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.
~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 alot 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.
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.
~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 alot 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.
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