Imperial Shih TzuTeacup Shih TzuImperial Shih Tzu is a term often used in describing undersized Shih Tzu's. Also known as Teacups, these controversial dogs are generally bred by unethical and irresponsible breeders. If you are thinking about buying an Imperial, please read on to find out exactly why you shouldn't purchase one.Imperial Shih Tzu - The Truth About These DogsFirst of all, the Imperial Shih Tzu isn't a recognized breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the American Shih Tzu Club (ASTC). If this is not a major warning sign, we are not sure what is! According to the AKC, a Shih Tzu is suppose to be between 9 and 16 lbs and height between 8 - 11 inches. This standard is not only regulated by the AKC but also by many other purebred dog registries worldwide which have based their standards according to the Peking Kennel Club of 1938.Imperial Shih Tzu - The FactsImperial or Teacup breeders will normally start off by obtaining a normal sized Shih Tzu, breed the dog and then select the smallest puppy from the litter. This small puppy, also known as the runt, will be allowed to reach sexual maturity and then it will be crossbred with runts from other litters, thus creating Imperial Shih Tzu puppies. These pups are then advertised as being rare, designer dogs with special "imperial genes". This type of marketing allows the breeders to charge hefty prices for each puppy.According to the American Shih Tzu Club, this whole Imperial thing is just a myth. In essence, there is no such breed known as an Imperial Shih Tzu. This is just a term that was invented by unethical breeders trying to make big profits at the expense of the innocent "standard" Shih Tzu. By purposely downsizing the Shih Tzu, which is already a toy breed to begin with, these breeders are reducing the inherent characteristics of the breed which took centuries to develop and perfect. This is an extremely poor practice and should never be condoned.
Imperial Health IssuesImperial and Teacup Shih Tzu dogs are also prone to numerous health issues. These problems include but are not limited to:1) Prone to illnesses and allergies - Imperial Shih Tzu's usually have suppressed immune systems which can lead to the dogs developing serious illnesses easily. 2) Poor eye placement: Because the heads of these Teacup Shih Tzu's are so small, there is hardly enough space for proper eye placement. The result of this is an animal with bulgy eyes, excessive eye whites and a somewhat disfigured appearance. 3) Hypoglycemia: Also known as low blood sugar. This can cause confusion, lack of energy, loss of balance and even seizures in the dogs. 4) Open fontanel: A fontanel is the soft spot located on the top of the head. Many times, an Imperial's fontanel never hardens. This means that if the dog ever bumps himself hard enough in the wrong place, this could be the last mistake he will ever make. 5) Prone to Hydrocephalus: This is a condition where there is a build up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. This can lead to an early death in severe cases. In mild cases, the effects are still quite bad as it reduces the ability of the dog to learn (making housebreaking difficult, for example). He/she might also suffer from vision problems, seizures, abnormal behavior and more.
SummaryBased on the facts above, is it really an ethical practice to purchase an Imperial or Teacup Shih Tzu? Is supporting the creation and trade of these animals right? No, it isn't. By supporting these breeders, we would only be perpetuating a cycle which would cause more suffering to the beloved Shih Tzu breed.If you do desire to purchase a small Shih Tzu, what you can do is find a reputable, responsible Shih Tzu breeder and inquire about the runts of their litters. It is common for most litters to have a runt. Another option is to look at another smaller breed that fits your size specifications like the Chihuahua, Pomeranian, etc. We urge you to make the right choice.
More Interesting Pages...Shih Tzu Health Problems
Imperial Shih Tzu CommentsDo you have an opinion about Imperial Shih Tzu's? Have you ever owned an Imperial or Teacup? Give us your thoughts, questions and comments about these highly controversial dogs. What Other Visitors Have Said About ImperialsClick below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
This is dog cruelty
New thoughts on imperials....
Chanel - Imperial Shih Tzu
Little Tea Cup Shih-Tsu
My views on the 'imperial' shihtzu
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