The National Chinese Imperial Canine Association provides the following services: the Club
maintains a studbook for the registration of Chinese Imperials; the Club provides a written
standard for the Chinese Imperial Dog;  and the Club holds a speciality for the
Chinese Imperial Dog.

National Chinese Imperial
Canine Association
The Miniature Shih Tzu Club of America has closed its doors in favor of the National Chinese
Imperial Canine Association. This is a non-profit organization. In 2005 the club was recognized by
the National Canine Association. I invite you to follow the links below to learn more about both
clubs and how you can become involved.
Why Did the NCICA Choose to Allow Imperials to Be Shown
Clipped?


Though the Shih Tzu is one of the most popular breeds in America today (The breed ranked 9th
in AKC registration in 2004 with 28,958 individual dogs being registered) it is truly under
represented in the breed ring.
Why?
Lets compare Shih Tzus with Whippets.  Whippets ranked 62nd in registration during the same
time period with 1849 dogs registered.  That means that in 2004 there were 27, 109 more Shih
Tzu registered than Whippets.  
Now, let's compare the number of Whippets shown in AKC sanctioned dog shows as compared
to Shih Tzus.  We will look at division 1 (you can look at the other divisions by going to the
American Kennel Club website) which includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.  AKC assigns breed points according to the
number of dos shown, points range from two to five, with three, four, and five being considered
majors.  A dog must have fifteen points in order to become an American Champion, with 2
majors making up part of those fifteen points.  Here is how Shih Tzu Numbers bread down as
compared to Whippets. (There is no trick here, I picked Whippets at random).

For 2 points

Male Shih Tzus being shown  2   Female Shih Tzus being shown  2
Male Whippets being shown 2   Female Whippets being shown 3

for 3 points

Male Shih Tzus being shown  5   Female Shih Tzus being shown  4
Male Whippets being shown  6   Female Whippets being shown  7

for 4 points

Male Shih Tzus being shown  7   Female Shih Tzus being shown 7
Male Whippets being shown 10   Female Whippets being shown  12

for 5 points

Male Shih Tzus being shown  11   Female Shih Tzus being shown 13
Male Whippets being shown  13  Female Whippets being shown 16

What is the problem here?  There are 27, 109 more Shih Tzus registered than Whippets.  Why
then are more Whippets being shown?  Is it just that Shih Tzu owners don't want to show their
dogs and Whippet people are dog show crazy?  I don't think so.  I, for one, would be delighted to
show my Shih Tzus in AKC completion (I do show my other breeds); However, I have come to
realize, as have many Shih Tzu people, that owner handlers, as a whole, can not compete with
either the professional handlers or the extensive coat conditioning and elaborate hairstyles that
make up the "show" Shih Tzu world.

We in the MSTCA want to change those statistics.  We would love to have Shih Tzus of all sizes
returned to a more natural, user friendly state, not just for the owner's sakes but also for the
welfare of the dogs as well.  Please see article on what is required to condition that lovely flowing
show coat.