Tiny Imperial Shih Tzu

Home of the Imperial Shih Tzu 

What is an Imperial / Teacup Shih Tzu? Do They Actually Exist?

We, as breeders, did not create the labels "Imperial" or "Teacup." These words were already set in 

stone and have been used for decades.  Potential customers were asking  for "Imperial
Size" or "Teacup Size," and RARELY do we ever get a request for a "Standard" size Shih Tzu 

as defined by the American Kennel Club.  The words Imperial Shih Tzu and Teacup Shih Tzu are
commonly used to describe a particular size of Shih Tzu and are the words people use to describe the 

they are looking for.  As breeders, we began to use the words to communicate with customers.  

The small size Shih Tzu are NOT smaller because they are UNHEALTHY. This is a downright
myth or lie being spread by those who are in favor of only one size Shih Tzu.  A breeder of champion

and show lines will tell you that they also see the imperial sizes in their litters.  Many of these individuals do 

not want to see the small ones on the market.  Many of us breeders  have received threatening emails

and calls from these people telling us how wrong it is to have the small sizes.  

At Tiny Imperial Shih Tzu's, we breed both Standard and Imperials and we have both champion and show

 lines in both sizes.  We love both sizes in our dogs.  However, there is a huge market of individuals and families who 

prefer these smaller sizes.  They are easier to travel with and carry in bags.  Many people are taking 

them shopping, biking and carry them everywhere.  They are like little tiny treasures, with the same sweetness than the 

bigger guys.  They are like a rare exquisite jewel in the midst of all kinds of other jewels. 

They do require more work on the part of the breeder. Often, to keep them going at first 

because they are so small they have to be hand-fed and fed extra supplements like Nutri-cal daily. For these reasons of being
that tiny treasured, exquisite jewel, rare and unique from all the rest, and because of the all extra
labor involved in raising them, they command a higher price.

Most likely the small Shih Tzu's in the 6, 7 and 8 pound sizes were the very first to ever be brought into 

this world by the Chinese Empresses Dowager in the Imperial Palace of China. The bigger sizes were 

rejected by these early day breed conducted in the Palace. They were often destroyed or sold to the 

underground market.  The smaller ones were kept under careful guard, were the ones actually very 

much pampered that slept on satin pillows in the palace, that were owned by the elite and wealthy 

of that period of time, were given as gifts to the diplomats that visited the Imperial Palace as the 

most ultimate gift of all to ever receive from the Empresses. They were the Shih Tzu that was highly 

reverend and cherished. These little under the table dogs were sometimes so small the Chinese

could carry them in their sleeves.  A 9 to 16 lb. dog in your sleeve? Won't work no matter

how big that sleeve is. We owe all our bloodlines to these early breeders. So the legends of the Shih Tzu

are steeped in mysterious myths and stories which you can read in the history but  it is no 

wonder there is still so much controversy about them and...... about these little guys the most. 

The Imperials seem to be the most mysterious of all - another reason why they command 

a higher price tag. 

They are EXQUISITE LITTLE CREATURES.

The small Shih Tzu's actually do belong in a recognized in a class all their own and are now being called

Chinese Imperials.  Many of us breeders hope to see The American Kennel Club recognize them in their

own class.  Once such club working on this recognition is the NCICA.  You can visit their website at

www.ncica.com.  This club is one that is working on getting recognition for the small Shih Tzu's as well

as working on showing the smaller sizes.   

Right now, these little guys are still fairly scarce, which makes their value go up also. And they are
many times just as healthy as the bigger guys.

This was emailed to me.  I am not certain of the origins or whom the original author is to

give credit to them for their work.  I have added my own beliefs and additional information

to update the piece.