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Shih Tzu teacup puppy

The Pros and Cons of Owning A Teacup Dog

Home » Blog » The Pros and Cons of Owning A Teacup Dog
August 26, 2020 by Sharon Seltzer
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Facts about teacup dogs
  • The benefits of having a teacup dog+−
    • Pet owners are drawn to micro-dogs because:
  • The six original teacup breeds+−
    • Here are the pups most sought-after:
  • Common health problems for Teacup puppies
  • Other health and lifestyle concerns
  • Check the breeder
Shih Tzu teacup puppy

Ginger is a sweet Shih Tzu who weighs 4lbs fully grown. Her small size makes her at least 5lbs under the normal weight of 9-16lbs for her breed. Ginger wasn’t the runt of her litter; she was bred to be a teacup dog. It’s a popular trend that mates toy dog breeds to be unusually petite and maintain a puppy appearance their whole life.

If you’re wondering why there’s a story about this on Dog Wheelchair LIFE, it’s because teacup dogs are prone to health problems that can land them in a wheelchair. These micro-dogs are predisposed to a variety of birth defects, illnesses and injuries.

Facts about teacup dogs

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The world’s smallest teacup dog was a long-haired Chihuahua named Boo Boo. She was given the title in 2009 by the Guinness Book of World Records who recorded her height as 3.79 inches tall.

The experts at PetMD say teacup or micro-dogs are defined by their weight and height. They must weigh at least one pound less than the American Kennel Club (AKC) standard weight for the breed and they must stand less than 17 inches tall.

The average teacup dog weighs between four – five pounds.

Breeders produce teacup dogs by mating the smallest dogs (runts) from the litters of Toy breeds. The goal is to create a dog as small as possible and that will fit into an actual teacup.

The benefits of having a teacup dog

Teacup chihuahua puppy

People fell in love with these adorable tiny pups around 2007 when celebrities began carrying them around everywhere in their purses. Their popularity has been growing ever since.

Pet owners are drawn to micro-dogs because:

  • They retain their cute puppy appearance
  • It costs less to feed them
  • Dogs don’t require extensive walks or exercise
  • They can accompany their owner all around town
  • Dogs don’t need a big apartment or house to thrive

The six original teacup breeds

Although the AKC and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in England do not officially recognize micro-dogs, these six breeds made the trend popular:

  • Pomeranian
  • Chihuahua
  • Poodle
  • Maltese
  • Shih Tzu
  • Yorkie

Today, the list of popular teacup breeds has expanded to include slightly larger dogs, called Mini breeds.

Here are the pups most sought-after:

  • Beagle
  • Dachshund
  • Boston terrier
  • Schnauzer
  • Pekingese
  • Labrador retriever

Common health problems for Teacup puppies

Maltese puppy
Maltese teacup puppy.

Teacup dogs pose as many disadvantages as they do benefits. Their tiny size makes them fragile. They’re at-risk for fractures, osteoporosis and dislocated joints. Each of these problems can put a micro-dog on crate rest for weeks at a time or leave them permanently paralyzed.

Other dogs, like Ginger, are prone to heart conditions.

When the little Shih Tzu was born it was determined that she had a hole in her heart that caused a heart murmur. Ginger had to stay with the breeder, even though her new family was ready for her, until she was strong enough to undergo treatment to fix the problem.

Ginger also has an extremely small bladder that made it hard for her to “potty train” and to stay dry throughout the night. Her family resorted to using pee pads to help her.

Click to read: 7 Of The Most Common Spine Diseases in Dogs

Other health and lifestyle concerns

Teacup dogs are prone with other health and lifestyle problems that pet owners need to consider.

  • They’re easy prey for wildlife predators like hawks and coyotes. They shouldn’t be left alone outdoors.
  • Dogs can be injured by playing too hard or rough-housing with children or other pets.
  • Due to their size, it’s easy for people to trip over them.
  • Many micro-dogs need 4-5 small meals a day. Their blood sugar level can drop dangerously low if they aren’t fed at regular intervals.
  • Their small size makes it hard for them to regulate their body temperature. This needs to be monitored so they don’t get too cold or too hot.
  • Teacup dogs are prone to seizures, hydrocephalus, respiratory problems, digestive problems, and blindness.
  • Many are born with heart murmurs and up to 40 percent have chronic heart valve disease.
  • Their small bladders can lead to recurring urinary tract infections and eventual incontinence.
  • Their livers are often too small to properly flush out toxins.
  • Many of the teacup breeds never lose their baby teeth so they must be extracted.
  • Due to poor breeding some pups develop mineral deficiencies in their bones.

Another point of concern is that veterinarians have a tougher time treating these pups. Medical equipment and supplies don’t always come in sizes small enough to meet their needs.

Check the breeder

If you think a teacup dog is right for you, there’s one more thing you can do to make sure your puppy is healthy – check the breeder. It’s important to visit the facility where your puppy will be born. Ask to meet your puppy’s parents to see if they look healthy and well cared for. And get references of pet owners who have adopted a dog from the facility.

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About Sharon Seltzer

I’m a blogger, professional writer and co-founder of the Heaven Can Wait Animal Society. I’m also a pet mom who’s raised 9 dogs, 6 cats and lots of other critters. When my dog Sophie became paralyzed in 2008, it was a lonely experience. It took months to find all of the resources to help her live a quality life. My mission is to share those services with other pet owners and to teach people how to care for a disabled dog.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rose

    June 3, 2021 at 1:43 am

    I have a teacup Yorkie and she’s very healthy. She weighs 3 1/2 pounds.

    Reply
    • Sharon Seltzer

      June 3, 2021 at 4:25 pm

      Rose, I’m happy to hear that your Yorkie is healthy and doing well.

      Reply
  2. Nina caprio

    November 20, 2021 at 7:42 pm

    Promoting such an irresponsible idea about a”TEACUP” anything is unprofessional and Stupid!!!
    Don’t encourage ANYONE that there is even. Such a heathy choice or reality as a TEACUP ANY KIND OF DOG!! Shame on you!!! They are only underdeveloped organs on dogs that
    Should NEVER have been bred in the first place!!!!!!!

    Reply

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DogWheelchairLife.com is a blog that teaches pet families how to care for their paralyzed dog. As the owner, I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and the Amazon Influencer Program. These are affiliate programs designed for sites to earn advertising fees (commissions) by linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate and Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, visit the Affiliate Disclosure page

We Are A Resource for Pet Owners

Dog Wheelchair LIFE teaches pet families how to care for their paralyzed dog. This is not a medical site and I am not a veterinarian. I am a blogger and pet mom who was the caretaker for Sophie, a paraplegic dog. I’m also a co-founder of the Heaven Can Wait Animal Society in Las Vegas, NV and an animal writer who has contributed to websites and magazines.

The information shared on this site is based on my personal experience and the research I do for each story. Please do not use the content from this blog in place of professional veterinary care.

Articles from this site may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from me, Sharon Seltzer.

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