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