Shih Tzu Information Center
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What are Miniature, Tea Cup & Imperial Shih Tzu Dogs?
The truth About Miniature, Tea Cup & Imperial Shih Tzu Dogs
Their is only 1 Shih Tzu breed dog. The dog weighs between 9 and 16 pounds (4.08 to 7.25 kilograms).
Why do so many people believe that there are also Imperial, Miniature or Tea Cup Shih Tzu dogs?
Because dogs that are unnaturally tiny are given this name. How does a Shih Tzu become so tiny? It is usually because of very unethical breeding; however it is normal for ethical breeders to have smaller than average dogs, as Mother Nature sees fit.
Let's discuss why and how dogs are labeled as Imperial, Miniature or Tea Cup Shih Tzu and what to do if you already have an undersized dog.
Why do so many people believe that there are also Imperial, Miniature or Tea Cup Shih Tzu dogs?
Because dogs that are unnaturally tiny are given this name. How does a Shih Tzu become so tiny? It is usually because of very unethical breeding; however it is normal for ethical breeders to have smaller than average dogs, as Mother Nature sees fit.
Let's discuss why and how dogs are labeled as Imperial, Miniature or Tea Cup Shih Tzu and what to do if you already have an undersized dog.
This is a 7 month old Shih Tzu, severly small and dubbed an "Imperial" Shih Tzu... .a breed that does not exist. This dog is tiny because of unethical breeding and will most likely be much more prone to having health issues.
Overview
So many people love tiny dogs. There is a great market all over the world of people wanting a very small dog. There is a false belief that if a person is able to obtain a miniature version of a dog breed, that they truly found a special dog. Potential owners are sometimes told that these dogs have the Imperial gene in their bloodline. This is not true.
Knowing that many people crave the mythical false breeds, some Shih Tzu breeders have happily been using the terms: Imperial, Miniature and Tea Cup Shih Tzu as if these are real terms. These are not real Shih Tzu breeds.
Why Are There So Many Imperial, Miniature or Tea Cup Shih Tzu Breeders?
When selling anything, even dogs, the rule of supply and demand takes place. What the public demands to have, is what will be supplied. As the term Imperial Shih Tzu became known, this led many people to believe it existed! While this breed was a myth, breeders began to "create" this false breed. Becuase the terms Imperial, Miniature or Tea Cup Shih Tzu causes many people to think of a highly rare, precious and special dog breed, the breeders continue to sell dogs that they label this way.
If the Imperial Shih Tzu is Not Real, What Are These Dogs?
There are 2 types of Shih Tzu breeders. The first type will sell regular breed standard Shih Tzus and for the sake of making people happy, they will call them Miniature, Tea Cup or Imperial Shih Tzus. However the dog will be a breed standard Shih Tzu and therefore: healthy.
The other type of dog breeder is one who purposely sets out to breed unnatural undersized dogs. The way in which they do so is very unethical!
How is a Miniature or Imperial Dog Bred?
The unethical way in which a breeder supplies extremely tiny Shih Tzu dogs is quite shocking. There are 4 main ways that a dog breeder will do this:
1. A breeder will take 2 runt dogs and breed them together, hoping to produce dogs that are smaller than average. As long as they find 2 runts, they do not take into account the bloodlines or the compatibility of the 2 dogs.
2. There are dog breeders that force the mother Shih Tzu's into labor early. They then have pre-mature puppies and what would normally be an 8 week old Shih Tzu is actually a dog that should just have been born!
3. Some breeders deny the pregnant mother dog the vital nutrients that she needs to grow healthy pups. Given very little to eat, the puppies will not grow to their full potential.
4. Other breeders may lie about the dog's age. A simple change on documents will make a potential owner believe that they are getting a 6 month old Imperial Shih Tzu when the dog is in fact a 3 month old normal Shih Tzu breed dog.
Are Tea Cup, Miniature or Imperial Shih Tzu Dogs Healthy? Is it Okay to Purchase One?
If a breeder mislead you regarding the dog's age, there should not be any additional health issues more than normal for the breed.
However, if a Shih Tzu is unnaturally tiny due from unethical breeding as listed above, the dog can have many health issues. If the pup's mom was denied food and nutrients, both mom and puppy will suffer the consequences. This will cause calcium deficiency. Vital internal organs will be affected. This can cause everything down the road from liver failure to heart disease. Premature Shih Tzu dogs will often have health issues such as breathing problems and eating problems. Any dog that is unnaturally tiny will have issues with their organs that are unnaturally tiny. Great care must be taken.
What Do I Do if I Already Purchased a Tea Cup or Other Tiny Shih Tzu?
Getting to your dog's veterinarian must be the first priority. An experienced vet may be able to determine in what way the dog was "created" to be too tiny. Through testing should be done to check for any health issues or pending health issues. A dog that is much smaller than nature intended will need special care. Most importantly, careful monitoring of food intake. Usually food must be introduced slower than usual to a "Miniature Shih Tzu". If food is not tolerated at all, your dog's veterinarian may prescribe a formula for you to give to your puppy.
These "too tiny" dogs are usually very sensitive to temperature. These dogs often have difficulty adjusting to temperature changes and care must be taken to protect the dog when outside in the cold, just as putting dog clothes on the Shih Tzu. They may also overheat more easily.
Bones are usually fragile. Care must be taken so that the puppy or dog does not fall. Using ramps to help the dog get off and on furniture is helpful. Socialization with larger dogs is dangerous, as they may be injured very easily in what should be normal dog play.
Keeping regular checkups with the veterinarian is most important. Catching health issues in the beginning stages will be the best strategy for battling any health issues.
Looking for an ethical, devoted, honest and reputable Shih Tzu breeder? With hundreds of breeders across the USA, we have interviewed and screened all of them for you.
Looking for the best of the best? Look to our chosen few...the Best of the Best.
Knowing that many people crave the mythical false breeds, some Shih Tzu breeders have happily been using the terms: Imperial, Miniature and Tea Cup Shih Tzu as if these are real terms. These are not real Shih Tzu breeds.
Why Are There So Many Imperial, Miniature or Tea Cup Shih Tzu Breeders?
When selling anything, even dogs, the rule of supply and demand takes place. What the public demands to have, is what will be supplied. As the term Imperial Shih Tzu became known, this led many people to believe it existed! While this breed was a myth, breeders began to "create" this false breed. Becuase the terms Imperial, Miniature or Tea Cup Shih Tzu causes many people to think of a highly rare, precious and special dog breed, the breeders continue to sell dogs that they label this way.
If the Imperial Shih Tzu is Not Real, What Are These Dogs?
There are 2 types of Shih Tzu breeders. The first type will sell regular breed standard Shih Tzus and for the sake of making people happy, they will call them Miniature, Tea Cup or Imperial Shih Tzus. However the dog will be a breed standard Shih Tzu and therefore: healthy.
The other type of dog breeder is one who purposely sets out to breed unnatural undersized dogs. The way in which they do so is very unethical!
How is a Miniature or Imperial Dog Bred?
The unethical way in which a breeder supplies extremely tiny Shih Tzu dogs is quite shocking. There are 4 main ways that a dog breeder will do this:
1. A breeder will take 2 runt dogs and breed them together, hoping to produce dogs that are smaller than average. As long as they find 2 runts, they do not take into account the bloodlines or the compatibility of the 2 dogs.
2. There are dog breeders that force the mother Shih Tzu's into labor early. They then have pre-mature puppies and what would normally be an 8 week old Shih Tzu is actually a dog that should just have been born!
3. Some breeders deny the pregnant mother dog the vital nutrients that she needs to grow healthy pups. Given very little to eat, the puppies will not grow to their full potential.
4. Other breeders may lie about the dog's age. A simple change on documents will make a potential owner believe that they are getting a 6 month old Imperial Shih Tzu when the dog is in fact a 3 month old normal Shih Tzu breed dog.
Are Tea Cup, Miniature or Imperial Shih Tzu Dogs Healthy? Is it Okay to Purchase One?
If a breeder mislead you regarding the dog's age, there should not be any additional health issues more than normal for the breed.
However, if a Shih Tzu is unnaturally tiny due from unethical breeding as listed above, the dog can have many health issues. If the pup's mom was denied food and nutrients, both mom and puppy will suffer the consequences. This will cause calcium deficiency. Vital internal organs will be affected. This can cause everything down the road from liver failure to heart disease. Premature Shih Tzu dogs will often have health issues such as breathing problems and eating problems. Any dog that is unnaturally tiny will have issues with their organs that are unnaturally tiny. Great care must be taken.
What Do I Do if I Already Purchased a Tea Cup or Other Tiny Shih Tzu?
Getting to your dog's veterinarian must be the first priority. An experienced vet may be able to determine in what way the dog was "created" to be too tiny. Through testing should be done to check for any health issues or pending health issues. A dog that is much smaller than nature intended will need special care. Most importantly, careful monitoring of food intake. Usually food must be introduced slower than usual to a "Miniature Shih Tzu". If food is not tolerated at all, your dog's veterinarian may prescribe a formula for you to give to your puppy.
These "too tiny" dogs are usually very sensitive to temperature. These dogs often have difficulty adjusting to temperature changes and care must be taken to protect the dog when outside in the cold, just as putting dog clothes on the Shih Tzu. They may also overheat more easily.
Bones are usually fragile. Care must be taken so that the puppy or dog does not fall. Using ramps to help the dog get off and on furniture is helpful. Socialization with larger dogs is dangerous, as they may be injured very easily in what should be normal dog play.
Keeping regular checkups with the veterinarian is most important. Catching health issues in the beginning stages will be the best strategy for battling any health issues.
Looking for an ethical, devoted, honest and reputable Shih Tzu breeder? With hundreds of breeders across the USA, we have interviewed and screened all of them for you.
Looking for the best of the best? Look to our chosen few...the Best of the Best.
