This is my Teacup Chihuahua...
"Teacup Chihuahua"
This is the only type of "teacup" chihuahua, yorkie, or anything you should even consider bringing into your home - One that actually holds a cup of tea. Unless you want lots of vets bills, heart ache and a very sick dog!
This term is never used by reputable breeders. It is mostly used by puppy farmers to ensure that their puppies sound special and they can ask a higher price for them... Unfortunately that is not the case. These so called Teacup dogs almost always have major health problems. The most common health issues are -
Some of these tiny puppies are sold at 5 to 6 weeks old to make them seem like very small puppies when in reality they may be normal or even larger than the breed standard! These puppies will have the added issue of not having been socialized and taught by their mother things that are essential for a well rounded dog.
Remember that a 6lb dog is still a very small dog but not so delicate that they cannot be treated like a real dog and have a long, happy and healthy life. Even a 12lb dog is a very small dog. With certain breeders aiming smaller and smaller and giving them labels like Teacup or Miniature or even Toy, all they are doing is ensure that the puppies they produce are unhealthy, poor examples of the breed with sky-high vet care needed to try and keep your beloved pet alive. Please ensure you do your research and buy from breeder who cares for their stock - not a puppy farmer or back yard breeder who has little to no care for the puppies health and welfare. A good breeder will require you to give them a good reason why you should have one of their precious puppies... A bad breeder will try and convince you to buy a puppy without caring what home it will end up in. If you can't see the puppy with its mother, no matter what the breeder claims the reason is, then walk away. Many puppies are shipped over from puppy farms and sold on with a sob story about the mother, and they could potentially be extremely ill and the money is put back into the puppy farms meaning more dogs suffer.
If you see or hear the word teacup or any of the other false terms used to describe their puppies then you can be certain they are in it for the money, not to better the breed! There are 2 types of chihuahuas - Long and Smooth coats. A teacup is for tea, a chihuahua is a pet. Don't try confusing the two!
This term is never used by reputable breeders. It is mostly used by puppy farmers to ensure that their puppies sound special and they can ask a higher price for them... Unfortunately that is not the case. These so called Teacup dogs almost always have major health problems. The most common health issues are -
- Hypoglycemia - This is the sudden drop in blood sugar and can be fatal if not treated right away.
- Hydrocephalus - Fluid on the brain.
- Underdeveloped organs - Some dogs sold as "teacups" are actually prematurely born hence the smaller than average size. These are the equivalent to a premature baby and require extra special care just to survive.
- Large Morella (soft spot) - While this is not an issue and most chihuahuas have this as puppies, the smaller puppys tend to have larger morellas meaning a knock to the head could easily be fatal.
Some of these tiny puppies are sold at 5 to 6 weeks old to make them seem like very small puppies when in reality they may be normal or even larger than the breed standard! These puppies will have the added issue of not having been socialized and taught by their mother things that are essential for a well rounded dog.
Remember that a 6lb dog is still a very small dog but not so delicate that they cannot be treated like a real dog and have a long, happy and healthy life. Even a 12lb dog is a very small dog. With certain breeders aiming smaller and smaller and giving them labels like Teacup or Miniature or even Toy, all they are doing is ensure that the puppies they produce are unhealthy, poor examples of the breed with sky-high vet care needed to try and keep your beloved pet alive. Please ensure you do your research and buy from breeder who cares for their stock - not a puppy farmer or back yard breeder who has little to no care for the puppies health and welfare. A good breeder will require you to give them a good reason why you should have one of their precious puppies... A bad breeder will try and convince you to buy a puppy without caring what home it will end up in. If you can't see the puppy with its mother, no matter what the breeder claims the reason is, then walk away. Many puppies are shipped over from puppy farms and sold on with a sob story about the mother, and they could potentially be extremely ill and the money is put back into the puppy farms meaning more dogs suffer.
If you see or hear the word teacup or any of the other false terms used to describe their puppies then you can be certain they are in it for the money, not to better the breed! There are 2 types of chihuahuas - Long and Smooth coats. A teacup is for tea, a chihuahua is a pet. Don't try confusing the two!
Merle colouring in Chihuahuas
The merle colouring is not accepted by the Kennel Club or British Chihuahua Club due to the health problems associated by this colouring. The merle gene has been proven to be linked to deafness and blindness in some dogs. It is believed that the merle gene was introduced to the chihuahua from another (larger) breed, meaning that a merle chihuahua is a mixed breed, and not a pedigree chihuahua as you may be led to believe. Although the colouring is beautiful, due to the health risks and due to the colour not naturally occurring in the breed, I will not breed merle chihuahuas. One parent must be a merle to produce merle puppies, and all of my dogs are confirmed to be from merle-free lines to prevent any risk of any of these issues being passed on to their puppies.
Kennel Club announcement on Merle colouring in Chihuahuas
Kennel Club announcement on Merle colouring in Chihuahuas