A Brief History of the Chinese Imperial Dog
Written by Karen Christensenã of Zhen Yi Chinese Imperial Dog
The ancestors of our Chinese Imperial Dog originated in the Imperial Palace Of China. The Chinese Imperial Dog was called Imperial, Hah-Pah, and the solid colored imperials were called Chin Ssu Ha-Pah in the Chinese Imperial Palace. In early English books they are called Imperial or “Pekinese Type” when they didn’t know what to call them. The Imperial was always a separate dog from the Pekinese, Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso. They were being bred along side them in the very early days but they were not the same dog. The Shih Tzu came much later. The Shih Tzu Kou or Liondog, as the early Imperials were called, were bred in the likeness of the Buddhist perception of the lion because when Buddha came to earth from heaven he rode on a lion. Therefore, the Imperials were also believed to be holy or tribute dogs and were highly prized. When an Imperial became too large then it was put to death as it was highly undesirable.
As you can see from this antique Chinese fan that the Imperial was a small dog indeed.
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In later years these larger Imperials were called a Shih Tzu. An old tapistry picturing an Imperial, Shih Tzu and a Pekinese was found recently dating to before the time of Christ. You can see the complete difference of the dogs in this tapestry. This puts to death a rumor that an Imperial is a Shih Tzu and that a Shih Tzu is a mix between a Llasa and a Pekinese. The Shih Tzu, Pekinese and Imperial have been completely separate breeds of dogs for more that 2000 years.
The early ancestors of the Imperial were given to the emperors of the Manchu dynasty of China as gifts of great honor and were only allowed to be owned by the emperors. In China the dogs became little temple dogs and were kept in the palace and carefully guarded and cared for by the court eunuchs. As the lion dogs were the property of the Royal family, they were not widely known outside the Imperial Palace and it is said that anyone unlawfully owning one was sentenced to death. However, it is thought that puppies which did not meet the Dowager Empress’s high standards, were secretly sold by the eunuchs to the nobility outside the palace. The Dowager Empress Tzu-Hsi was greatly interested in dogs and during her reign she was personally concerned with their breeding and welfare. They were bred to be loyal companions, bed warmers and would lie across the feet of the Emperor and Empress while taking take care of court business to keep their feet warm. She would keep a few Imperials and Shih Tzu around her at all times. At one time it was the fashion for the dogs to be carried in their kimono sleeves.2
After the death of the Dowager Empress in 1908, the breeding of the dogs was no longer important. The young Emperor and Empress were not interested in the dogs and some were given as gifts to noblewomen and men in England and the Netherlands.3 This is how the Imperial was introduced to the west. In 1938 an individual standard was set for the Shih Tzu. At the time the dog fanciers did not know what to do with the Imperials so they lumped them together in with the Shih Tzu. In the United States, fanciers obtained the first Shih Tzu in the late 1930’s and they gained even more popularity in the 1960’s with many imports coming from England and Europe.
Our Chinese Imperial Dogs went to the Netherlands and Australia and were kept pure bred and small.4 In the 1960’s a small few breeders brought them to the United States. These breeders fought hard to get them recognized but in their ignorance the AKC would only classify our lovely Chinese Imperials as Shih Tzu.5 This is how many of the imperials became mixed with the Shih Tzu.
Now the dedicated breeders of the Chinese Imperial Dog are fighting just as hard to get them recognized again. These breeders myself included have been breeding the Shih Tzu out of our imperials so as to have again the purity of the Chinese Imperial. We have been quite successful so far.
The Chinese Imperial dog was first accepted as it's own breed separate from the Shih Tzu by the NCA as of March 2005 and by the CPR, UABR, and the NKC in 2006. The Chinese Imperial Dog is also internationally recognized by the IPDBA. A breed club has been formed to support this new breed and is dedicated to promoting and preserving this wonderful little dog.
#1 Chinese Fans with the Chinese Imperial Dog found in Dogs of China and Japan in Nature and Art
#2 Dogs Of China And Japan In Nature And Art V. W. F. Collier
#3 This Is The Shih Tzu Allan Easton
#4 First Account from Jane Seng
#5 First Accounts from Ron Finney and Jane Seng
Copyright ã 2007 Karen Christensen All rights reserved.
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 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 eye
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 - 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
(CIDRA, 2008)
