They are one of the most desirable breeds of dog, attracting the country’s finest exhibitors to shows across the country to present their perfectly groomed canine.  

But the world of Shih Tzu breeding has been ruffled by the introduction of a new guideline intended to prevent showing dogs with their hair tied up bows.  

The amended guidelines, issued by the Kennel Club, are an attempt to crack down on the rise of “hand bag dogs”, according to the Shih Tzu club which has lobbied for the change.

The move comes two years after a dramatic episode which saw a Shih Tzu exhibitor storm out of a breed club championship when a judge controversially refused to examine her dog because it had a bow instead of an elastic band.  

Michaela Hall, the woman involved in the row, has hit out at the Kennel Club, accusing them of “petty resentfulness” for introducing a ban on bows rather directing their efforts toward more pressing health affecting the Shih Tzu breed.  

The Kennel Club sent a letter out to all Shih Tzu Clubs, advising of an amendment to the Shih Tzu Breed Standard, that "it is strongly recommended that the hair on head is tied up without adornment.”

Matthew Russell, chairman of the Shih Tzu Club said his club has been lobbying for bows to be banned because they are part of a “trend in recent years” to regard the dog as a “designer or hand-bag dog” which is “as much a status symbol as it is a pet and companion.” He said this is of “great concern” to the vast majority of breeders and exhibitors.

Pat Gregory, secretary of the Shih Tzu Club, said the change had been made after “two years of hard work”, it said, adding that the change was made “not just because of what happened at the show in 2014 but because the problem does crop up now and again”.  

The change to the Shih Tzu Standard, which describes the “ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance” of a dog, advises exhibitors that it is “strongly recommended that the hair on head is tied up without adornment”.

The recommendation, which will be introduced at the start of next month, will see owners using elastic bands to tie their pet’s hair up rather than colourful bows.  

Two years ago, Miss Hall was asked to take the bow off the head of her bitch, Jia Lidzhuan for Shenedene, at a championship show. After refusing, the judge told her she could not judge her dog, prompting Ms Hall to say she felt “victimised”.

“It is strongly recommended that the hair on head is tied up without adornment” The new Shih Tzu Standard

Now she has railed against the new guideline, saying: “I have to say this is true victimisation of one person for one bow, as I am the only person in the UK to dare attach a very small (15mm) bows to my Shih Tzu’s,” she said.  

“It saddens me that these same so called alleged doyens of the breed, who have championed this quest, should have concentrated their efforts into the real issues in the breed [such as] slab sided ribs, roaching backs, bad tail sets and placements, missing teeth, small teeth [and] incorrect movement.”

 Earlier this month, the Kennel Club decided to crack down on the controversial “double handling” practice, which involves covertly using a second trainer among the spectators to attract the dog’s attention and make it look alert and attentive.