I'm looking into purchasing an imperial shih tzu for my girlfriend. Does anyone have any info on the breed?

I just want to know the pros and cons about the breed and see if it is the right fit for our family.

I'm looking into purchasing an imperial shih tzu for my girlfriend. Does anyone have any info on the breed?
There is no such thing as an Imperial or Tiny Teacup Shih Tzu. These are just ill breed dogs who are the runt of the litter. They will have many health problems. There are many Shih tzu's on petfinder.com or in rescues. Generally, small dogs are difficult to housetrain and shouldn't be in a home with kids that don't know how to safely handle small breeds. Many people come into my vets office with a toy-sized puppy with broken bones from being stepped on or dropped. Some come in dead. If you are going to buy a shih tzu instead of rescuing then go through an akc breeder - they will not sell you a "teacup" or "imperial" puppy that is going to be sick its whole life, but a healthy dog with a good temperment. Stay away from backyard breeders. It will save you hundreds in vet bills.
Reply:All these people are nuts. We all know dogs have been bred for size for ages! I've had smaller bred shih tzus (Paris and Nicky) for years. Dare I call them "imperial" I would hate for someone and their "opinion" to try to rip me a new one. lol!!! Both my girls are 6lbs. I brought them home at 12 weeks and they weighed 2lbs. They are companion dogs...that is what were bred for! They want to be with you all the time. They are wonderful pets, i have never had problems but just like people we/they are all different. (I don't wear glasses but my twin does... go figure) Expect to pay more and expect to spend lots on upkeep but isn't that the idea if you're choosing a Shih Tzu in the first place??? Don't overlook the rescue groups, there are lots out there and they have puppies and mature dogs. It's not necessarily a dog from a puppy mill, keep in mind that some people pass away and there is no one to take care of their most precious possession.





One word of wisdom however... giving someone a pet of any kind if a major responsibility. Make sure you think the decision through fully... think about travel and over night stays. Think about vet costs, think about grooming and CLOTHES (they have to look good too) DO NOT fail at researching your breeder or the rescue group, I could imagine nothing worse than getting a puppy/dog only to have it become ill.





There are always bad people out there breeding puppies but they're bad people everywhere. There are good ones too! I'm in TN and if you're anywhere nearby I could give you some contact information.


-Rena rivercitygal668
Reply:***LMAO***!!!





"CON" is RIGHT!!!! THERE'S***NO SUCH THING***!!!! So,it's DEFINATELY a CON/SCAM!!!





A LIE/SALES-PITCH from a CROOK to SCAM the IGNORANT!!! RUN AWAY!!!


Then...RESEARCH!!!*NOT* here,these folks don't know which end bites! Go to the AKC site %26amp; READ THE BREED STANDARD!!!





NEVER,EVER buy on-line OR from a petstore OR a classified! *ONLY* CRAP from CROOKS is EVER available! ONLY buy DIRECT from a REPUTABLE breeder!
Reply:Breeding for the small size can result in severe congenital defects. Also, a dog under 5 pounds or so is more like a hamster in that you have to constantly protect it. I actually had to buy a "watch dog" for my 3 pound dog so that she could go out in the yard without worrying about owls, etc.





Any dog with long hair is going to be high maintenance, and any dog with a shortened snout will be prone to allergies and be at risk from the heat.





That's not to say that that isn't the dog for you and your GF, but be aware of the requirements of the dog before you buy.





Good luck, and good for you for asking.
Reply:I have a Shih Tzu. She is the best dog I've ever had, I love her dearly. My daughter owns two Shih Tzu's. They make great lap dogs. They are very "one person" oriented. They do not make good pets for people with small children. They have real hair and won't shed, however, because the hair grows, they need to be taken to the groomer for hair cuts. They are also known for medical problems, allergies, etc. My dog has problems with her thyroid and has terrible allergies, and is borderline Cushings Disease. She is by far the most expensive dog we've ever owned. Between her medical costs and medicine, hair cuts and special organic food, I spend around $200 per month on her. They are great companions and I wouldn't trade her for all the money in the world.
Reply:What does "Imperial" Shih Tzu mean according to Websters Dictionary? Of Superior or Unusual Size or Excellence.


'Imps' are 3 - 7 lbs. Ideally the male is under 7 lbs and the female under 8 lbs. Puppies are very loyal and make wonderful pets and companions with exceptional personalities. May even be loving and trusting to a fault. Imps don't understand that someone may not like them or that something bad might happen to them, they are slow to recognize aggression from other dogs or animals. They will walk up to any dog and go nose to nose, wagging their tails, especially other Imps.


It is extremely important to use a pet shampoo, not a product made for people. Using products made for people can really dry out a dog's coat. Bathe at least every other week. The short muzzle of a Shih Tzu causes them to place their face very close to things in order to smell them causing their face to frequently get dirty. The short muzzle can also cause more tearing than in the long muzzle breeds. Their face will need cleaning at least twice a week. Use a soft toothbrush to wash under the eye area and rinse well. If your Shih Tzu gets their feet dirty outside everyday, just wash the feet. Bathing too often will remove the natural oils necessary for a shiny, healthy coat. Brush them before AND after you bathe them. Brushing before makes the brushing afterward part much easier. Place some cotton balls in their ears before the bath. Water in the ears is one of the most common causes of ear infections. Please remember to remove these once you are done with the bath! Express the anal gland during bathing. This is a small sac right inside the anus that fills with a brownish fluid. Consult your vet or groomer if you need help. Be sure to blow dry thoroughly. If you choose not to bathe them yourself, try to find a groomer that will groom by individual appointment so that your puppy does not have to spend the entire day in a crate, that can be very stressful on a dog at any age. Make sure you find a reputable groomer. Holding down a wiggling puppy can be very stressful for them. Too much pressure and your puppy could develop health problems. You should bathe them yourself the first 4 months or so. That will help them get used to the bath and blow drier. They will not be as frightened during their first trip to the groomer. Coat needs to be brushed very often to prevent matted hair from forming. Change to a comb when grooming your Shih Tzu face, feet and under its ears. Pay special attention to the hairs in-between the feet pads. You should remove excess hair from its ear canal. Apply an ear powder to the hair in the ear canal and gently pull. teeth are prone to plaque, calculus, gingivitis and other periodontal disease. Housetraining means that you are training your puppy to urinate/defecate outdoors. Remember that your shih tzu wants to please you and will try its hardest to do just that. Your puppy will learn faster if you use positive praise and affection. - When you are unable to be home (or unable to pay 100% attention to the pup) never give your puppy full access of the house before they are one year of age. They are still too immature at this time of their life. Confining them while you are away or busy (in room with child safety gate) is the safe choice as well as the best and easiest way to housetrain. Or use a crate.
Reply:"Imperial" Shih Tzus are 3 1/2 to 6 pounds at maturity. The correct term is "Imperial" Shih Tzu not teacup Shih Tzu. http://www.shihtzu.org/Info/imperial.asp... This link gives you the information you will want to be aware of when purchasing a Shih Tzu.
Reply:My wife and I had one and it lived for 17 years. He was difficult to train and was only good as a companion dog. He had skin allergies and ear infections all the time. Grooming was time consuming and expensive.





He died about two months ago and we will not have another one.





I know this is negative, but I wish I would have been more careful in my selection of a high maintenance dog.
Reply:The breed part has been well covered so I cover the gift part. puppies make LOUSY suprise gifts - talk with your GF first or at least suprise her with a dog bowl %26amp; collar or a suffed dog with a home made certificate for the pup. Going %26amp; picking one out with her can be a great bonding moment