A #ShihTzu waits backstage at the #Westminster #DogShow. He will have his hair ties removed and his coat combed out right before his photo session. The Shih Tzu is a sturdy little dog also known as the Crysanthemum Dog & is a toy dog breed with long silky hair. The exact origins of the breed are unknown, but it is thought to have originated in Tibet and then been developed in China although various hypotheses exist. They are a sturdy little dog with a short muzzle and large dark eyes. With a soft and long double coat, which may be of any color, though white and with blazes of grey are frequently seen. The Shih Tzu is slightly longer than tall, and bigger dogs ideally should carry themselves “with distinctly arrogant carriage”. A very noticeable feature is the underbite, which is required in the breed standard. The traditional long silky coat, which reaches the floor, requires daily brushing to avoid tangles. All dogs share a common ancestor,the #GreyWolf & are one of the best examples of #selectiveBreeding. In the case of the dog, they were breed for certain roles, the Shih Tzu was breed for companionship. @thephotosociety @RobertClarkphoto @Natgeo @InstituteArtist by natgeo http://ift.tt/1WmELpf – Gatlinburg Garden Castle Rainbow Tower Library Imagination Station Temple Water Spirit Guardian Labyrinth Treasury Magic Healing