Teacup Shih Tzu dogs are also called "imperial" and "tiny teacup". These are the little bitty dogs in small sizes. The terms "imperial" or "teacup" are used interchangeably by some breeders. Also some breeders use "imperial" for the smallest dogs in the 3 to 5 pound category and "teacup" for slightly larger dogs in the 5 to 6 pound size.
These dogs exist because there is a demand for them. The size is cute and all that Shih Tzu attitude in a small package is part of the appeal. The story is that the smaller Shih Tzu is truly a descendant of the dogs from the Chinese Royal Palace, thus the "imperial" description. So the idea is that these are truly the descendants of the royal lines.
Fact is, the official American Kennel Club and the American Shih Tzu Club standards call for a weight of 9 to 16 pounds. The breed is classified as a Toy breed and is already a small dog when bred to the breed standard. Also this standard weight matches closely the weight of the Shih Tzu as described by the Peking Kennel Club in 1938. The breed standard describes a rugged, stocky little dog that is small, but not at all fragile.
So, the really tiny Shih Tzu dogs do not meet the breed standard and are really a fad dog created to please a market looking for a dog that is not really a Shih Tzu. Now that would be OK as long as the dog itself is not harmed by this move. But in fact breeding for extreme small size can be harmful to the dogs in several ways. Consider how you can develop an extremely small Shih Tzu in a short period of time.
To get a really small dog quickly, there are only a couple of choices. The first is to select as parents the smallest dogs available and breed those dogs. Then continue selecting for small dogs over a period of time in subsequent matings. The problem with this approach is that if size is the main selection criteria, other traits will be ignored. This usually results in health problems because your unbalanced selection methods will almost always end up breeding unhealthy dogs simply because they are small. A dog can be small and healthy or an unhealthy runt with physical problems. Also tiny female dogs struggle with birthing and have very small litters usually.
Another approach is to breed a standard size Shih Tzu to a small dog of another breed. This may produce a smaller healthy dog but the dog will lack some of the characteristics of the Shih Tzu. Also any offspring of the crossbred dogs will show great variation in characteristics. You will not get offspring like the parents.
The standard Shih Tzu is a robust, balanced small dog. They are healthy, active dogs with good form and strength. Be careful if you choose a teacup Shih Tzu. It may be better to choose a different breed if you want a truly tiny pet dog.
Once you accept a Shih Tzu into your life, you marvel at how vivacious and friendly they are. They can help you cope with your problems by helping you take a different perspective - theirs. After a couple of years, you begin to wonder how you ever could have existed without a Shih Tzu, because they bring you so much and ask for so little in return. Once you get to know one Shih Tzu, you can't help but care for the welfare of all Shih Tzus and all dogs.
These torture chambers for dogs are called puppy mills. There, dogs have no exercise, usually no vet care and live in tiny wire cages until they can no longer breed, then they are shot or pummeled to death. One central Pennsylvania puppy mill worker defended puppy mills as saying that "Puppies are biodegradable." (Source: Philadelphia Inquirer.) Very rarely do people buy directly from puppy mills - they buy indirectly through pet stores that sell puppies and through web sites.
Even Hitler didn't deserve to live in a puppy mill (well, maybe), let alone innocent dogs that never committed a crime or bore anyone a grudge. If you want to stop puppy mills, then you have to do certain things. You can write to your local politicians demanding the end to puppy mills. You could support charities fighting to bring about the end of puppy mills. And, you can bring down puppy mills in the nicest way of all - buying your next puppy from a Shih Tzu breeder or adopting one from a Shih Tzu rescue.
Sometimes Shih Tzu rescues and your local animal shelters might have Shih Tzu or Shih Tzu mix puppies for adoption. Six to nine months of age is one of the times dogs are most abandoned. They've passed their really cute puppy stage and cold reality is setting in. If you bought a puppy on impulse (which often happens in a pet store), then you may be saddled with a dog that you are not compatible with.
Not only are you getting your next best friend from an ethical source, a reputable Shih Tzu breeder, you are getting a healthy dog too. Most importantly, you get the assurance that you and your Shih Tzu are matched in personality and temperament.
Reputable Shih Tzu breeders will quiz you extensively on your Shih Tzu information and if you've ever lived with dogs before. Don't be surprised if you are asked for personal references or have to have your home checked! Reputable Shih Tzu breeders, in living so closely with the puppies and their parents, will know the quirks of each puppy's personality and match them to yours.
Reputable Shih Tzu breeders will also include health certificates, AKC registration, the first shots and worming. They usually have a limited health warranty, but often have a "right of first ownership" if, in the life of the dog, you ever have to give the dog up. The breeder would get the dog back.
How's that for pet insurance! And you can often call up a reputable Shih Tzu breeder to ask for help and advice on training your feisty Shih Tzu puppy.
Both Alan Bullington & Rebecca Simpson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.