How to take care of your pet fish


What is an Imperial / Teacup Shih Tzu? Do They Actually Exist?

I did not create the "labels" Imperial orstories that it is no wonder there is still
"Teacup." These words were already set inso much controversy about them and......it is
stone before I ever came on board. I pickedabout these little guys the most it seems.
up the terms only because potential customersThey seem to be the most mysterious of all -
were asking me for "Imperial Size" or "Teacupanother reason why they command a higher
Size." I RARELY get a request for aprice tag. They are EXQUISITE LITTLE
"Standard" size shih tzu as defined by theCREATURES.They actually do belong recognized
American Kennel Club. Since these words ofin a class all their own. I hope to see The
Imperial Shih Tzu and Teacup Shih Tzu were soAmerican Kennel Club someday do just that.
common to describe a particular size of shihNew breeds are being created everyday. I
tzu and I was seeing these are the termsdon't know why this group of people against
people place in search engines boxes lookingthe little guys try to make such a fuss over
for the size THEY WANT in a shih tzu, I beganthem not being appropriate to be anything but
using the terms as well mainly to be able toa PET and they imply any breeder having them
communicate with potential customers in theirare doing something outrageously wrong to the
own language.The smaller size shih tzu arebreed. I wonder do people carry on the same
NOT smaller just because they are UNHEALTHY.about Teacup Poodles? These little under 6
This is a downright myth or lie being spreadpounders would be so cute in the showring and
by those who are in favor of only one sizein fact, I have a picture of one who was 6
shih tzu, which they say, is the only sizepounds who won a championship (one of my shih
shih tzu that should be on the market. Andtzu books). They belong in a class all
the ill-will I have heard from this group oftheir own. Name them Imperials. Name them
people against these little guys is almostTeacups. Do away with the Teacup name.
unreal, as if these smaller size shih tzusDon't matter to me on that.At first very few
should not have the same rights as thepeople got hold of these little guys. Why?
"standard" size, maybe not even the "right toBecause they were one of a kind - like a very
live" if this side of the poll had itsprecious jewel in the midst of all kinds of
ultimate way about things. And......as ifother jewels.I also think that because so
people who have these little guys for salemany other people were able to get hold of
command a higher price, that this is proofthe bigger sizes in those days is where these
the breeder is doing something outrageouslybigger sizes now came from. They went out
WRONG. Well........like I said.......RARELYall over to other countries - but not the
does anyone ask me for a "standard" size shihtiny treasures of the Imperial Palace. They
tzu. There is a huge market of individualswere the secret of that period of time. They
and families who prefer these smaller sizesare still fairly rare, fairly scarce.
including me. I like all the sizes, but theAnything that can be produced in vast numbers
smaller ones are my favorite. They are likeis always "cheaper." I remember when VCR's
little tiny treasures, almost always sweeterand Microwaves first came out, they were so
than the bigger guys. To me, they are like aexpensive I thought I could never own one.
rare exquisite jewel in the midst of allBut then......they started being manufactured
kinds of other jewels. They do require moreby the millions, which brought the prices
work on the part of the breeder. Often, todown, and many other people could afford
keep them going at first because they are sothem.Right now, these little guys are still
small they have to be hand-fed and fed extrafairly scarce, which makes their value go up
supplements like Nutri-cal daily. For thesealso. And they are many times just as
reasons of being that tiny treasured,healthy as the bigger guys.I wonder don't
exquisite jewel, rare and unique from all thethese people who are against the little guys
rest, and because of the all extra laborknow that even humans come in all sizes and
involved in raising them, they command ashapes......what if suddenly there was some
higher price.And.......I still say, from allkind of a stamp put on humans and if every
I have read.......the smaller size shihperson was not the weight of 170 pounds and 6
tzu.......most likely the under 6 pounds, thefoot tall, they were deemed INAPPROPRIATE to
7 and 8 pounders were the very first shih tzube alive.......There are big people and
to ever be brought into this world by thelittle people and I am so grateful because I
Chinese Emporess Dowager in the Imperialam one of the little people standing about 5
Palace of China. The bigger sizes werefeet 2 inches tall. My weight has gone up
rejected by these early day breedingsthrough the years, so I might qualify as a
conducted in the Palace. They were oftenperson based on weight.......I cherish the
sold to the peasants in the streets. Thesmaller sizes. All of mine have been extra
smaller ones were kept under careful guard,joy to have around!!!! I don't in-breed them
were the ones actually very much pamperedor have some kind of special formula to
that slept on satin pillows in the palace,create them. Size is created by genes of the
that were owned by the elite and wealthy ofbloodlines. And yes, you could call the
that period of time, were given as gifts tosmallest in the crew a runt just the same.
the diplomats that visited the ImperialPersonally though, I like the word "teacup"
Palace as the most ultimate gift of all tobetter. I think it more closely describes
ever receive from the Princess. They werethem and is a cuter term. If I were breeding
the shih tzu that was highly reverened andPolice Dogs, or Alaskan Working Dogs, I would
cherished. These little under the table dogscall the smallest one in the crew, the runt.
were sometimes so small the Chinese couldBut I choose to call the smallest shih tzu -
carry them in their sleeves. Try getting a 9teacups and imperials. In my mind, that
to 16 lb. dog in your sleeve? Won't work nosimply means a certain size. Rather than
matter how big that sleeve is. We owe allsaying, I want a dog 6 pounds or under. A
our bloodlines to these early breeders. Theperson can say I want a Teacup, and I know
Princess was mean and ruthless and was knownthe size they are asking me for.Connie Limon
to have little regard for anyone else but herpublishes a FREE weekly newsletter. A
shih tzu. She was burned out several timesprofessional newsletter with a focus upon
and eventually I suppose when all the chipshealth and wellness for you and your pets.
were down, she felt beaten, and was found toCoupons for shih tzu puppies and other
have committed suicide with all her littleproducts are offered to subscribers. Updates
shih tzu around her. So the legends of theof available puppies.
shih tzu are steeped in mysterious myths and



1 A 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71