking the time to review this information will help you identify responsible breeders.
SPECIAL ATTENTION PLEASE ⚠️ Common Puppy Buying Myths to Avoid
When searching for a puppy, it is easy to get caught up in marketing buzzwords. As a responsible breeder, we want to help you spot these common red flags:
- The “Imperial” or “Teacup” Myth: There is no such thing as an “Imperial” or “Tiny Teacup” Shih Tzu. These are marketing gimmicks often used to sell dangerously undersized or unhealthy runts.
- “Designer Dog” Misconceptions: Don’t be misled by trendy “designer” hybrid labels. These mixes do not have the health testing, predictable traits, or standards of an established purebred lineage.
- Vague “Champion Lines” Claims: Do not be fooled by the phrase “Champion Lines” unless the breeder can show you the exact AKC titles earned by the parents.
- How does the breeder know their puppies are high-quality?
- In what specific ways do the parents meet the official breed standard?
- What are the puppy’s structural faults? (Be honest—there is no such thing as a perfect dog!)
IN CONCLUSION: A Friend for Life
The Shih tzu is an incredibly versatile, fun-loving little dog ready for almost any adventure. They excel in dog sports like agility, obedience, and Rally-O. Despite being a toy breed, they love going camping, taking car rides, and visiting friends and family.
