What primary selection criteria for the Shih Tzu might have inadvertently preserved more of the ancestral genetic profile compared to utility breeds?
Answer
Appearance and temperament suitable for palace life
Because the Shih Tzu was selected primarily for appearance and temperament suitable for palace life, traits detrimental to wolf-like survival (like small size) were not selected against in a survival context, potentially preserving more of the ancestral genetic profile.
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