IMPERIAL SHIH-TZU 2026
So much has changed with these little dogs since the 1990's!
Imperial shih-tzu are bred down to be smaller. There is NO "special gene" except if they are a "dwarf".
Smaller dogs bred to smaller dogs (5-8#) usually result in little shih-tzu, but still can produce an occasional "throwback" of a standard-size (9-16#) shih-tzu. Short legs are dominant.
THIS is HOW "Imperial Shih-Tzu" were developed by honest breeders, but other original Imp breeders crossed the shih-tzu with tiny breeds and back again to shih-tzu and OPENLY ADMITTED IT IN 1998 on the www. This is nothing new, just like the development of pure white shih-tzu with black noses and "dobie" marked shih-tzu. The line are now developed.
I have seen small pups (1.5# at 8 weeks) grow to 10# adults. That growth may be stunted by worms, infections and antibiotics. So don't go by growth charts. The charts are off on size. I have seen a Shih-Tzu at 6 months be 6# and stop growing. I have had 2# shih-tzu at 8 weeks, only grow to 6# as adults. It depends on genetics. I have seen 6 month, 6# shih-tzu grow to 12#. You can never tell. There are issues if the pups were ill as infant with a cold they can be growth stunted. One way you can tell a previously sick puppy is lack of coat from antibiotics and they can stunt the growth plates. A breeder who uses sulpha drugs, such as TMZ will produce dry eye in shih-tzu. I have had many a letter from people ripped off thousands of $$ for an ''Imperial" that grew to 20 lbs.
Go to very established Imperial breeders of whom you have seen what they produce before you get ripped off. In 2026, there are many very well-known Imperial breeders, BUT DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!! Don't ask me who, as I only recommend a few people in the shih-tzu world to protect myself.
There are little bloodlines from breeders who intentionally for years have downsized and now there are Imperial Bloodlines.
INBREEDING reduces size, but they are not dwarfs. Now there IS a DWARF GENE that produces scrawny little fragile bodies, with big heads and big bulging eyes. NEVER BUY ONE like this. The brain is likely hydrocephalic. and will die.
DWARFISM is a genetic defect of the bones and joints. Dwarfs often have water on the brain and should NOT be sold. They die early in life.
It is a recessive gene and should NEVER be reproduced intentionally.
Genes control the growth and development within the environmental limits.
You can intentionally stunt growth and development by improper nutrition and antibiotics. Totally unethical!
A KNOWN CARRIER WILL BE THE OFFSPRING OF A CARRIER OR HAS PRODUCED A DEFECT THEMSELVES.
A KNOWN CARRIER OF A GENETIC DEFECT SHOULD NEVER BE BRED.
I produce smaller ones because I sell Therapy dogs for people in wheelchairs that cant tolerate weight on thier legs. I too had a daughter like this and know this is the case. I had been repeatedly asked to raise healthy small ones and I downsized MY lines to do it for these people.