A Shih Tzu (UK: /ˌʃiːˈtsuː/, US: /ˈʃiːˌtsuː/; Chinese: 西施犬; pinyin: Xī Shī quǎn literally 'Xi Shi dog', also spelled Shittsu) is a toy dog breed, weighing from 4 to 7.25 kilograms (9–16 lb) when fully grown. They are generally well behaved and suitable for families. 6.2 Intervertebral disk disease. The alternative name was adopted to avoid the confusion that stems from referring to the breed as a lion. Shih Tzu were nicknamed the Chrysanthemum Dog in England in the 1930s. The dog may also be called the Tibetan Lion Dog;, but whether the breed should be referred to as 'Tibetan' or 'Chinese' is a source of both historical and political contention, as the subsequent section notes.