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