Societies History

Society's History

The idea of a second breed club arose in the mid 1950's (the original being the Shih Tzu Club), at a time when there was great variation in size. A smaller type was appearing in some bloodlines, and the gene for smallness had also been introduced through several imported lines, so that the material was there to establish a smaller variety without breeding down. The solution seemed to be a division into two sizes if the necessary support could be raised.

A meeting was held at Crufts 1956 for all those interested in the smaller type of Shih Tzu, with the idea of starting a Club or Society to look after their interests. Soon there were forty five founder members, and in a short space of time membership grew to over seventy. The first name chosen was "The Imperial Palace Shih Tzu Society" as the smaller dog, under 12lbs, were known to have existed there in the reign of the Manchu Empress Tzu-Hsi. Later the name was changed to "The Manchu Shih Tzu Society" as it remains today. It carried on as a private society for six and a half years as the Parent Club was not willing to give the necessary sponsorship.

In 1962 with the help of Mr A O Grindy, the Kennel Club agreed to recognise a second breed club. However it would not sanction a club specifically for a smaller type of Shih Tzu as the breed was not considered numerically strong enough at the time. The new club must support all sizes with the Breed Standard. The Kennel Club suggested resolving the dilemma by widening the weight range to include the smaller dog - finally fixing the lowest in the standard at 10lbs, as it stands today. Since kennel clubs all over the world follow our Standard, this met with approval in F.C.I. countries where a smaller type of Shih Tzu had been established in the Toy Group. This also applied in the USA where the Shih Tzu was officially recognised by the American Kennel Club 1969, also in the Toy Group. If the general run of Shih Tzu had continued to increase in size, which was the trend in earlier days, then it might have been necessary to divide into two sizes to give smaller dogs a secure future. However, the work which a few dedicated breeders carried out paved the way for levelling down to the medium norm aimed for today.

Another controversial issue had been the Pekingese out cross introduced into the breed by Miss E M Evans (Elfann) ten years before the official recognition of the Manchu Society. The fourth and "pure bred" generation had been reached and the line was spreading throughout the breed. Apart from the inclination of the descendants of the first imports to increase in size and "bolt away" in all directions, including character (as some Shih Tzu were becoming rather wild), some late imports (which usually came from China "pedigree unknown") had brought in variations towards a lighter, leggier or nosier dog, which the Pekingese out cross did much to counteract - a fact not altogether appreciated by those who did not approve. The new bloodlines brought in one very positive factor - hybrid vigour- which enabled the Shih Tzu to progress on a wider basis, strong in mind and body.

Against this background the Manchu Society started on its journey with Mrs Sheila Bode as Secretary; Mr A O Grindey as Chairman and Mrs Gay Widdrington as President. Many of those who first opposed a second breed club joined its ranks. Our thoughts turned to other matters - the breed was rapidly gaining popularity in the United States with the advent of a smaller, more attractive dog. There was a big demand of British stock, escalating during the 1960's and people increased their breeding operations to meet it. Much correspondence flew backwards and forwards across the Atlantic and many new friendships were made. There was also a considerable opening up of contact with Scandinavia and other European countries, increasing numbers of British dogs crossing the North Sea, bringing much needed blood.

Some European kennels had become sadly depleted in order to meet the demand from USA. English KC registrations for Shih Tzu escalated from 276 per annum in 1962 to over 1,000 by the end of the decade, and this number had doubled by the end of the 1970's. The Litter Registration system which started in 1976 rather obscured the totals after this. Annual totals appeared to level out, but there were probably many more puppies bred than those actually "named" in the Kennel Gazette. The breed was obviously increasing rapidly, which was reflected by newcomers pouring into the breed and the need for further breed clubs.

Written by Mrs Janice McIntyre (Chairman) 2005

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