Do you really want a Teacup Puppy? Here is why you shouldn't.
Teacup dogs are the result of questionable breeding practices!
The issues with these dogs begin before they are even born. Teacup dogs can naturally occur as “runts of the litter,” but more often they’re the product of intentionally breeding two undersized dogs. Because the mother dog is so small, she can only whelp a couple of puppies at most and there’s a greatly increased chance of complications. In other words, breeding teacups is extra risky for both the mother and the puppies.
That’s not the worst of it though. Because the dogs are in high demand and can sell for thousands of dollars, there’s a huge incentive for unethical breeders to produce these dogs any way they can. This could include breeding dogs that are closely related, or even deliberately stunting a puppy’s growth through starvation or other revolting methods.
Fraud is another issue. There is no officially recognized teacup breed, and typically no guarantee that the tiny puppy you get from the breeder won’t grow up to be a standard-sized dog. It’s all too easy for someone to pass a puppy off as a bonafide teacup when it’s really just a few weeks younger than advertised.
Of course, with any dog breed, there are going to be irresponsible breeders. However, because many reputable dog breeders refuse to sell teacups, this market in particular is wide open for sleazebags.
Puppies are cute. There is no denying it and small ones are even cuter. There is something about their delicate little bodies, fitting into the palm of your hand, and so reliant on us that pulls on your heartstrings. Perhaps this is part of the reason that so-called teacup dogs appeal to so many. These days they are big business and you can easily drop several thousand dollars just buying one, never mind in vet bills in the ensuing years.
Small dogs are certainly easier for people living in apartments and unable to give a larger dog the exercise it needs. There are many breeds that are naturally small including the Yorkshire terrier, Maltese and Morkie. Is there really a need for a dog smaller than that? Responsible breeders and national breed clubs will tell you that there is no such thing as a “teacup” dog. Animals sold as teacup dogs are really just undersized examples of their breed. Sometimes the occasional individual occurs naturally in a litter that will never reach a normal size but many times unscrupulous breeders and puppy mills are purposefully breeding undersized dogs regardless of the health consequences.
Common health issues in so called teacup puppies include things like liver shunts, hypoglycemia, heart problems, open soft spots on the skull, collapsing trachea, seizures, respiratory problems, digestive problems, blindness, and the list goes on. Many of these issues are life threatening and very expensive to treat. Teacup puppies, because they are so small and frail, are also prone to breaking bones even while preforming normal activities (such as jumping, playing, or running) that would present little to no danger to a normal puppy. Not all teacup puppies are produced by breeding very small adult dogs. Some puppies sold as teacup puppies are merely premature puppies. Unethical breeders will sometimes lie about a puppies age in order to make it appear that the puppy will be small as an adult.
While teacups are considered a fashion statement and can be found in the handbags of celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, Scarlett Johansson, and Blake Lively, it is important to remember that dogs are living creatures not accessories like a piece of jewelry or a fashionable scarf. They need to be cared for and provided with all the same things as a normal sized dog. In many ways, teacups need even more care as they are much more fragile than bigger animals.
While it is hard to resist those adorable little faces, there is really no need for a dog smaller than two pounds, which is the low end for a normal Chihuahua. Don't be taken in by people out to make a buck by producing extra-small individuals. It's as much a marketing ploy as anything else.
If you’ve ever lived with a small dog, you know that they’re often just big enough to get on and off the couch (in fact, older dogs often need help). Now imagine the couch is two or three times its size.
Welcome to the world of the teacup dog.
Teacup dogs are easily injured, especially when jumping or dropped from heights. This makes them a singularly horrible choice for families with young children, who will naturally want to carry around the adorable little critter (a tragedy waiting to happen). Other dogs – particularly big dogs – can also inadvertently harm a teacup dog.
Like all small dogs, teacups also have a tendency to get underfoot. The difference is, you’re less likely to see them, and more likely to cause an injury when you kick or step on them.
If you’re still determined to get a teacup dog, tread very carefully when choosing a breeder. Don’t do it over the internet. Make sure you visit their place of business and meet the puppy’s parents. Perhaps the best thing you can do is to take the puppy to a vet to get it checked out before finalizing your purchase.
Scratch that. The best thing you can do is reconsider getting that teacup dog at all. Because, like most fads, the teacup craze is pretty ridiculous when you stop and think about it.
