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