| I did not create the "labels" Imperial or "Teacup." | | | | no wonder there is still so much controversy about |
| These words were already set in stone before I | | | | them and......it is about these little guys the most it |
| ever came on board. I picked up the terms only | | | | seems. They seem to be the most mysterious of all |
| because potential customers were asking me for | | | | - another reason why they command a higher price |
| "Imperial Size" or "Teacup Size." I RARELY get a | | | | tag. They are EXQUISITE LITTLE CREATURES.They |
| request for a "Standard" size shih tzu as defined by | | | | actually do belong recognized in a class all their own. I |
| the American Kennel Club. Since these words of | | | | hope to see The American Kennel Club someday do |
| Imperial Shih Tzu and Teacup Shih Tzu were so | | | | just that. New breeds are being created everyday. I |
| common to describe a particular size of shih tzu and I | | | | don't know why this group of people against the little |
| was seeing these are the terms people place in | | | | guys try to make such a fuss over them not being |
| search engines boxes looking for the size THEY | | | | appropriate to be anything but a PET and they imply |
| WANT in a shih tzu, I began using the terms as well | | | | any breeder having them are doing something |
| mainly to be able to communicate with potential | | | | outrageously wrong to the breed. I wonder do |
| customers in their own language.The smaller size shih | | | | people carry on the same about Teacup Poodles? |
| tzu are NOT smaller just because they are | | | | These little under 6 pounders would be so cute in the |
| UNHEALTHY. This is a downright myth or lie being | | | | showring and in fact, I have a picture of one who |
| spread by those who are in favor of only one size | | | | was 6 pounds who won a championship (one of my |
| shih tzu, which they say, is the only size shih tzu that | | | | shih tzu books). They belong in a class all their own. |
| should be on the market. And the ill-will I have heard | | | | Name them Imperials. Name them Teacups. Do away |
| from this group of people against these little guys is | | | | with the Teacup name. Don't matter to me on |
| almost unreal, as if these smaller size shih tzus should | | | | that.At first very few people got hold of these little |
| not have the same rights as the "standard" size, | | | | guys. Why? Because they were one of a kind - like a |
| maybe not even the "right to live" if this side of the | | | | very precious jewel in the midst of all kinds of other |
| poll had its ultimate way about things. And......as if | | | | jewels.I also think that because so many other |
| people who have these little guys for sale command | | | | people were able to get hold of the bigger sizes in |
| a higher price, that this is proof the breeder is doing | | | | those days is where these bigger sizes now came |
| something outrageously WRONG. Well........like I | | | | from. They went out all over to other countries - but |
| said.......RARELY does anyone ask me for a "standard" | | | | not the tiny treasures of the Imperial Palace. They |
| size shih tzu. There is a huge market of individuals | | | | were the secret of that period of time. They are still |
| and families who prefer these smaller sizes including | | | | fairly rare, fairly scarce. Anything that can be |
| me. I like all the sizes, but the smaller ones are my | | | | produced in vast numbers is always "cheaper." I |
| favorite. They are like little tiny treasures, almost | | | | remember when VCR's and Microwaves first came |
| always sweeter than the bigger guys. To me, they | | | | out, they were so expensive I thought I could never |
| are like a rare exquisite jewel in the midst of all kinds | | | | own one. But then......they started being manufactured |
| of other jewels. They do require more work on the | | | | by the millions, which brought the prices down, and |
| part of the breeder. Often, to keep them going at | | | | many other people could afford them.Right now, |
| first because they are so small they have to be | | | | these little guys are still fairly scarce, which makes |
| hand-fed and fed extra supplements like Nutri-cal | | | | their value go up also. And they are many times just |
| daily. For these reasons of being that tiny treasured, | | | | as healthy as the bigger guys.I wonder don't these |
| exquisite jewel, rare and unique from all the rest, and | | | | people who are against the little guys know that |
| because of the all extra labor involved in raising them, | | | | even humans come in all sizes and shapes......what if |
| they command a higher price.And.......I still say, from all | | | | suddenly there was some kind of a stamp put on |
| I have read.......the smaller size shih tzu.......most likely | | | | humans and if every person was not the weight of |
| the under 6 pounds, the 7 and 8 pounders were the | | | | 170 pounds and 6 foot tall, they were deemed |
| very first shih tzu to ever be brought into this world | | | | INAPPROPRIATE to be alive.......There are big people |
| by the Chinese Emporess Dowager in the Imperial | | | | and little people and I am so grateful because I am |
| Palace of China. The bigger sizes were rejected by | | | | one of the little people standing about 5 feet 2 |
| these early day breedings conducted in the Palace. | | | | inches tall. My weight has gone up through the years, |
| They were often sold to the peasants in the streets. | | | | so I might qualify as a person based on weight.......I |
| The smaller ones were kept under careful guard, | | | | cherish the smaller sizes. All of mine have been extra |
| were the ones actually very much pampered that | | | | joy to have around!!!! I don't in-breed them or have |
| slept on satin pillows in the palace, that were owned | | | | some kind of special formula to create them. Size is |
| by the elite and wealthy of that period of time, were | | | | created by genes of the bloodlines. And yes, you |
| given as gifts to the diplomats that visited the | | | | could call the smallest in the crew a runt just the |
| Imperial Palace as the most ultimate gift of all to | | | | same. Personally though, I like the word "teacup" |
| ever receive from the Princess. They were the shih | | | | better. I think it more closely describes them and is a |
| tzu that was highly reverened and cherished. These | | | | cuter term. If I were breeding Police Dogs, or |
| little under the table dogs were sometimes so small | | | | Alaskan Working Dogs, I would call the smallest one |
| the Chinese could carry them in their sleeves. Try | | | | in the crew, the runt. But I choose to call the smallest |
| getting a 9 to 16 lb. dog in your sleeve? Won't work | | | | shih tzu - teacups and imperials. In my mind, that |
| no matter how big that sleeve is. We owe all our | | | | simply means a certain size. Rather than saying, I |
| bloodlines to these early breeders. The Princess was | | | | want a dog 6 pounds or under. A person can say I |
| mean and ruthless and was known to have little | | | | want a Teacup, and I know the size they are asking |
| regard for anyone else but her shih tzu. She was | | | | me for.Connie Limon publishes a FREE weekly |
| burned out several times and eventually I suppose | | | | newsletter. A professional newsletter with a focus |
| when all the chips were down, she felt beaten, and | | | | upon health and wellness for you and your pets. |
| was found to have committed suicide with all her little | | | | Coupons for shih tzu puppies and other products are |
| shih tzu around her. So the legends of the shih tzu | | | | offered to subscribers. Updates of available puppies. |
| are steeped in mysterious myths and stories that it is | | | | |