| The Shih Tzu is classified by the American Kennel | | | | The American Kennel Club does not recognize the |
| Club in the Toy Group. It is one of the elegant dogs | | | | nicknames of Imperial and Teacup for the Shih Tzu at |
| from China. The Shih Tzu was a cherished, pampered | | | | all. The only size the American Kennel Club and the |
| pet of royal families in China for over a thousand | | | | American Shih Tzu Club recognize as official Shih Tzu |
| years. As the Shih Tzu developed there evolved | | | | are with a set standard weight of 9 to 16 pounds. The |
| several sizes. The question of size has always been a | | | | under 9 pounds in weight and over 16 pounds in weight |
| very controversial topic. | | | | Shih Tzu are in existence and have ancestors |
| Some Shih Tzu fanciers feel the original Shih Tzu of | | | | registered as AKC, therefore, these Shih Tzu can be |
| the Imperial Palace was the very small type ranging in | | | | registered AKC. They are just disqualified from the |
| weight of anywhere from 3 to 7 pounds. At the time | | | | show ring because of underweight or overweight. In |
| of this writing, year of 2005, the size of 3 to 7 pounds | | | | general, most Shih Tzu fanciers or consumers prefer |
| is nicknamed Imperial Shih Tzu and Teacup Shih Tzu. | | | | their Shih Tzu to be at least under 16 pounds. |