Imperial Shih Tzu

There are so many positive and negative information on Imperial Shih Tzus on the web, which confuses me. It is my first time purchasing a dog, and I don't know much. Do Imperial Shih Tzus have bad health and die easily?

THANK YOU

My Wife has one of these dogs, so far it has a liver defect, kidney defect fussy as anything (eats steak and rice at present… better food than me) and they get ear infections alot. She is 8, may be OK to go to 9 or 10. All my past dogs have been fit working dogs and have reached about 16 (mostly mutts). So the vets have given us all the info on the bread. But they are friendly as any other dog and then some, what extra they cost in grooming and care they make up for in eating and crapping less, it takes more time to make them look pretty, but they hardly need walking (they like a few rumbles a day- and do enjoy exercise) and the winning thing – they don't shed like other dogs, so they are great for indoors and sleeping on beds, so knock a few years off their life expectancy, but most pure breads are like that…just send a message if you want more info on them

is it a type of shih tzu?

This type of Shih Tzu would be considered a tea cup varity of the bread. The word imperial and teacup are used interchangeably. I found this information at the American Shih Tzu Club's web page and hope its helpful to you.

"The words “imperial” and “tiny teacup” are sometimes used interchangeably to describe undersized Shih Tzu. In fact, the terms “imperial” or “tiny teacup” should be regarded as what they really are….A MYTH often used by unethical breeders to create a market for dogs that do not conform to the breed standard. These tiny dogs are NOT what the Shih Tzu has been since it was developed as a distinctive breed in China ’s imperial palace, nor what it ought to be."

To read more about this you can go to http://www.shihtzu.org/Info/imperial.asp?menu=Info

Hope this helps.

There extremly small size makes them much more prone to complications of all types, also extremly small dogs are much more prone to die as a result of pregnacy or delivery. If the male is the same size or larger than the female the odds of complications go way up. Do your dog a favor and have her spayed before the pregnacy causes her harm.

I just asked a question on buying an undersized, disqualified colored Doberman, and was told that it was a really bad idea. However, people are on here every day looking for a "teacup" or "imperial" Shih Tzu (or other toy breed) and that is just fine! Why is that? These breeds are toy breeds anyway, why would you want them several pounds UNDER standard anyway?

Is it not just as bad having a small dog over bred for undersized results? Are breed standards ONLY important for large breeds? Please, fill me in! I don't understand this double standards.
Def: Imperial Shih Tzu by a "breeder" — Imperial Shih Tzu have a short backs, straight legs, no eye white, baby doll faces with tiny button noses on gorgeous heads and sweet, loving expressions. We strive to maintain the same quality as the Standard Shih Tzu except we prefer ours smaller, shorter backed and less nose.

However, I like this explanation better:

http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesArticle/id-5138.html

Another link about "Imperials"

http://www.shihtzu.org/Info/imperial.asp?menu=Info

It's not fine. When people breed solely for size, they are not considering the important things like genetics and conformation. And we end up with more and more Shih Tzus with luxated patellas and dry eye and skin problems, etc., etc., etc. because of course these puppy pimps don't spay and neuter their Frankentzus.

It's even worse when people want one from a rescue. "Must be less than 8 lbs" my butt.

i agree her vulva will get very swollen it's the process her body goes through to accept the male organ when it's time.If she is bred and gets pregnant it will remain swollen for the remainder of her pregnancy.If she is not bred, then the vulva will start to go back down to normal size after the heat cycle is over.

No. There is no 'imperial' or 'standard'. A shih tzu is a shih tzu.

Please don't support puppy mills.
No reputable breeder will sell a runt, an undersized puppy, as any thing other than a poor specimen. The people advertising imperial shih tzus are not breeding for quality but to make a quick buck selling something that is considered a fault as"rare"or "exclusive"
Smaller puppies do turn up in well bred litters and these make excellent pets and are always, if the breeder is reputable, sold on spay/neuter contracts.

This site has breeder referrals;-

http://www.shihtzu.org/Info/imperial.asp

Please do not support disreputable breeders of Imperial or 'teacup' Shih Tzu… Shih tzus are ( were) one of the healthiest of toy breeds, but this un-natural downsizing is ruining that robust health, in exchange for fashion.
If you want a dog of 4 pounds, get a Chihuahua ( there are gorgeous long haired Chihuahuas) but trying to turn a Shih Tzu into a Chihuahua is absolutely the worst detriment to the breed.

How to find a good breeder, rule number one: If they advertise their pups as 'teacup' RUN.

In our local doggy day care, there are 3 such tiny Shih Tzus, from two local breeders. They are all on daily medications. One is diabetic. ( twice daily insulin shots) One is hypoglycemic, (in day care because she can't be left unattended). Two take heart meds. One also has a liver shunt..Tthat is a LOT of heartbreak for just 3 dogs!

Facts About Imperial or Teacup Shih Tzu> http://www.shihtzu.org/Info/imperial.asp

Are you looking for a teacup chihuahua, Pomeranian, Yorkie, Maltese or any other extra small CUTE dog?

Are you looking for an Imperial shih-tzu?

Then look no further

Teacup Chis – http://www.chihuahuaclubofamerica.com/teacup.htm

Imperial Shih-Tzu – http://www.shihtzu.org/info/imperial.asp?menu=info

Teacup Yorkie – http://www.ytca.org/faq.html#A

Parti- Colored Yorkies – http://www.ytca.org/faq.html#C

teacup maltese – http://www.foxstonemaltese.com/teacupmaltese.htm

Have you gotten the point yet? It does not not not matter what any breeder of teacups, micro minis, imperials, majesty, teddy bears, tiny toy dogs tells you. Thy are breeding outside of the standard set down by the BREED CLUB. They are out to make money not provide you with a happy healthy pet with which to spend your life with.

There is no such thing as a teacup, tiny toy, micro mini etc etc etc

Yes the pet shop lied to you, the dogs came from a broker, puppymill or a bad breeder they are working with. The health guarantee is crap and unless you get a lawyer or raise a big stink no you won’t get your money back.

These dogs are already small enough as it is. They don’t need to be smaller and they don’t need to be carried around in a purse.

So this doesn’t get reported : So with this current trend to make everything smaller, what would you do if you haven’t already if you saw a so called mini or your medium sized or large breed dog?

If anyone hasn't guessed I am just sick to death of the summer of teacups and micro minis. Admittedly I prefer large dogs, but i used to live with a Shih-tzu who was full size and still a small dog. Well until he stretched out in the door way then he was a big pain in the a$$.
BBBBAAAADDDDD Dreamer very bad. ^_^
Damn I can't use the paddle? *smacks dreamer's hand

Good Girl : haha gotcha.

Lori – if you don't get the point then you missed the whole purpose of this question which is to EDUCATE the number of trend hound girls who visit this site asking about this extra mini dog or that one. Will they learn? Some will and that makes one less person who gets ripped off.

LOL teacup Pit Bull or teacup Mastiff, that would be a sight…the sad thing is theres probably someone out there that will try to make one.

if i seen one i would be very disappointed and disgusted just like i am with the smaller breeds

I have one named Snuffleupagus and she is my baby! Does anyone have an imperial and what is it like?? How much does yours weigh? Snuffy is very attatched to me. Does yours tend to cling to one person too?

Mine is named Fifi. She is is VERY imperial!! She gets very jealous when i pet my other dog and i don't pet her. She weighs about 15lb. She clings to me EVERY POSSIBLE MINUTE!!! She'll follow me EVERYWHERE!! Sleeps with me, takes a bath with me, EVERYTHING!!!!