About Tea Cup Dogs
Tea cup dogs are the small dogs that are sometimes carried in celebrities' purses. They are smaller than members of the toy breed group, which includes poodles, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire terriers and pugs. They are adorable lapdogs, but that cuteness comes with a price, including increased health care costs.
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Toy Breeds
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize tea cup dogs as a separate category of canines. Dogs referred to as tea cup dogs are members of the toy breed group. The standard size for toy breeds is under 10 lbs. Tea cups generally weigh 2 to 4 lbs.
Size
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Since the tea cup breeds are so small, they come with some inherent problems, even under the best of circumstances. Their legs are small and prone to breakage, even from something as common as jumping out of their owners' arms. Their size also makes it more difficult for them to regulate their temperature. They are not outdoor dogs and since they can get hurt so easily, they may not be good with small children who are inexperienced with pets.
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Breeding
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Since tea cup dogs are popular, some breeders are maximizing on the trend by genetically breeding smaller dogs through such processes as breeding the bitch more than once during the heat cycle. No matter when the pups are conceived, they are all born at the same time. This means the puppies conceived later in the heat cycle are premature and smaller than the puppies carried full term. This leads to smaller dogs and inherent health risks.
Health Concerns
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Tea cup dogs are known to suffer from many health issues such as hypoglycemia, cardiac problems, collapsing trachea, luxating patellas, seizures, hydroencephaly and blindness. Not only can these types of problems cause a lifetime of health issues and lead to expensive veterinary bills, they can lead to the premature and painful death of the pet. In addition to the health problems that come with breeding tiny dogs, consider the health concerns that are inherent to each breed. For example, the Maltese breed is prone to retinal atrophy, which can lead to diminished vision.
Breeder References
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Before you choose to purchase a tea cup puppy from a breeder, ensure the breeder is a member of a reputable breeding association. Get references and ask questions about the health of the litter and the parents. Make sure and read the contract carefully to ensure the breeder stands behind the health of the puppy.
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References
- Photo Credit dog image by CraterValley Photo from Fotolia.com
