Tinypawz Imperial Shih-Tzus
Breeders of Chinese Imperial & Standard Shih tzu puppies in all colors.
Beautiful, Healthy & well Socialized.
copyright Tinypawz Imperial Shihtzus 2005, 2006 & 2007
Gary, Cindy & Gaylon Hendrix
PO Box 27
202 East 7th
Almyra, Ar 72003
870-992-0003
This is the Chinese Imperial Breed Standard & Chinese Imperial Breed Profile as per the Chinese Imperial Dog Club Of America.
Many have been very mislead about the tiny Shih-Tzus and this will help to verify that these tiny dogs are indeed their own breed.
You can get lots more information about the Chinese Imperials from the
Chinese Imperial Dog Club of America.
We are happy to be a part of this club.
Chinese Imperial Shih Tzu breeder of Chinese Imperial & Standard Shih Tzu puppies, teacup shih tzus & tiny shih tzu puppies at Tinypawz Imperial Shih Tzus
Chinese Imperial Dog Breed Standard

The purpose of the Chinese Imperial Dog is that of personal and family pet and companion. They are sturdy, happy, playful little dogs with an affectionate and loving temperament that is ideal for their role in life. They are intelligent, out-going, trusting and energetic little dogs that will also be content to sit quietly on a lap for as long as it is allowed. They are vivacious and cooperative with a streak of independence. Their facial expression is sweet, wide-eyed, and innocent. They are compact, well boned, and muscled dogs with substance appropriate to their size.

                   

SIZE PROPORTION AND SUBSTANCE

For both Dogs and Bitches, the ideal will weigh between four and seven pounds. The Chinese Imperial Dog should weigh less than 8.5 pounds and will be disqualified from the show ring if more than 9.0 pounds. The Chinese Imperial Dog measures less than 8.5 inches at the top of the shoulder and will be disqualified from the show ring if more than 9.0 inches. The length of the back from the shoulder to the junction of the spine and tail should be slightly longer than the measurement of the length from the shoulder to the ground. Bitches may be slightly longer that Dogs. The Chinese Imperial Dog should be penalized in direct proportion to the deviation thereof.

When viewed from the front the chest is broad, the legs straight, with elbows close to the body and feet pointed straight to the front. The rib cage should be well rounded with or without a slight tuck up behind the ribs. Over all, there should be sturdy bones and well-developed muscle and this dog is neither coarse nor delicate. The Chinese Imperial Dog is an efficient mover with good drive in the rear and reach in the front.

HEAD

The head of the Chinese Imperial Dog is the most distinctive part of the dog. It is large and round with the eyes set wide apart with a high forehead. It is carried high, well above the shoulders. Hair between the eyes or the top of the head should be either trimmed or pulled back and secured with an unassuming attachment of a simple elastic band, barrette or small bow. If the hair on the head is trimmed, small bows may be used on the ears.

EXPRESSION - Warm, sweet, wide-eyed, friendly, and trusting. An overall well-balanced and pleasant expression supersedes the importance of individual parts

                Fault - Narrow Head

EYES - Large and round placed well apart, neither deep set nor protruding. It is preferred that no eye white be showing when the dog is looking straight ahead. A small amount of eye white is acceptable, only when adding to expression.

                Fault - Small eyes

                      Lack of roundness

                      Close set eyes

                      Walleyed or cross eyed

 

EARS - Dropped ears, well coated, slightly below the top of the skull above eye level. Size is appropriate to the over all size and head size. The hair on the ears should have natural ear fringes with no evidence of trimming.

 

SKULL - Domed

 

MUZZLE - Wide and short, set no lower than the bottom eye rim and set at a 90-degree angle to the forehead. There is a definite stop. Straight and level from the stop to the tip of the nose. The length should be no more than 2/3 inch but may be slightly more on a large dog and should be less on very small dogs. The muzzle front should be flat with no protruding lower lip or chin.

                Fault - Lack of definite stop

                      Receding Chin

                      Long Muzzle - A curved or down sloping muzzle

 

BITE - Undershot. The jaw is broad and wide. Straight teeth are preferred but slightly misaligned or missing tooth is acceptable.

                Fault - Overshot bite

                      Teeth showing when the mouth is closed

                      Tongue which constantly protrudes from the mouth

 

NOSE - Appropriate size for the face with nares opening adequate for the size of the dog. Hair on the top of the nose should be trimmed close to the skin.

 

PIGMENTATION - The nose, lips, eye rims and pads of feet are black on all colors except lighter pigmented dog such as; cinnamon, chocolate and platinum. Permanent or temporary color changes and cosmetic enhancements are not allowed.

                Fault - Pink spots and or lack of pigment on nose, eye rims and lips.

 

NECK, TOPLINE AND BODY

 

NECK -  Long, graceful and sturdy, in proportion to the overall size of the dog.

 

BODY - Short-coupled and sturdy with or without a slight tuck up. The topline is level and straight. Bitches may be slightly longer than dogs.

 

CHEST - Broad and deep with a good spring of rib and depth of ribcage should extend to or just below the elbow.

 

CROUP - Flat

 

TAIL - Set high and carried over the back in a "teapot handle curve". It is well coated with a flowing plume with no evidence of trimming.

                Fault - Low set tail

                      Kinked tail

                      Tightly curled tail

                      Straight tail

 

FOREQUARTERES

 

SHOULDERS - Well angulated, well laid back, well laid in and fitting smoothly to the body.

 

LEGS - Straight, well boned, muscular, set well apart and under chest with elbows set close to body.

 

PASTERNS - Strong and perpendicular

 

HINDQUARTERS

The angulations of the hindquarters should be in balance with the forequarters.

 

LEGS - Well boned, muscular, and straight when viewed from the rear with well-bent stifles, not close set but in line with forequarters. The hair around the anus should me trimmed neat and clean.

                Fault - Hyperextension of hocks or cow hocked

 

DEWCLAWS - May be removed

 

FEET - Firm, well padded, pointing straight ahead. Feet should be trimmed neat and clean.

                Fault - Feet pointing out or in

 

COAT

COAT - Luxurious, double-coated and dense. Straight in preferable but a slight wave is acceptable. Dogs and bitches must be shown in a simple short to medium cut. The coat on the body and legs should be of equal length. Elaborate grooming is not allowed. The coat is not to be straightened or ironed and use of oil and colognes are not allowed. A light moisturizer/conditioner may be used after bathing.

                Fault - Single coat

                      Curly or kinky coat

 

COLOR AND MARKINGS - All colors and marking are acceptable and equal.

                Fault - Pink spots and/or lack of pigment

                      on nose, eye rims, and lips.

 

GAIT - The Chinese Imperial Dog is an energetic little dog that moves straight with good drive in the rear and reach in the front and should be shown at it's own natural speed. A dog that is raced, strung up, or held back will be penalized. The Chinese Imperial Dog should move in a smooth, effortless, and flowing manner with the topline level, the head up and the tail carried over the back.

 

DISQUALIFICATION CRITERIA

For both Dogs and Bitches, the ideal will weigh between four and seven pounds. The Chinese Imperial Dog should weigh less than 8.5 pounds and will be disqualified from the show ring if more that 9.0 pounds. The length of the back from the shoulder to the junction of the spine and tail should be slightly longer that the measurement of the length from the shoulder to the ground. Bitches may be slightly longer than Dogs. The Chinese Imperial Dog should be penalized in direst proportion to the deviation thereof.

 

The Chinese Imperial Dog is a canine of natural appearance and maintenance. Any Dog or Bitch with evidence of elaborate grooming, anywhere on the body, will be disqualified from the ring. Elaborate grooming is defined as an excessive long coat, or coat with evidence of special grooming techniques such as curlers, irons, hair spray, or hair treatments. The hair between the eyes and top of the head must be natural both in appearance and when felt. The hair should be trimmed or pulled back and secured with no evidence of special grooming techniques or enhancers, with an unassuming attachment of a simple elastic band, barrette, or small bow.

 

Serious Faults:

    Body - Roached back or curved topline

    Head - Narrow head

    Eyes - Close set eyes, walleye or cross eye, lack of roundness

    Muzzle - Lack of definite stop, receding chin, long muzzle, curved or down sloping

    Bite - Overshot

    Legs - Bowed legs, out at the elbows

    Tail - Straight tail

    Pigmentation - Pink spots and/or lack of pigment on nose, eye rims and lips

 

Minor Faults:

     Bite - Teeth showing when mouth is closed, tongue protrudes from the mouth

    Tail - Low set, kinked tail, tight curled tail

    Feet - Pointing out or in

    Coat - Single coat, curly or kinky coat

 

 

Copyright © 2006 Chinese Imperial Dog Club of America

Breed Profile

Overview: The purpose of the Chinese Imperial Dog is that of personal and family pet and companion. They are sturdy, happy, playful little dogs with an affectionate and loving temperament that is ideal for their role in life. They are intelligent, out-going, trusting and energetic little dogs that will also be content to sit quietly on a lap for as long as it is allowed. They are vivacious and cooperative with a streak of independence. Their facial expression is sweet, wide-eyed and innocent. They are compact, well boned and muscled dogs with substance appropriate to their size.

Area of Origin:
China

Date of Origin: 700 A.D. in some records.

Original Function: Foot Warmer to the Emperor

Today’s Function: companion

Height: Under 9 inches

Weight: Under 9 pounds

Coat: Trimmed to a puppy cut. Can be a beautiful assortment of colors including black, auburn, copper, champagne, cinnamon, chocolate and many more.

Character: The Chinese Imperial has an temperament and is outgoing, friendly, affectionate, happy and trusting towards all.

Temperament: This dog is a playful, energetic little dog that also loves to lay quietly on a lap for as long as it is allowed.

Care: If the coat is kept according to the standard: occasional bathing, ear care and regular clipping.

Training: Easy, these dogs just want to please. They do well in puppy classes.

Activity: Low, but loves to play.

Special Interest: The Chinese Imperial Dog was first bred in China in the Imperial Palace where the smaller ones were carried by the nobility in their kimono sleeves. After coming to the USA there were always breeders that bred the smaller dogs but the Chinese Imperial Dog did not receive recognition until March of 2005.

Classifications:
NCA: Toy Group

written by Karen Christensen  Zhen Yi Chinese Imperials

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