Have you ever wondered what a teacup puppy is? We’re giving you the full scoop.

What is a Teacup Dog?

Teacup dogs are the unofficial term for extremely small dogs – dogs that can fit in a teacup! Teacup dogs are also referred to as:

toy dog breeds

miniature breeds

micro dogs

How Small is a Teacup Dog?

Unofficially, a teacup dog is a dog that is at least a year old and measures at 17 inches or less. They generally weigh 4 pounds or less at maturity. However, there is no one mandatory size since teacup dogs are not a regulated or official breed.

Teacup Dog Types: What Breed is a Teacup Pup?

There are no specific breeds for teacup dogs, as they are not an officially recognized breed. However, popular teacup favorites include:

Shih Tzu

Chihuahua

Yorkshire Terrier

Pug

Poodle

Pomeranian

Maltese

Silky Terrier

Danger of Teacup Puppies

There are several reasons why you should seriously avoid purchasing a teacup dog.

Teacup puppies are becoming a popular fad, but what many do not know is that “teacup puppies” are very often simply underdeveloped puppies. They are bred in order to create the smallest dog possible….at any costs.

Teacup puppies can be the result of intentional and unintentional breeding. Some teacup puppies are runts of the litter (in which case owners who dish out big bucks for these miniature dogs are being duped, as there is no guarantee a runt will not grow to become a regular-sized dog of its breed).

Other times, teacup puppies are the result of breeding two very small dogs of a certain breed. Breeding teacup puppies is extremely dangerous for the puppies and the mother. Because the mother is so small, she can only give birth to a few puppies, and there are often birth complications.

Even worse, because teacup puppies are in such high demand and can be sold for such exorbitant prices, breeders have a high incentive to develop teacup puppies by any means. Some breeders resort to inbreeding and some even purposely undeveloped puppies, inflicting stunted growth through methods like starvation.

Teacup Puppies Health

Because of teacup puppies unnaturally miniature sizing, they often face a host of health issues. Their tiny tummies often are faced with tremendous digestive issues, resulting in the need to be fed small amounts, multiple times a day.

Teacup dogs’ tiny bladders mean accidents are virtually unavoidable – be prepared to purchase indoor potty matts that will be essential long past puppyhood.

Teacup dogs also often develop heart issues, respiratory problems, and seizures. They don’t live nearly as long as standard dogs. Since teacup dogs face so many health issues, taking preventive measures is essential, so you’ll be visiting the vet much more often (and paying much more) than you would with a regular dog.

It gets worse – because teacup dogs are so tiny, it’s not uncommon for them to be accidentally killed by owners. A small drop or fall can fatally injure these frail canines. Teacup dogs don’t know their tiny, so they will jump up on couches, and walk right underfoot with no warning. There are few experiences as traumatic as accidentally crushing a beloved pet.

In Short: Avoid Teacup Dogs

While teacup dogs are becoming more popular, they are often treated as accessories rather than living creatures. Teacup dogs often face short and painful lives, and their breeding should not be encouraged.

The teacup dog industry is ripe for scam artists, as there are no official guidelines or regulations. Distrustful breeders can simply claim a dog is a few weeks older than it really is, and charge an extremely high price point, with virtually no guarantee that the dog will grow to be a miniature.

Owners often end up with very sick, frail dogs and face tremendous heartbreak when these unnatural canines pass, often with difficult deaths.

If you absolutely have to have a teacup dog, be sure to go through a trusted, reliable breeder. NEVER buy at teacup puppy from a pet store. Always make sure to meet the puppies’ parents and demand a one year health guarantee from the breeder.

What are your thoughts on teacup pups? Share what you think in the comments.