The Truth You Should Know About Teacup Dogs


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Ever since Paris Hilton introduced everyone to Tinkerbell, her miniature Chihuahua, there has been a sudden surge in the demand for “teacup dogs”. What are teacup dogs, you ask? Well, teacup dogs are dogs, like Tinkerbell, that have been bred to be really small; small enough to actually fit into a purse. Of course, they look cute and most dog lovers would be tempted to get one of these. However, there is a dark truth behind the whole teacup dog trend.

The Harsh Reality

As mentioned earlier, teacup dogs are bred to be as small as possible. Most of these dogs weigh around 5 pounds and sometimes, much less. Some of the common breeds used for this purpose include Poodles, Pugs, Yorkies, Shih Tzus, Maltese, and Pomeranians. On the outset, it might not sound bad, but, there are actually a lot of problems associated with this practice. Teacup dogs are bred by pairing the weakest offspring from a particular litter. It so happens that, quite often, the runt of the litter is smaller in size because it has a medical condition or birth defect. Naturally, the problems are passed onto the next generation. As a result, teacup dogs are inherently weak.According to Dr. Judy Morgan, a holistic veterinarian, teacup dogs suffer from significant health risks. These problems are primarily caused due to the unnatural breeding. Breeders are simply exploiting the dogs by indulging in this practice. Unfortunately, since people are willing to pay thousands of dollars for these dogs, there is no way to end the practice. The only way to end it is by educating people about how teacup dogs are brought into existence.

Not Built to Last

They say good things come in small packages. However, that is completely untrue with teacup dogs. Teacup dogs suffer from a range of medical conditions. For instance, their bones are tiny because they are underdeveloped. Due to their size, they are often carried around, which means they do not receive any exercise. This only complicates the matter further.Apart from that, their organs work overtime and eventually, they die a premature death. For example, they have small hearts that aren’t capable of working for long. In fact, heart failure is one of the common causes of death among teacup dogs. Some of the other common issues include hydrocephalus (fluid collection in the brain), respiratory disorders, and liver shunts.So, if you’re looking to get yourself a teacup dog, we suggest you think hard and long about it. Not only are you looking at expensive veterinary bills, but, also the heartbreak that is bound to come sooner than expected. If you’re still adamant about getting one, make sure you, at least, find a reliable breeder.

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