Tenzin Shih Tzu

© Photo by Maree Turner 

The journey to Tenzin Shih Tzu began in May 2008 when we welcomed Tobesocuteisacrime [or "Toby" for short] into our family.  Toby was our very first Shih Tzu [and Alistair's very first dog] and he changed our lives and our family in ways that we could not have imagined.

Liam [on the left] had grown up with dogs, from Pugs to German Shepherds and even Norwegian Elkhounds.  Neither of us had thought we would want a long haired "floor mop" though!  But, when Sharon and Heather showed us this remarkable little boy we fell in love completely and took him home at 12 weeks old to become a member of our family.

We didn't know how much he would change our lives for the better.  Toby's pure Shih Tzu personality not only won us over, but also anyone and everyone that has ever met him.  Toby is charm and unconditional love, the perfect dog who trained himself to walk on a lead, use the toilet training pads, dance on his hind legs and be in exactly the right place when someone is sad.  His expression of attentive love and deep set intelligence is the perfect reflection of the Shih Tzu breed standard which is one of the only standards to include expression.

Even so, Toby is our house pet, he is a dedicated member of our family [he was the ring bearer at our wedding], and although he enjoys coming to shows, watching his friend and house mate strut her stuff, he enjoys his days and nights more like a spoiled child.

There is a saying that "two Shih Tzu are better than one", and many Shih Tzu owners say that you "can't ever stop at just one" and we certainly know this to be true.  In January 2009 we welcomed Denem Diamonds are Forever ["Cartier"] into our lives and our Family.

From her  very first show we knew that Cartier would be something very special.  She entered the ring at 4 months old and not only won Best Baby Puppy of Breed, but was also awarded Best Baby Puppy in Group under Mr. Ian Smith of Cambridge, New Zealand.  It was a wonderful moment, and from that first show, Cartier has prooven herself to be the perfect show dog runnin the ring with elegance, decorum and finesse. 

Her stunning colours are a credit to her breeding, her crips white coat is soft and smooth and we are really enjoying Cartier's career as one of the best up and comming Shih Tzu in the country.

At just 5 months old, at the Auckland non-sporting and Utility Dog Club Championship Show, Cartier reserved to New Zealand Grand Champion, Denem Flash Gordon, her grandfather, and New Zealands most well renowned Shih Tzu. 

Cartier at her first show out of the Baby Puppy Class and took out the Challenge for Best Bitch and came reserve to New Zealands current Raising Star and Best of Breed leader, Denem Hezasupertrooper. We couldn't be prouder of her success to date!

We are looking forward to sharing the many achievements Cartier still has to come!