General Teacup Dog Information
Many people don’t realize that teacup dogs are not special breeds, are not unique, or that they are not recognized by breed clubs. Instead, they are miniaturized versions of registered breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Poodle, and Chihuahua among others. They have been popularized as pocket dogs or toy-like dogs that are carried around in purses and have been making red carpet appearances with celebrities.
What Are the Differences between a Teacup and a Regular Toy Sized Dog?
Teacup dogs maintain the same breed characteristics of their larger relatives in the toy group. The only real difference is their diminutive size. Breeders attempting to maintain the small size simply breed ultra-small dogs to other ultra-small dogs.
Teacup dogs are more fragile than the toy sized versions. They are at an increased risk of injury from people accidentally tripping or falling on them. They also have a higher incident of bone fractures and should never be allowed to jump on and off of furniture. Teacup dogs should never be recommended to a family with young children.
In addition to the extra care necessary for teacups, there are other considerations. Socialization is incredibly important for all dogs, but it is harder to safely and properly socialize a teacup puppy. Their immune systems cannot handle as much exposure as a toy breed, and their fragility requires extra precautions during any socialization with children or other dogs.
Where Do Most Teacups Come from?
Unfortunately, most teacup dogs come from less than reputable locations. Teacups are often the product of a normal toy sized breeding. Due to variances in genetics, smaller dogs will result in a litter. A reputable breeder interested in health and welfare of dogs will not attempt to ‘downsize’ their dogs by intentionally breeding very small dogs.
Teacup sized dogs are big business and bring in a high dollar for a seller, so the type of breeder that has entered the market is interested in the bottom dollar rather than the dog. These breeders are also unlikely to tell an unsuspecting buyer that they cannot guarantee a puppy’s eventual size, meaning a teacup puppy might turn out to be a larger adult.
The high risk of health problems that comes with teacup dogs makes sticking with the normal toy sized dog the better path to take. Whichever way you go, make sure to fully research any and all breeders you speak to. Know who you are dealing with.
Is It Right to Breed Teacup Dogs?
The responsible answer is no, we should not perpetuate very tiny dogs. There are a number of reasons:
· Many of these dogs are unhealthy, unthrifty, or suffer from serious health defects.
· They require additional care in order to maintain their health.
· They are at a high risk of dying when under anesthesia, making routine procedures like dental cleanings potentially life threatening.
· Most cannot be walked like a normal dog.
· They have teeth problems and usually require extra teeth to be pulled because of too many teeth in such a small mouth.
· They are extremely fragile and are susceptible to bone fractures.
· They do not make ideal family pets for children.
· The majority of breeders are not good, responsible breeders. Purchasing teacup puppies perpetuates the cycle.
· Teacups are not treated like dogs but instead toys that can be dressed, dolled up, fawned over, and carried around like an accessory. Many owners forget that these are dogs in little bodies that still have the same requirements for appropriate levels of exercise, training, and work.
Simply put, it’s not worth the added risk when you can have a healthy toy version of the same breed.
