Shiffon

The Shiffon is a hybrid breed. While there is not a lot of information readily available regarding the exact origins of the Shiffon, we can study the origins of his parent breeds in order to understand the Shiffon's history. The Shih Tzu has roots in China, where he can be found in artwork from the sixteenth century. He was also favored by the Empress of China. It is rumored that the Shih Tzu had its own palace, and the Empress had trained the tiny dogs to wave at her when she visited them. Some experts believe he is related to the Lhasa Apso, another dog considered royalty by the early Chinese. For many years, the Chinese refused to export the dog out of their country, but when the Empress died in 1908, the remaining royal families could not replicate her breeding practices. Many poor-quality dogs were sold in the marketplace as a result. In the 1930s, a pair was exported to England and from there made their way to America. The Shih Tzu was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1938. The Brussels Griffon hails from Belgium, where he was bred to hunt and kill vermin. The Affenpinscher, Pug, and English Toy Spaniel may all have been interbred over the years to develop the Brussels Griffon of today. Belgium’s queen Marie Henriette owned a Brussels Griffon, and she began breeding and promoting the breed throughout Europe. In the early 1890s, the Brussels Griffon made its way to England and then the United States. World War II almost saw the extinction of the Brussels Griffon; the ravages of war made owning a dog nearly unaffordable. The Brussels Griffon is still a rare breed today; however, the breed became popular again after a Brussels Griffon starred in As Good As It Gets alongside Jack Nicholson.