| Teacup Shih Tzu dogs are also called "imperial" and | | | | for extreme small size can be harmful to the dogs in |
| "tiny teacup". These are the little bitty dogs in small | | | | several ways. Consider how you can develop an |
| sizes. The terms "imperial" or "teacup" are used | | | | extremely small Shih Tzu in a short period of time. |
| interchangeably by some breeders. Also some | | | | To get a really small dog quickly, there are only a |
| breeders use "imperial" for the smallest dogs in the 3 | | | | couple of choices. The first is to select as parents the |
| to 5 pound category and "teacup" for slightly larger | | | | smallest dogs available and breed those dogs. Then |
| dogs in the 5 to 6 pound size. | | | | continue selecting for small dogs over a period of time |
| These dogs exist because there is a demand for | | | | in subsequent matings. The problem with this approach |
| them. The size is cute and all that Shih Tzu attitude in a | | | | is that if size is the main selection criteria, other traits |
| small package is part of the appeal. The story is that | | | | will be ignored. This usually results in health problems |
| the smaller Shih Tzu is truly a descendant of the dogs | | | | because your unbalanced selection methods will |
| from the Chinese Royal Palace, thus the "imperial" | | | | almost always end up breeding unhealthy dogs simply |
| description. So the idea is that these are truly the | | | | because they are small. A dog can be small and |
| descendants of the royal lines. | | | | healthy or an unhealthy runt with physical problems. |
| Fact is, the official American Kennel Club and the | | | | Also tiny female dogs struggle with birthing and have |
| American Shih Tzu Club standards call for a weight of | | | | very small litters usually. |
| 9 to 16 pounds. The breed is classified as a Toy breed | | | | Another approach is to breed a standard size Shih |
| and is already a small dog when bred to the breed | | | | Tzu to a small dog of another breed. This may |
| standard. Also this standard weight matches closely | | | | produce a smaller healthy dog but the dog will lack |
| the weight of the Shih Tzu as described by the Peking | | | | some of the characteristics of the Shih Tzu. Also any |
| Kennel Club in 1938. The breed standard describes a | | | | offspring of the crossbred dogs will show great |
| rugged, stocky little dog that is small, but not at all | | | | variation in characteristics. You will not get offspring like |
| fragile. | | | | the parents. |
| So, the really tiny Shih Tzu dogs do not meet the | | | | The standard Shih Tzu is a robust, balanced small dog. |
| breed standard and are really a fad dog created to | | | | They are healthy, active dogs with good form and |
| please a market looking for a dog that is not really a | | | | strength. Be careful if you choose a teacup Shih Tzu. It |
| Shih Tzu. Now that would be OK as long as the dog | | | | may be better to choose a different breed if you want |
| itself is not harmed by this move. But in fact breeding | | | | a truly tiny pet dog. |