Teacup dogs are incredibly popular pets since they always look like puppies throughout their entire lives. It’s no surprise that they may sell for thousands of dollars each. Teacups are generally smaller than their breed standard, and the American Kennel Club does not accept them as individual breeds. However, they make fantastic pets and are always kind and caring, making them perfect pets for families. But what are some of the best teacup dog breeds for families?There are many different teacup dog breeds that you should consider before adopting or purchasing one. With that said, we have gathered a list of the best teacup canine breeds for families.
- Teacup Maltese
- Teacup Pomeranian
- Teacup Shih Tzu
- Teacup Poodle
- Teacup Yorkie
- Teacup Chihuahua
- Teacup Beagle
As you continue to read this article, we will discuss important information about teacup dogs. Furthermore, we will give you a short description of each of our favorite teacup breeds for families that we have on our list.
What Is A Teacup Dog?
© Bowpup Jungpuppyclub
Teacups dogs are canines that are bred to be as small as possible. Dogs are considered teacups when they are bred to be even smaller than their miniature versions. You can also get teacup dogs when you breed dogs that are already small, like a beagle, to be even smaller. Usually, teacup dog breeds will tend to be around 5 to 10 pounds and have a height less than 12 inches. However, small dogs being bred to be teacups will be a little bigger than after teacups, like the beagle in our previous example.According to Dr. Cathy Meeks, a board-certified internal medicine specialist and group medical director at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Tampa, Florida, breeders couple the “runts” of the litters to generate the tiniest animal possible. However, due to a birth defect or other medical problem, some of the dogs chosen for breeding are tiny.
What Are The Advantages Of Owning A Teacup Dog Breed?
Having a pocket-sized dog provides some advantages. You can carry them everywhere you want, and they attract a lot of attention from your friends and family. In addition, because of their diminutive height, they do not require vast amounts of food or prophylactic drugs. This might help you save money on a yearly basis.Furthermore, these very small dogs are amazing for pet wonders living in apartments with a pet size limitation. Teacup dogs are also great for those who can only provide short walks or limited amounts of exercise from playing and other activities.
What Health Issues Do Teacup Dogs Have?
Teacup dog breeds are susceptible to a plethora of diseases and other health risks. Some of these potential issues are nearly impossible to avoid regardless of the level of care and treatment you give these dogs. Some of the most common health risks teacup dogs can face are:
- Hypoglycemia
- Heart defects
- Collapsing trachea
- Seizures
- Respiratory problems
- Digestive problems
- Blindness
- Liver Shunts
- Teeth and Gum issues
- Luxation ( a.k.a. Sliding Kneecap)
- Low blood sugar issues and dangers
- Tiny dogs mean tiny and fragile bones
In teacup dogs, hepatic shunts are common congenital birth abnormalities that impair the liver’s capacity to eliminate toxins. The cost of treatment for hepatic shunts can range from $6,000 to $10,000. Some types of shunts, regardless of cost, do not respond well to treatment.According to Mahaney, many little canines are vulnerable to tooth and gum problems. Because a teacup dog’s baby teeth don’t always come out on their own, veterinarians will usually remove your teacup dog’s baby teeth when you get them spayed and neutered. Furthermore, it’s fairly unusual for veterinarians not to remove all of the baby teeth, which will lead to a wet food-only diet for quite some time until your teacup dog’s permanent teeth come in.Patella luxation, or a sliding kneecap, is another size-related health issue that can impair a teacup dog’s walking ability. The animal is also more likely to acquire arthritis as a result of the disease.Teacup dogs can have serious low blood sugar issues. If they miss out on a single meal, it can spell disaster for your tiny pup. In addition, because teacup breeds have a large brain mass to body ratio, they can suffer from hypoglycemia. Therefore, having low blood sugar can cause your teacup dog to suffer from seizures, extremely low body temperatures, and other detrimental side effects. Because of a teacup dog’s petite stature, they have small and fragile bones to match. This makes teacup breeds susceptible to have broken bones and fractures much easier than other dogs. Because of this, owners need to be extremely careful not to step on their dog’s tiny feet or let them jump from high places. Furthermore, their fragileness makes them poor pets for families with young children. Low blood sugar and body temperature in teacup dogs might cause complications in the surgery room. Veterinarians must ensure that the procedure does not exceed the animal’s blood sugar reserves and provide the required supplements. They must also work hard to keep the animal warm as its body temperature decreases while it is sedated.
Best Teacup Dog Breeds For Families
Even though teacup dogs have vastly more cons associated with them than pros, they still make great pets for families. Furthermore, for pet lovers who live in areas where there are strict pet codes, there is a very good chance that you can own a teacup dog without any issues.Now, let’s get into our list of the best teacup dog breeds for families.
- Teacup Maltese
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Teacup Maltese is one of the more popular teacup breeds in the world. Teacup Maltese are known to be very gentle and attentive dogs. They also have tons of energy and love to play, which makes them a great teacup breed for families with older kids. Their attentiveness allows them to be easily trained as well. Teacup Maltese can make for an excellent watchdog. Just like their regular-sized counterparts, teacup Maltese are not very accepting of strangers. Hearing a strange sound outside or seeing a stranger walking up to or by your home will cause them to bark excessively. However, this can be seen as a downside. Even though they are trying to protect themselves, you, and your home, their excessive barking can be annoying and often false alarms.
- Teacup Pomeranian
© Bowpup JungpuppyclubTeacup Pomeranian dogs are attentive and observant to their surroundings. Despite being one of the most popular teacup dog breeds, they will not hesitate to tell you if something is wrong. Like the Maltese above, they make for excellent watchdogs. Teacup Pomeranians are less energetic and lively than the usual dog, so they will thrive in a more laid-back environment. It’s preferable if these teacup dog breeds live in a home with just adults and older children, as it is with all teacup dog breeds. Because of their tranquility makes excellent handbag dogs and is frequently regarded as one of the greatest breeds for women.
- Teacup Shih Tzu
© Bowpup JungpuppyclubIf you desire a little dog who can wear bows in its hair, this is the breed for you. The Teacup Shih Tzu has a long, lovely coat that can be styled in a variety of ways. They’re one of the prettiest canines on the planet, which is why they’re so popular.These dogs are typically low-energy and don’t like to bark. As a result, they’re ideal for use in flats. Unlike the majority of Teacup dog breeds on our list, these little pups get along well with children and other pets. Just make sure your children and other pets know to treat this animal with care.
- Teacup Poodle
© Bowpup JungpuppyclubWhether you have a teacup, toy, standard, or giant poodle, they are considered one of the world’s most intelligent dog breeds. Poodles are incredibly adaptable and can live comfortably in any home. These simple-to-train pups are ideal for new dog owners. In truth, Teacup Poodles’ sole disadvantage is that they require frequent grooming by someone who understands what they’re doing. They also have all of the disadvantages that come with being a little dog breed, such as being delicate and having many of the health issues that small dogs have.
- Teacup Yorkie
© Cynthia FungOther than the Teacup Chihuahuas, Teacup Yorkies are the second most popular teacup breed in the world. The Yorkie is a courageous and self-assured dog with a wide range of characteristics. Except when it comes to young children and other animals, they are incredibly kind and adaptive. Teacup Yorkies are typically not fond of them.They can live in practically any environment, including the city, the countryside, apartments, and homes without a yard. Yorkshire Terriers are an energetic breed that needs a lot of exercise and play. They will also require training in order to decrease barking. As a result, a dog owner who is prepared to devote their time and energy to a Teacup Yorkie pet is typically the best choice.
- Teacup Chihuahua
© Bowpup JungpuppyclubThe most popular Teacup dogs nowadays are Teacup Chihuahuas. Teacup Chihuahuas are cute, but they’re also one of the most anxious breeds. They’re great with cats, but not so much with other dogs or little children.The “go-to” puppy purse dog is the teacup Chihuahua. They are very loving and despise being alone. These clever canines are relatively easy to train and make excellent apartment dogs. Still, they demand a tremendous deal of care and attention, making them an excellent “go-to” tiny dog.
- Teacup Beagle
© Thomas OstergardThe Teacup Beagle is by far the largest teacup breed on our list. However, while they are the largest on our list, they are still considerably smaller than their regular counterparts. With that said, Teacup Beagles share all of the energy and eagerness to play as regular beagles, making them great pets for active families. However, Teacup Beagles also share the stubbornness of their regular-sized counterparts. This can make training a challenge. But if you make training fun and bring treats, their cleverness and intelligent brains begin to show. With the right training methods, both of the beagle breeds can learn extremely quickly.
Final Thoughts
Teacup dog breeds are rising in popularity amongst pet lovers. They make perfect pets for people who live in apartments that have strict pet rules. Teacup dogs also make great pets for those who can only provide limited walks and other forms of exercise. However, teacup dogs are susceptible to a myriad of diseases and other health issues. Furthermore, teacup dog owners need to be extremely careful of their fragile bones, making teacup dogs a poor pet for families with young children.
