Shih Tzu

== English == === Etymology === From the Wade–Giles romanisation shih1-tzŭ5 of Mandarin 獅子 / 狮子 (shīzi, “lion”), a contraction of 獅子狗 / 狮子狗 (shīzigǒu, literally “lion dog”), (Can this(+) etymology be sourced?) from the breed's resemblance to Chinese guardian lion statues. The original Mandarin word now refers only to the Pekingese, while this breed now properly goes by the name 西施犬 (xīshīquǎn, literally “Xi Shi dog”). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈʃɪtzuː/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈʃɪtzuː/, /ˈʃiːtsuː/ enPR: shœʹdzœ′ === Noun === Shih Tzu (plural Shih Tzus or Shih Tzu) A small dog breed which originated in China; a dog of that breed. ==== Alternative forms ==== Shih-Tzu shih tzu shih-tzu Shihtzu shihtzu ==== Synonyms ==== Chinese lion dog chrysanthemum dog ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Descendants ==== → Japanese: シーズー (shīzū) ==== Translations ====