Shihtzu

Shihtzu is the Anglicized name for the Shih Tzu dog breed, from the Mandarin Chinese 獅子 (shīzi) meaning 'lion' — a reference to the breed's resemblance to traditional Chinese lion sculptures. The Shih Tzu is one of the oldest dog breeds, with origins in Chinese imperial courts, where they were treasured as companion animals. As a name for an individual pet, Shihtzu celebrates the breed itself, turning a breed designation into a personal identifier with affectionate breed pride.

Shihtzu as a pet name is an act of pure breed devotion — it says that this dog is so completely, perfectly, quintessentially himself that no other name could possibly do justice. It suits the owner who loves everything about the Shih Tzu: the flowing coat, the flat face, the remarkable combination of regal history and total lapdog contentment. There is humor and warmth in naming a dog after his own breed, and any Shih Tzu who goes by Shihtzu carries his imperial Chinese heritage with the appropriate air of dignified self-importance.