I get numerous requests for "teacup" puppies and even had a very rude, obnoxious woman
email me this week telling me that when I used the word "tiny" or "teeny" in one of my
current ads that I'm trying to misrepresent the puppy to my potential customers.
NOTHING could be further from the truth. "Tiny" just means small, nothing else. I NEVER
breed to produce the extra, extra small puppies. If you will read below, you might change
your mind about purchasing one of these kinds of puppies.

While the idea of a tiny companion is seductive (especially if you have met 'pocket' size
canines belonging to others) it would be wise to do some serious research on your chosen
breed and it's ideal sizes and on the potential health risks for a dog deliberately bred to be
extremely smaller (or larger) than it was meant to be. They can be extremely hard to care
for and many die suddenly and at a young age despite the best of care.
THE "TEACUP" MYTH
                                                                                                                                    
                                         What is a "teacup" dog?

Well, actually it's more of a marketing term or gimmick. Some breeders or retailers use this term to indicate an individual of extremely tiny
size, most often 1-3 pounds as adults. There is NO official 'teacup' size...this is indeed a TOY breed, but they are not TEACUP breeds, and none
of the standards provide for such.

~So do "teacup" dogs even exist?

Of course they do. For one reason or another very small individuals do occur in any breed. Though even these individuals face many of the
problems of tiny dogs, the problems become worse when these tinies are then bred to each other. NO reputable breeder will deliberately breed
exceptionally tiny individuals.

~Size Guarantees and how to they get those tiny dogs?

There aren't any perfect guarantees. Period. Size is determined by a number of factors: Genetics (parents, grandparents, etc.) as well as being
affected by environment (nutrition, medical care, etc.). Genetic contribution by the parents is 50/50 and the parent's parents also contribute.
Wonder why your puppy has a curly tail and his parent's have straight tails? Look to the grandparents (or maybe even further back). Same goes
for size.

Those "teacup" puppies you see may genuinely grow up to be tiny...or they may have falsified papers indicating they are older than they really are
(and won't you have a surprise when your "puppy" suddenly grows, well, BIG?). The thing is, even the runt often catches up to his sibling and
grows into a normal size adult. So even a "tiny" puppy won't necessarily grow into a 'tiny' adult. Most often, those that deliberately market
"teacups" are also inbreeding or  breeding unknown lines, or worse buying from puppy mills with even LESS care about these puppies and haven't
done the research needed to know a pedigree. They simply put two small adults together and sell the offspring as "teacup"...again, what a
surprise for the new owner when their 'teacup' puppy is now a perfectly normal 5 pounds or so! NO person - breeder, pet store worker, etc. -
can guarantee a size. A knowledgeable breeder may be able to give you a sound and reasonably accurate estimate of size range based on
knowledge of pedigree, the parents, the breed, etc. But until a dog is mature (as late as 24 months) there is no way to give you a 100% guarantee
of size. Remember that when someone tells you they guarantee it will be a teacup - they also know if it grows too big you're probably too
attached to give it back in order to get your refund or replacement.

~Health risks a teacup faces...

Exceptionally tiny individuals face a number of health risks based on their size alone.

Fragility results in easily broken bones, especially legs, when they jump off a piece of furniture or a lap. There have been cases of bones simply
shattering on impact in the course of normal playing, tumbling around on the floor or yard, or being held too firmly. One adult was routinely
carried in the owner's pocket and caught a leg on the pocket, breaking it from relatively minor force.

Often a 'teacup' dog's mouth is simply not big enough to accommodate all it's adult teeth and problems arise with crowded teeth, deteriorating
adult teeth, etc.

Internal organs may not be fully or adequately developed.

One of the biggest problems with any tiny is that they expend so much energy simply trying to keep their own body temperature normal, that
they can't consume enough calories to fuel their own body and essentially starve to death despite proper feeding. They require careful care and
monitoring because they often simply can't maintain a healthy body temperature.

Tinies may have problems regulating their own blood sugar.

A simple case of diarrhea can kill a teacup since it dehydrates so quickly, and will most likely cost a minimum of a trip to the vet.

It is not uncommon for a teacup to die at a very young age, even with an owner who takes the best of care. (Of course those that make a living
selling these dogs aren't too bothered since this certainly opens up the market for them to sell you another one!).

~Small size equals big purchase price

Just in case the risks aren't enough, the final insult is the exceptionally high prices that are often tagged on these diminutive babies. Dubbed
"designer dogs", their price tags are typically FAR in excess of a price of a normal, healthy, well bred puppy from a reputable breeder. Some
sellers require hefty deposits that equal the entire costs of another puppy! It is not uncommon to see price tags in the $2000.00-$3000.00
range.

~But I really want the smallest individual I can get...

Be very sure you're willing to take on the necessary care required. Are you going to be able to protect it from accidents? Provide adequate
warmth, food, care? Have you educated yourself on the risks involved and are willing to take that chance that something could happen?

First consider smaller breeds (such as the Chihuahua) that are normally very small compared to most other breeds. Don't expect a breed that is
normally 5 pounds or more to be "teacup" size. Read the standards set forth by the parent club for your breed (they can be found on AKC and
CKC websites) and know what a normal size range is.

Then find a reputable breeder and talk to them. It may be that a smaller adult (but not a teacup) would suit you fine. Many people have
misconceptions about what 5 or 6 pounds looks like. If you must have a tiny, the only way to guarantee a size is to get an adult. And any breeder
who gives a hoot about his/her puppies will NOT be letting that tiny out the door at 6 weeks, or even maybe 8, 10 weeks or more. Give a lot of
thought to whether you REALLY can provide adequate care and veterinarian services before you purchase a 1-3 pound puppy. It's a commitment.