The Pros & Cons of Teacup Chihuahuas

As if full-size Chihuahuas weren't already small enough (think Taco Bell dog)... there's suddenly a rise in the popularity of Teacup Chihuahuas!

"Regular" Chihuahuas are already recognized as the world's smallest dog (weighing in at just 2 to 4 pounds, on average).

The Big & Small Of It...

Tea Cup Chihuahuas are often perceived to be the smallest of dogs of all, but it's important to make this distinction:

Along with 'mini,' 'pocket' and 'tiny toy,' 'teacup' is sometimes used to describe Chihuahuas and other dogs that are very small. These and similar terms are not officially used by any kennel club or reputable breeder, and are not breeds or specific types of Chihuahua. In particular, all Chihuahuas are toy dogs; there is no such thing as a 'toy Chihuahua.' -- wikipedia

Are Teacup Chihuahuas the smallest of all dogs?...
Probably.

Are Teacup Chihuahuas cute?...
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

One thing's for sure:
Teacup Chihuahuas (like most "teacup" breeds) definitely have their fair share of fans and opponents!

Fans & Owners of Teacup Chihuahuas

Surprisingly, I had a very hard time finding pro-Teacup Chihuahua sites (or books). The few that I did find were tied to breeders -- whose intentions and breeding history appeared questionable.

So, in support of the Teacup Chihuahua owners out there, we offer a handful of Teacup Chihuahua memorabilia:

A Long, Hard Look At The Teacup Chihuahua

Not everyone is crazy about the tiny Teacup Chihuahua. Here are some examples:

Just so that everyone knows, there is no such thing as a teacup chihuahua. "teacup" chihuahuas are just bred from the runts of the litters of an already tiny dog. chihuahuas are unhealthy enough already because of inbreeding and poor breeding practises designed to make them look the way they do. Buying a teacup chihuahua is encouraging an industry that is cruel to animals. If you want a dog that small, get a hamster. -- banana (...as posted here)

Very small dogs, however, are often runts. They are often unhealthy, or undernourished, or, if otherwise healthy, may suffer shortened life spans and health problems later in life due to extreme dwarfing. They are not normally suitable for breeding, and require special care.
-- wikipedia

Read the Chihuahua Club of America's interesting statement about Teacup Chihuahuas entitled "The Chihuahua Is A Chihuahua".

To which I would add this...

Generally speaking, there's nothing wrong with falling in love with the runt of the litter. In fact, we have always chosen the overshadowed or otherwise neglected "runt" of the litter when we hand-picked our last 3 dogs. It was a conscious effort on our part to do so.

I guess the difference lies in the degree to which problems might be inherent in a particular runt or "group of runts" for any given breed. (We've always chosen large breed dogs.)

Pro's & Con's of Chihuahuas

Here's an interesting look at the Chihuhua in general. This might be a useful guide to help you decide whether a Chihuahua (or a Teacup Chihuahua) is right for you...

Chihuahuas... what's good about them & what's bad about them.

Keep in mind, with Teacup Chihuahua's, the Pro's and Con's would likely be even more prominent, due to the Teacup's smaller size, and everything that goes along with that.

Here's a veterinarian's take on the teacup breeds.

Dog Size Chart

Check out this canine size chart from ProuxChihuahuas which specifically addresses the role that a Chihuahua's genetics play in determining its size:

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