Chinese "Imperial" Shih-Tzu 
(Shih-Tzu some breeders claim to be 3-8 lbs full grown)
"Chinese Imperial Dog did not receive recognition until 
March of 2005
".
MY BIG QUESTION IS WHO "RECOGNIZED" THEM?
NOT AKC or American Shih-Tzu Club!
The BREEDERS THEMSELVES
because
IT'S ALL ABOUT MONEY, HONEY!
WILL THEY GUARANTEE TO YOU THE SIZE WILL NOT
EXCEED 8 LBS?
I KNOW MANY OF THOSE BREEDERS IN THE
CHINESE IMPERIAL CLUB AND THEY DON'T EVEN OWN A DOG UNDER 9 LBS.


Once upon a Time
there was a greedy person looking to make a lot of money
in the dog business. They had really poor quality shih-tzu,
so they had to think of a way to make money  with them.
That is when the
"Imperial Shih-tzu" idea was born!
They knew people loved itty-bitty dogs, so they "invented"
a "special Imperial gene" and advertised it.
In 1997 when the web came alive they REALLY pushed their runty little dogs who are
prone to liver shunts, hypoglycemia and seizures, like most downsized dogs.
IN 2005, in a desperate effort to con the public,
breeders of questionable integrity (according to some opinions),
started their own "Chinese Imperial"  breed standard.
They have a beautiful website to help convince you.
AKC does not recognize this as a variation of shih-tzu.
American Shih-Tzu Club is not happy with this effort to
ruin the shih-tzu breed standard.
Inbreeding downsizes any dog. But with it comes
double the bad genes for genetic defects.
"Midgets" are defective.
Midgets to midgets guarantee one thing...
a double defect with a short life span.
STILL want a "tiny" dog??
Get a YORKIE or MALTESE
www.kingdompups.com has tiny pups and is a great breeder!

I have many letters stating these "Imperials" can grew to 21 pounds!
Hmmmm...far from the size they claim they will be.
My 10 lb shih-tzu weigh barely 2 lbs at 8 weeks of age.
They are 3 oz at birth. Double the 12 week size= adult weight.

This is a newborn shih-tzu in my hand. I have a very small hand.
 It is NOT am "Imperial.
Don't buy the FAT LIE that a pup born this size will be a "tiny"
when full grown. This pup will grow to 10 lbs. It weighs 3 ounces now.


Here is the TYPICAL letter I get from people ripped off:

Here's excerpts from a letter I received Jan 2003,
I left names out, as not to get sued by this "IMPERIAL" Breeder

I have two shih tzus from XXXXXXX, whom I'm certain you must know, at least by reputation. My first pup,  is 12 lbs and beautiful. I figured I couldn't go wrong with another pup from XXXXX. We got #2  a year after #1. He is a frightened, skittish 16lb male with "bug eyes". While I love him dearly, he is not the beautiful specimen our #1 is.  XXXX was more interested in my $1500.00 than she was in selling me another "perfect" shih tzu. Fortunately for #2, I am a dog lover and will love and cherish him till death do we part. I am a stay at home retired person who loves her babies and am considering adding a third pup or adult to our brood.
I would actually prefer a adult female, on the small side (no more than 12lbs.) with a beautiful face and disposition.
Would you happen to have any that fit this description or know of a reputable person who may have such a dog available?
Both of my dogs are spayed/neutered and micro chipped through AVID. They  are spoiled rotten with love.
Please let me know if you can help me.

But that wasn't enough...they sell these dogs to others 
and tell them they would make LOTS of money breeding them.
So now we have LOTS of frauds breeding these "special little dogs"!
They admittedly CROSS BRED shih-tzu with other breeds and then
back to shih-tzu to downsize. In the process, they registered them all AKC.
Most of these crooks have lost their AKC privileges when DNA testing
revealed the crosses!
People have been writing me and sending pictures since 1997
of these MUTTS. 
There is nothing that can be done once you get taken. 
My advice to you, is when you see the word "Imperial", CLICK ON BY!
These people all has the same fictional story about how they are produced.
SEE IF THEY WILL GUARANTEE THE ADULT SIZE OR REFUND YOUR MONEY!
You can downsize by inbreeding, which most breeders do, but take these idiots inbreeding
and who KNOWS what they will get. Example below?
Here's an example for you of an obvious cross sold as a shih-tzu (she has never been shaved).


This pup below
 is a puppy-mill "Imperial Shih-tzu" I rescued.
Actually, I had to give $200.(cheap, they usually are $1200)
 to get it to be able to photograph it 
 because NO ONE would allow me to publish their
poor quality "Imperial" to SHOW YOU what POOR QUALITY they are!


This dog has a cute face and the buck stop
s there.
It's bite is good. That's good, because it can now
healthfully eat it's way up to the expected 13+ lbs
I expect it will be.
At 4 months see currently weighs 6.5 lbs!
It is roached back, even sitting.
It's hair is like a wire haired terrier, which
won't grow, despite the best food for a month now.
It has weird shoulders. I can't explain them. Not typical "Shih-Tzu".
She has eye white, barks all the time and is "flighty".
Yes, THIS IS AN "IMPERIAL SHIH-TZU!"
NOW...do you want the above dog or a REAL SHIH-TZU
from GLORY RIDGE, like THIS:

Here's a EXAMPLE LETTER for ALL YOU STILL IN DOUBT.
I have MORE FACTS on my GENETICS PAGE.

 

Now I have had NORMAL size pups get VERY ill after a vaccination
and go from healthy and robust to VERY ILL.
The illness and antibiotics SEVERELY stunts growth as does COCCIDIA.

HERE is a HEALTHY Pup at 12 weeks.
|
Weighs 5 lbs at 12 weeks.
Below  is the pup who was ILL at 12 weeks (brother and sister) but was the SAME
weight at 8 weeks as her brother above.  Was sick 4 weeks fro vaccine and
Weighs 2 lbs at 12 weeks.

So did I RIP people off and call the SICK DOG an "IMPERIAL"? 
NO! I GAVE IT AWAY!

Any dog who looks like this dog in the basket is SICKLY!


Dear Karen
I actually had a Shih Tzu that weighed 3.5 lbs at her adult weight. She was a standard size puppy but had an underlying health problem that caused her to not reach her full size. Some weird genetic thing - the name escapes me. I did have a health guarantee, but decided not to use it. I have a friend who's a Vet so the cost of her treatment was not an issue. It angers me horribly to constantly hear people say that they have a "miniature" or "toy" or my favorite: "The Teacup" - Shih Tzu or Chihuahua. It just shows that they have no clue what the dog should weigh or if they are familiar with the breed standard then they are simply disregarding it. But, let's face it: If these people cared one iota about a breed standard then they wouldn't be looking to buy that "mini" Shih Tzu or Chihuahua. That's like saying you want a "giant" Dane or Wolfhound. Another source of irritation is the mass obsession with the "Taco Bell dog". Do these people not research a breed before they decide to buy? That is the WORST representation of the breed that I've seen in a very long time! And, now, that's what people want. I can tell you that when someone sees one of my Chihuahuas in public and says "It doesn't look like the "Taco Bell dog" I'm extremely tempted to let all of my good manners fly out of the window. Frankly, it was refreshing to finally see in print the views that I've had for so long. Since I was 15 and got my first job at an animal hospital. You see such CRAP coming through there! Like what I thought was a terrier mix - it was a 27 lb Chihuahua. Or that's what the owner's PAPER said. Anyhow, I'm sure you get lots of hate mail about the Imperial thing. If so, it's sad that there's such ignorant people out there. Screw 'em! The conviction and dedication to the breed that your website illustrates is a wonderful thing. 

Abby



Date: 01/03/05 22:36:12
To: Karen@gloryridge.com
Subject: Imperials

I have spent the last 2 hours browsing that abomination of a pet broker
site, Wizard of Claws, which is where I first saw the term "Imperial". A
web search led me to your site. I just read your diatribe on Imperials and
had to laugh. Good on ya. If I see one more picture of a "super extra
special tiny" deformed, stunted, sick, crossbred puppy I will barf. I had
a client recently pay $1500 for a "teacup Yorkie" and she was extremely
angry with me when I explained that there was no such thing. The "teacup",
"Imperial", "miniature" dogs I see in practice are unhealthy and many are
obvious crosses. Ever seen a Chihuahua-Sheltie cross? Apparently that's
how you get a mini Sheltie. How I wish people would educate themselves
before impulsively buying, or at least ask someone who ought to know (their vet)!
Anyhow, thanks for the rant. I may have to do one of my own soon. :)

Dr. Wilkie, DVM
Canada

 American Shih-tzu Club comments on "Imperial Shih-Tzu" at
http://64.37.122.206/Info/imperial.asp?menu=Info

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