A teacup chihuahua is small enough to fit in a teacup.
In the United States, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes 21 toy dog breeds, or breeds of diminutive stature. The term “teacup dog” is not a breed, but rather slang for a smaller sized dog from one of these groups, most commonly the Chihuahua. These dogs are small enough to fit in a teacup, hence the name. The term is often used loosely to increase the price of a puppy, as some people find the extremely small size desirable. In reality, these dogs often have special medical needs, health issues, and tend to have shorter lifespans than their full-sized brothers and sisters.
A Shih Tzu teacup is made to be extra small.
A medical problem commonly found among mug dogs is hydrocephalus, or “water on the brain,” in which fluid builds up and causes pressure on the skull. Often a dog suffering from this condition will have bulging eyes and a stressed appearance. He may also be “shaky,” have trouble walking or keeping his head steady, although these symptoms are not always present. There is no cure for this condition, but when it occurs in humans, a shunt is placed in the brain to drain the fluid to another part of the body, where it can be removed through natural processes.
Although any dog can be a victim of hydrocephalus, it is more common in very small dogs. They may also have thin and weak bones, blood sugar disorders, and other medical problems stemming from unfavorable genetic factors.
“Teacup Dog” usually refers to a Chihuahua.
One reason for the problems associated with these little dogs is that many are the result of two dwarfs mating to produce very small offspring. Dwarves, while deserving of a good life, often have medical problems that, when raised with another dwarf (or even a healthy dog), weaken their young and breed rather than strengthen them. A cup of dog tea can sell for more than $1,000 US dollars (USD), providing a strong financial incentive for “backyard breeders” and puppy mills to breed genetically unsuitable dogs. By placing a demand on this market, consumers unknowingly encourage this practice of producing compromised dogs, many of whom live their lives with numerous health problems that ultimately lead to exorbitant veterinary bills and shortened lifespans.
This does not mean that a healthy dog cannot be raised. There are some breeders who have invested a great deal of time, effort and money in carefully breeding very healthy dogs from a champion lineage, successively choosing smaller litters to reduce the size of the dog without resorting to breeding or introducing medical problems to the offspring. . However, most teacups found on the market would not qualify for AKC paper, and reputable breeders are often concerned with raising standards when breeding pedigrees and paper champions.
When you want a very small dog, perhaps the best thing you can do for the breed is to contact a reputable local breeder and request a very small puppy from one of their litters. People can request and verify the pedigree or defensive lines, although if the buyer wants real documents, it will cost extra and is not necessary unless he intends to show the dog. Even acquiring the “runt” from this litter should have far fewer genetic risks, and as long as it is healthy at birth, it should do better in the long run with a good chance of living a long and healthy life.
Many people mistakenly believe that small dogs like Chihuahuas are safe for children because they do not pose a threat. Chihuahuas, in particular, are a poor choice for children because they tend to be tough and protective. Small children can also unintentionally harm a puppy, as he is even more vulnerable and can easily be injured or even killed if she drops or mishandles him, by falling or stepping on him. Instead, the teacup dog is ideally placed in an adult home with someone who will adore him, such as an elderly person or someone who works from home.