Adopting a Teacup dog means you'll need to treat it like a baby toddler, and unfortunately, there are many disadvantages to caring for a Teacup dog breed.
I recommend you review the below information and consider whether a Teacup dog breed is right for you. Teacup puppies and even adults are very fragile. They are hard to see and easy to step on. These fur babies should not be left alone, and they should never be left unsupervised with kids. Teacup breeds are known to suffer from various illnesses and have higher rates of broken bones than any other breed.
Teacup dog breeds have tiny stomachs and tiny bladders. These tiny pups need to be fed small meals a day , and they need to be let out for potty breaks a couple of times every hour. Housebreaking may often be very difficult with Teacup dog breeds. If you get one of these dogs, house training using the best puppy pee pads may be the best way to go.
For all of these reasons, it's easy to see that Teacup dog breeds are not the right fit for every owner. It would help if you were not considered one of these dogs unless you can care for it virtually every minute of the day. Unless you work from home or for a dog-friendly company, these smallest dog breeds are likely too high maintenance for you.
Teacup dog breeds are prevalent right now because they're cute and adorable, which means breeders are trying to make a quick buck on this. They will breed small, sickly animals to try to get smaller animals. We must not support these types of breeders and be extra vigilant when adopting Teacup dog breeds from reputable breeders.
It's our responsibility to ensure we follow the necessary steps to find a reputable breeder and follow the process. Before you take the plunge to get one of the Teacup dog breeds, make sure you are informed. The following questions can help you:. There is no answer to which Teacup dog is the best. The best one for you will depend on the attention you can give the dog, your preferences, where you live, and your lifestyle. We go into more detail about all the Teacup dog breeds so that you can make a good decision.
Teacup dogs are not bad per se, BUT they tend to be too small to very healthy and are prone to a range of problems. This is particularly true when they are bred from smaller dogs that are runt or sick. Some common issues include easily broken bones, heart issues, collapsing trachea, liver shunts, hypoglycemia, and more.
The smallest of the Teacup dog breeds is the Teacup Chihuahua. As long as you care for your pup carefully and monitor him, a Teacup dog can live for as long as 15 years. However, this is only if your Teacup manages to avoid the serious health issues common in many tiny dogs. Teacups can be very expensive, costing a few thousand dollars. If you decide to get a Teacup, pay a little extra to buy it from a reputable breeder or choose to adopt from a shelter. If you've done the research and you still believe that one of the best teacup dog breeds is right for you, it's time to choose which one will best meet your needs.
Below in this article, I'll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of some of the most popular teacup dog breeds globally and why you should and shouldn't adopt them. While Googling, you can find many lists of Teacup dog breeds online. Bear in mind that there are only six dog breeds that can actually be classified as Teacup dogs. Teacup Chihuahuas are one of the most popular Teacup dogs today. Teacup Chihuahuas are adorable, but they are also one of the most nervous breeds out there.
They do pretty good with cats, but not with other dogs or kids. This is the puppy purse dog. They are extremely affectionate and hate to be alone. However, Teacup Maltese dogs may need the training to curb their excessive barking.
The teacup Maltese is also known to be gentle and attentive. They are sensitive dogs who need encouragement, not fussing.
They have lots of energy and love to play. It is a great breed for households with older children. No matter the size Teacup, Toy, Standard, Giant , the Poodle breed is well-known to be one of the smartest dog breeds that walk the earth today. They are very adaptable and do well with any house or household makeup.
These easy-to-train dogs are great for first-time dog owners. In fact, the only drawback of Teacup Poodles is that they need frequent grooming from someone who knows what they're doing. Also, they have all of the drawbacks associated with the fact of being a small dog breed , including being fragile and having many health problems common among small dogs. Another breed that may need anti-bark training, Teacup Pomeranian dogs, are alert and curious about the world around them.
Teacup Pomeranians have less energy and playfulness than the average dog, so that they will do best in a more laid-back household. As with all teacup dog breeds, it's best if these dogs are in a home with only adults and older children. They also make great purse dogs due to their calmness and are often considered one of the best breeds for women.
Right there with the Chihuahuas, Teacup Yorkie is another super popular dog breed. The Yorkie is a brave and confident dog with a lot of personalities.
They are very loving and adaptable, except when it comes to kids and other animals. They can live in almost any situation — the city, the country, in apartments, and with no yard. Health Risks for Teacup Dogs Doctors say common health issues for teacup dogs include hypoglycemia, heart defects, collapsing trachea, seizures, respiratory problems, digestive problems, and blindness.
You have to do your homework to find the healthiest animal possible, says Mahaney. Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Yes No. Share this article. What did you find helpful? What was not helpful? Say more Sign me up for the PetMD Newsletter. Submit Feedback. Still have questions? Continue to Chewy. Connect With a Vet Experienced vets answer all your pet questions via chat or video.
Collapsing trachea : This issue is a genetic condition that is characterized by the obstruction of the dog's airways. This may trigger cough, trouble breathing properly and a blue color in the gums.
This condition can be treated with antibiotics. Seizures : These seizures can appear in teacup dogs as a sign of hypoglycemia, although it way be a warning of other issues such as portosystemic shunts or hydrocephalus, two conditions which we'll talk about below.
Breathing issues : Dyspnea and tachipnea can occur in this type of dogs. The first may occur due to overworking the respiratory system, causing noisy breathing, nostril flaring among other symptoms.
On the other hand, tachipnea is described as fast breathing and causes shallower breathing than usual. Digestive problems : A teacup dog's internal organs will also be smaller than a normal-sized dogs, which is why it is common for their liver to have problems when flushing out toxins.
Liver shunts : The above is precisely what can cause liver shunts in these dogs. This is a congenital disease that the dog will have from birth and do not have a very good outcome according to veterinarians as it will cause malnutrition, weakness and the dog being underweight. Patella luxation : This condition is also known as "sliding kneecap" and is a luxation of the kneecap bone that can impair the dog's walking ability and can make a dog more prone to arthritis.
Hidrocephalus : This is a congenital brain deformity in which cerebrospinal fluid is found in the dog's skull. This will pressurize the brain, causing blindness, seizures and will cause the dog to develop a dome-like head.
Weak bones : A teacup dog's bones throughout their bodies and head are extremely fragile, which can cause diseases such as osteoporosis or mineral deficiency, meaning they are likely to fracture them. Psychological health issues Apart from the physical problems mentioned above, teacup dogs will also suffer a series of psychological problems throughout their life: Chronic stress.
As teacup dogs have fragile hearts, they do not manage stress well. This is only exacerbated by the fact that owners tend to carry them around everywhere, which further boosts their stress levels.
Stress in a puppy due to a life change such as moving homes, rough playing and being alone for a long period of time can also trigger physical issues such as hypoglycemia. When left alone for too long, this type of dog may also suffer from separation anxiety and, due to their small bladders will frequently cause incontinence.
Behavioral issues : According to a recent study at the University of Sydney [2] , the combination of the dog's size, head shape and weight can affect a dog's behavior. In the case of teacup dogs, they are more prone to psychological problems such as aggressiveness and Napoleon syndrome.
It's important to highlight that chronic stress causes a downfall in the dogs' defenses, which makes them prone to suffer from the diseases mentioned above. Learning difficulties : Excessive humanization, avoiding socialization with other bigger dogs creating fear, that generate aggressive behavior and their own physical characteristics small bladder and stomach makes teacup dogs prone to learning difficulties.
This can translate in a need for the owner to make a bigger effort to teach them adequate habits. Pay special attention to the following tips to care for a teacup dog: Teacup dog diet In order to avoid hypoglycemia, teacup dogs should eat three to four times a day or roughly every three to four hours.
Reduce stressful situations It's highly important to make sure your dog does not undergo stressful situations. Veterinary care Under any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should take your dog to the vet immediately.
0コメント