As a result, these puppies are known as “teacups,” and they are frequently purchased for a high price. The average cost of a teacup puppy is between $750 and $2,000, with the possibility of a wide price range!
What is a Teacup Dog?
Micro, miniature, toy, and teacup. The “teacup” dog is not a dog breed, nor is the term registered or endorsed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) or by major dog breed registries. What exactly is a teacup dog, and what distinguishes it from other tiny puppies out there? This general term refers to dogs that are so tiny that they can fit inside a designer handbag.
This umbrella term also refers to pocket-sized or micro dogs, all three of which are unrecognized breeds.
The term “teacup dog” is simply used to describe a dog that is smaller than average in size compared to what its breed was originally known for. There are no specific measurements for what constitutes a “teacup” dog. But a teacup dog is typically defined as weighing 5 pounds or less.
Many popular small dog breeds, such as the teacup Poodle, teacup Pug, teacup Yorkie, Maltese, Pomeranian, and Shih Tzu, are frequently bred in teacup sizes.
A Personal Story About Teacup Puppy Buyers
As a dog breeder, I frequently receive calls that sound like this:
Caller: I am looking for a teacup puppy. Do you have any?.
Me: What do you exactly mean when you say “teacup puppy”?
Caller: Do you know a tiny dog that can fit inside a teacup? Do you have any?.
Me: Are you looking for a specific size of puppy?
Caller: “Look, if you don’t even know what a teacup puppy is, you must not be a real breeder,” (growing irritated at this point)
Me: (trying not to sound irate and trying to be patient)
Although there is no such thing as a “teacup puppy,” the term is frequently used to refer to young animals that have been dwarfed in order to be considered smaller than the breed average.
Some breeders purposefully overcharge for their puppies by doing this. It is well known that puppy mills deprive puppies of food to stunt their weight Tiny dogs are not always healthy.
Caller: I’d like either a teacup, a miniature, or a dwarf, if you have any.
Me: (to myself) I’ve heard of dwarf rabbits and miniature schnauzers, but teacup dogs! At this point, I decide it’s time to end the conversation, so I say my standard closing statement once more: “I breed for health, conformation, and temperament in my puppies.” But, I dont breed for teacupness.
If you’re wondering why I was becoming irritated with this customer, keep reading.
The Most Popular Teacup Dog Breeds
The following are the most well-known breeds of teacup dogs; however, there are several more. If you have your heart set on a teacup breed, you’re probably wondering what breeds of teacup dogs are available. Remember that the rarer the breed, the more you will pay because teacup breeds are so much more expensive:
As previously stated, there is no official standard for teacup size because the term “teacup” is not one that is registered or endorsed by the AKC or by major dog breed registries. The AKC does, however, acknowledge that the majority of dogs that are categorized as teacups weigh between 2 and 5 pounds and grow to a maximum adult size of 17 inches.
This “threshold” determines whether or not a dog is considered a teacup dog. It’s interesting to note that any dog weighing under 15 pounds is considered to be a toy breed, technically including larger breeds as well.
FAQ
How long do teacup dogs live for?
Depending on the breed, a teacup dog’s life expectancy ranges from nine to fifteen years on average. Teacup dogs have been produced by purposefully breeding the runts of the litter to produce a smaller and smaller dog.
Is a teacup dog a good pet?
Teacup dogs frequently experience hypoglycemia, heart defects, collapsing tracheas, seizures, respiratory problems, digestive problems, and blindness, according to veterinarians. According to Meeks, the breeding practices may also increase the risk of liver shunts.
How big do teacup puppies get?
Unofficially, according to the website K9 of Mine, teacup breeds are canines that are 17 inches or smaller and weigh no more than four pounds as adults. Because of this, according to Animal Planet, teacups frequently weigh one or more pounds less than what the AKC considers appropriate for their breed.
What is the cheapest dog to buy?
…
Our research shows that the top 10 cheapest dogs are as follows:
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
- American Foxhound.
- Chinese Crested Hairless Dog.
- Australian Terrie.
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
- Pug.
- Rat Terrier.
- Dachshund.