What is the difference between shih tzu and imperial shih tzu

If you decide that you want to add an Imperial Shih Tzu to your family, or maybe you've already met one that has stolen your heart, the AKC suggests that you find a reputable breeder. Beware of breeders that create mini pups by dealing with ill dogs that already possess several health issues, or even worse, some breeders that intentionally introduce a specific gene that causes dwarfism.

These breeders have created an entire market of "luxury pups" that have become a staple in celebrities' handbags. There is no denying the fact that these miniature pooches are adorable to look at, but it's essential to know exactly how they are bred. Some Imperial Shih Tzu are bred to be smaller simply by putting together two healthy runts from different litters.

Other Imperials are dogs that were bred appropriately from two purebred Shih Tzu, but weighed in just under the 9-pound standard, and therefore cannot be considered a Standard Shih Tzu.

In cases like this, the dogs may not be too far off from the breed standard. Shih Tzu that weigh approximately 7 or 8 pounds, while not considered purebred, can still be very sturdy and not present the same large number of health issues as their teacup counterparts. If you want a smaller Shih Tzu, the dogs that weigh closer to that 7 or 8-pound mark would be your best bet for a healthy and ethically bred dog. There is nothing wrong with choosing an Imperial Shih Tzu as your next pet, but it is important that you fully research the breeder that you will use.

Standard and Imperial Shih Tzu can be wonderful dogs, but it is your responsibility to know where your new pup is coming from and its history and bloodline. These micro-dog puppy mills are an unfortunate result of dishonest, unethical breeding, and mislead people into believing that Imperial Shih Tzu are an exclusive and true dog breed. For more interesting facts about the lovable Shih Tzu make sure to check out the rest of our blog!

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Energy healing for dogs include acupuncture, Reiki, healing touch, Qigong, and homeopathic medicine that may improve a dogs overall health. Empress T'zu Hsi regarded them as sacred. The Dalai Lama had gifted her a pair, and the dogs enjoyed their own palace under the Empress's care. During the Ming Dynasty, the Shih Tzu were considered the exclusive property of the royal court. Illegally owning a Shih Tzu was punishable by death.

The same punishment applied to anyone who stole or intentionally harmed a Shih Tzu. Many royal families took breeding Shih Tzu very seriously.

It was a matter of pride. During the centuries to follow, the breed would be refined. This was thanks to the ceremonial importance of breeding Shih Tzu with desired traits. These traits included fine coats and colors. The first record of a pair of Shih Tzu in Britain appeared in They were brought into the country by the wife of the quartermaster general of the North China command. In , a single Shih Tzu was introduced to Ireland by a Mrs.

These three dogs were the first breeding pairs of what would become the Lady Brownrigg kennel. After that, it wasn't long before the breed made its way to the US. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club as a member of the toy group. The Imperial Shih Tzu is still essentially the same breed but derived from bloodlines that were smaller.

They are, therefore, not officially a breed of their own. This adds to the confusion regarding the two distinct sizes. The Imperial Shih Tzu has most of the standard Shih Tzu characteristics, only scaled down to an adorable teacup size. They are recognized by their puffy mane and stubby faces.

They are a tiny breed, fitting their 'teacup' title. Their shared characteristics with their larger kin include the famously fine coat. Their coat is silky to the touch and grows fast. They come in gold, brown, white, black, black and white, and brindle. The Imperial Shih Tzu does not get much taller than six inches. To classify as a teacup Shih Tzu, the dog should weigh no more than seven pounds. But they maintain the sturdy build of the Shih Tzu breed. Minimal exercise. Only short daily walks or playtime or enough.

Good for apartments. Housing should be proofed to avoid injury. The Imperial Shih Tzu has spikes of energy. But, because they are so tiny, they tend to wear themselves out quickly. They may be hyper-energetic for a bit and then go straight into a nap.

The Imperial Shih Tzu is categorized as a 'toy' breed, which essentially means it is a small lapdog. It is so ancient that most of the breed's hunting instincts were bred out of them long before a Beagle ever caught its first rabbit. The Imperial Shih Tzu has no real need for space and is well suited to tiny homes and apartments.

They may even do better in smaller areas as these can be adequately secured and proofed to protect such a little pet. This is particularly true for smaller gardens. They are brave, perhaps even bold-natured, and their diminutive size doesn't temper their enthusiastic personalities. This could be a cause for concern if you have other, larger dogs, especially dogs with a strong hunting instinct. Dogs like the German Shepherd may be inclined to react aggressively to teacup dogs or hurt them by pure accident due to the size difference.

The first-time Imperial Shih Tzu parents should always seek guidance from a vet. You may decide on premade or homemade food , but you should always consider your teacup Shih Tzu's size and age. The best diet for your dog is always the best one for their age. Guidance from your vet will help you decide what your pet needs at different stages of its development. A diet appropriate for a puppy or young adult may not be ideal for an older one. They do best with a diet plan that breaks their meals up over the day.

This helps their tiny tummies digest enough food to keep them happy and healthy. It also prevents them from becoming hypoglycemic. First-time owners might struggle with restricting treats. This is important because they are prone to weight gain, which is a severe problem in such a small pup.

Many owners find that their Imperial Shih Tzu has food allergies. These can vary in intensity. Keep in mind that allergies can develop at any age. If you plan on taking a Shih Tzu pup home, you may want to learn which type is best for you. Instead, it boasts of its adorable appearance and personality.

This way, you can ensure getting the most out of your preference. Shih Tzus have been around for quite a long time already. As I said earlier, the name may suggest fierce and strong. Since they are around for some time, this breed branched and had some changes and branched out into a few types. In general, the main aspects that set them apart from the other are usually appearance and size.

Here is our in-depth take on each of the eight types of Shih Tzus to help you in understanding and choosing. The Teacup Shih Tzu earned its name for being small.

Although we can say that this breed is tiny among other dogs, the teacups are the tiny ones of the bunch. According to some guides, this type of Shih Tzu remains small due to some manipulation. The Teacup Shih Tzu is prone to health concerns.

Thus, people who want such should understand the risks involved. They are prone because they usually are products of breeding two runts of the litter. The genetically manipulated breeds end up with health problems. Of course, if you want to get a teacup, the breeder would disclose such things to you. Moreover, they would give you everything you need to know about taking care of your pet. Setting health aside, these dogs are the same as other Shih Tzus when it comes to attitude.

They are jolly and a great companion for anyone in the family. Learn more about Teacup Shih Tzu. Another type you can consider is the Black Shih Tzu. Among the other kinds, these are the rarest. Of course, you can see Shih Tzus with a touch of black in their fur. Even those with solid color usually have some secondary color beneath. Often, the coat has an offset of a secondary color. Be mindful, though. One other thing about Black Shih Tzus is that prolonged exposure to the sun may affect its color.

Such incidents usually happen during summer, when the sun is at its strongest. Learn more about Black Shih Tzu. People often take the Imperial Shih Tzu as a purebred.

Thus, this kind of Shih Tzu is an impure breed, considered a smaller version of the purebred. If you would put the Imperial and the purebred side by side, you can tell the difference between the two. The pure ones are more prominent, while the Imperial Shih Tzu is the smaller one. According to the NKC, the acceptable height of purebreds are 10 to 11 inches.

Its weight should be at an average of 7 pounds. In creating the Imperial pup, breeders often pick the runt of the litter as the parents. Thus, most offspring often end up with genetic defects. Learn more about Imperial Shih Tzu. The Brown Shih Tzu, by its name, comes in brown color. Thus, this kind is usually known as chocolate colored. Some of the Brown Shih Tzus have a solid brown color.

In most cases, these have a liver color.