Teacup dog breeds or Toy dogs are the smallest of the breeds. Even though this term is not official, it is widely used by fans of these small dogs.
According to a classification made by the k9 website:
“a teacup dog (Toy dogs) is a dog at least one year old and less than 43 cm inches, and generally weighs less than 2 kg. However, there is no mandatory size because teacup dog breeds are not a regulated or official breed “
Many breeders mate the “Avortons”, or the smallest dog in a litter, with the aim of creating even smaller dogs. The resulting small dogs are known as “tea cup dogs” and can sell for thousands of dollars.
Animal Planet explains that because of this, tea cups often represent 1/2 kg or more under the AKC approved weight for their breed. These breeding practices can also cause tea cup dogs to develop more health problems than standard dogs or dogs of the same breed. For this reason, it is important to have a dog check a teacup by a veterinarian before bringing it home.
If you’re hooked on a little dog, here are some of the cutest teacup dog breeds.
Brussels Griffon
The most characteristic feature of a Brussels Griffon – Griffon Bruxellois – is its face similar to the pub. The nose is quite short and facing up. Also, his big and prominent eyes and his outstanding lower jaw remind the pug. This dog comes in red, black or black and fire. Adults measure about 18 to 20 cm and weigh 2 to 5 kg.
Maltese
The Maltese is a very striking miniature dog, of aristocratic appearance, dark eyes and pure, long and silky white fur. An adult Maltese reaches a maximum height of 25 cm and weighs approximately 1.8 – 2.7 kg.
Note! Teacup dogs breeds began to be bred from small breeds quite recently. It was invented in Japan to select and breed a smaller dogs.
Pomeranian
These delicate puppies stand out for their character and their sympathy. They look like miniature foxes, with an upper mantle of long and stiff fur and a very dense lower mantle, which gives them the appearance of a stuffed ball. Pomeranian can display various colors . Adults measure between 18 and 30 cm, depending on their type and their complexion. The ideal weight for adult males is 1.8-2 kilos and, for females, 2-2.5kg.
Toy Poodle
This is a noble-looking dog with a thin snout and a slender neck. Its fur is profuse, curly and usually molded. In addition, it comes in a wide variety of colors, including blues, greys, silver, browns, apricots and creams. The adult Toy Poodle must be below 28 cm tall and the 4.5 kilos.
Note! When acquiring one of the teacup dog breeds, it is worth remembering that pets still need constant attention to their health. The heart is especially affected, they often have hypoglycemia, and therefore they have to be fed much more often than an ordinary dog.
Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier is a breed of toy type well known for its locks of loose hair with a texture very similar to that of human hair. The color of its coat is also quite unusual, of a steel blue color mixed with gold (or brown). He seems to give much importance to himself, with his head high. Males measure between 18 and 20 cm and do not usually weigh more than 3.2 kilos.
Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is small in size and has long, smooth or slightly wavy fur, in colors ranging from beige to black. The ears are hung with bangs, around the neck they have a lot of head and the legs are often very fringed. A compact and delicate adult usually measures between 15 and 23 cm and weighs 1.8 to 2.7 kg.
Note! The disadvantages of the teacup dog breeds include the fact that they are difficult to toilet training, the tiny excretory system will be emptied many times a day, even at night.
Papillon
It is a sophisticated and delicate-looking dog, with ears that resemble the shape of a butterfly or a moth. The Papillon fur is long and silky and is usually white with colored spots. When the fur is tricolor, white and black predominate, with some tan spots. The adults measure between 20 and 28 cm and weigh 3-5 kilos.
Affenpinscher
Despite its terrier appearance, with a naughty expression similar to that of a monkey, the Affenpinscher is a companion dog 24 to 28 cm at the height of the cross (from the foot to the top of the shoulder blade) in age adult and 3 or 4 kg of weight. Rough fur is usually black, with or without a slight grey hue.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu are husky and long-haired puppies of various colors. They move arrogantly, with their tails curved backwards. An adult Shih Tzu will not be more than 27 cm tall and its ideal weight will be between 4.5 and 7.5 kilos.