| Pure breeds of dog are extremely popular in America | | | | nine and sixteen pounds. The temperament must be |
| and in other countries around the world. In America, | | | | happy, alert, energetic, and totally trusting. When |
| the leading authority on pure breeds is the American | | | | competing, Shih Tzu crown hair must be tied on top |
| Kennel Club (AKC), which holds competitions for | | | | of the head. |
| purebreds like the Shih Tzu. Pure breeds are | | | | Shih Tzu descended from other Chinese dog breeds, |
| distinguished from mixed breeds, or "mutts" by their | | | | most likely the Lhasa Apso and Pekingese, as much |
| documented ancestry. Purebred dogs are inbred to | | | | as 2,000 years ago. Shih Tzu means "lion dogs" and |
| help retain the specific desired characteristics of the | | | | these were revered as holy dogs in China. Bred |
| breed. Mutts on the other hand have uncertain | | | | initially by Tibetan monks, Shih Tzu later became |
| heritage. | | | | imperial dogs of various Chinese dynasties. |
| Though standard dogs have excelled in AKC | | | | The Teacup is also referred to as a Toy, Miniature, |
| competition, winning a record-breaking number of | | | | Toi, Pocket, or Imperial Shih Tzu. It is registered as a |
| championships over the years, some Shih Tzu | | | | breed with the National Canine Association under the |
| breeders selectively breed smaller members of the | | | | name Chinese Imperial dog. Whatever name you call |
| breed, which results in less-than-standard sized dogs. | | | | it, Teacup Shih Tzu dogs are smaller than standard |
| Miniature, or Teacup Shih Tzu, retain the traits of the | | | | dogs. They weigh only four to seven pounds and |
| breed, however, are not recognized by the American | | | | stand less than nine inches tall as adults. |
| Kennel Club. They can compete through alternative | | | | Teacups are purebred and may have just as |
| organizations such as the as the National Canine | | | | documented an ancestry as standard Shih Tzu. But |
| Association (NCA) and Chinese Imperial Dog Club of | | | | because they are substandard in size, the American |
| America. | | | | Kennel Club will not allow them to register for |
| This breed has specific characteristics that separate it | | | | competition. The NCA has cleared this up by |
| from other breeds. The American Kennel Club defines | | | | registering them as an entirely new breed. Teacup |
| the breed standard and cites the range dogs must | | | | Shih Tzu, or Chinese Imperial Dogs, have the long, |
| fall within to register and compete. Shih Tzu dogs | | | | silky fur, happy temperament, and brown or black |
| must be sturdy with compact bodies covered in a | | | | eyes of the standard dog, but have shorter backs, |
| double coat of long, silky fur in any color. Fur is | | | | smaller overall size, and a cuter, more doll-like face. |
| straight to wavy in texture. Height must be between | | | | Many who want a smaller, more adorable version of |
| eight and eleven inches and weight must be between | | | | the standard Shih Tzu love these little dogs. |