The name comes from the Chinese word for "lion dog" because this kind of dog was bred to resemble "the lion as depicted in traditional oriental art," such as the Chinese guardian lions. (The Pekingese breed is also called "lion dog" in Chinese.) The Mandarin Chinese pronunciation is approximately shirr-dzə. The breed originated in China.
DNA analysis placed the ancestors of today's Shih Tzu breed in the group of "ancient" breeds indicating "close genetic relationship to wolves". The dogs were favorites of the Chinese royals
