Teacup Dogs

Due to the doggie celebrity, parents and social media have brought immense popularity to tiny dog breeds. Teacup dogs are now becoming more popular and are often seen with their celebrity parents all over social media. These teacup dogs are significantly small. They are popular by the name micro-dogs.

Teacup puppies are incredibly appealing and cute, but are they small? There are various misconceptions about the teacup dogs breeds. With weight in the range of 2-5 pounds, these tiny pups are prone to various health conditions such as immune and skeletal system problems. If you’re thinking of getting a teacup puppy, it is highly essential to do your research.

Some breeders frequently breed tiny and unhealthy puppies; so to know more about the teacup dog breeds that will help you to make a big difference between getting a healthy teacup or sick pet into the home. For this reason, we have made an explicit article for you to get more information about the teacup puppies.

What Are Teacup Dogs?

As the name suggests, the term “teacup” depicts a smaller-than-average dog size; this term is flashy and attractive when people read it in ads and social media feeds, including cute and adorable puppies that comfortably fit into a coffee cup.

Teacup puppies are a small version of a popular small dog breed. These dogs are also known by other terms, such as pocket-sized and micro-dogs. Other than being small, teacups are relatively less heavy than the standard dog breeds.

For example, the American Kennel Club set the general weight for a Maltese at 7-pounds or less. A teacup version will weigh less and will be smaller than what is acceptable.

Teacups dogs are accessible in various breeds and bloodlines. Any dog breed can have a teacup version in its litter. Their size and weight are the definitions of teacup dogs. The average weight for these dogs is no more than 5 pounds, and they stand less than 17 inches in their adulthood.

Their measurement and size are not standardized, yet they are so small that they can easily fit inside a teacup, and this gave birth to the name teacup dog breeds also known as pocket dog. There are various breeds with the teacup version; some known ones are Chihuahua, Teacup Yorkie, and Maltese.

Know More About Teacups

teacup dog

Dr. Abens said, “teacups come from the smallest puppies from a litter of toy breed dogs.” Not all breeders are responsible. Some breeders get these small puppies from breeding sick dogs or dogs that were the litter runt. It can cause health complications in newborn pups and future generations.

If breeders keep breeding dogs with birth defects, it can cause issues with the gene pool in that particular breed. Breeders may choose the smallest puppies from other groups, such as a Dachshund from the hound category or a Siberian husky from the working classification.

Teacup dog breeders may breed the pups with other pups and some pups with their sisters, parents, or brothers. Inbreeding can increase the chances of genetic disorders and other health complications.

Puppies may also be born prematurely and later bred to create small teacups. Some breeders purposely underfeed the pups to stop their growth.

Breeding two healthy dogs that are not known to be related usually produces healthier and strong litter. New generically material can fortify the next generation’s overall structure, physical vitality, and temperament.

How Many Types of Teacup Breeds Are There?

When you look online for the most popular teacups breeds, you will find a long list of cute and adorable tiny pups; only a few dog breeds are classified as teacups. Take a look at the following dog breeds.

Teacup Maltese

teacup dogs breeds

This dog breed is amongst the oldest known breed, dating back to nearly 3000 years ago; back then, people considered these dogs royalty. The standard size of this dog is already small; for this reason, teacups are smaller than the standard size. Their low energy and small size make them an ideal choice for people who want to have a fur baby always ready for cuddles.

Their small size makes them highly fragile, and they can become nervous when meeting new pets and unfamiliar environments. It will take some time for these dogs to warm up, so if you want to introduce them to new people, make sure they are in their place. On the other hand, they have a natural temperament that is suitable for quick learning.


Although they get excited around their owners, still be careful around them as you may trample over them. Likewise, stairs are also not suitable for these tiny puppies and are suited for flats and bungalows. It is essential to watch over them when they are with kids and teach them how to handle small dogs if you want to prevent accidents.

Teacup Pomeranian

teacup dog

This may need anti-bark training; Teacup Pomeranian dogs are alert and curious about the world around them. While they are amongst the most popular teacup dog breeds, they won’t hesitate to let you know when something is wrong.

Teacup Pomeranians are low in energy and playfulness than the standard dog, so they will do their best in a more laid-back household; as with all teacup dog breeds, it is best if these puppies are in a home with only adults and older children. They are great purse dogs due to their calmness and are often popular as the best breeds for women.

Teacup Yorkie

teacup dogs breeds

Teacup Yorkie one is a super popular dog breed. It is a brave and confident dog with a lot of personality. They are caring, loving, and adaptable, except when it comes to children and other animals. Teacups Yorkies are not fond of them.

Teacup Yorkies can live in almost any situation, such as in a city, country, in apartments, and with no yard. Yorkshire terriers are an active breed that demands a lot of play and exercise. They also need the training to bark less. Therefore, if you want this dog, you should dedicate yourself to getting this pet.

Pomsky Teacups

teacup dogs breeds

As the name suggests, the Pomsky is the hybrid between a Siberian husky and a Pomeranian. Pomskies differ in size depending on how many breeds they have in them. This combination tends to have a high energy level, so be ready for lots of play and walking.

Teacup Poodle

teacup dogs breeds

Teacup Poodles are an intelligent, friendly, and active breed; they are best for family dogs and are suited for people with allergies due to their hypoallergenic coats.

These dogs have a colorful history, from being the hunting companion in Germany to being pampered by the French nobility and becoming popular in Spain. Today, these breeds are favorite pets, and they come in standard, toy, and miniature sizes.

The teacup version of these breeds is even smaller than the miniature size. But their look and personality are the same. They all have dark, stocky built and oval eyes, and they express intelligence and alertness.

Their fur is their major characteristic; it is dense, low-shedding, curly, and hypoallergenic. It may need minimum maintenance, but they require frequent grooming to keep them looking good.

This breed is prone to health complications such as gastric torsion, cataracts, and epilepsy. They are best for families with older children and those living in apartments. Naturally, these are energetic, friendly, and highly trainable. Thus, people find them attractive.

Teacup Pug

teacup dogs breeds

Pugs are famous for their prominent features; they are playful, passionate, sometimes ridiculous, cheerful, and always peaceful. Many dog lovers wish to have a pug because they are adorable and affectionate.

Over the years, cup dog version popularity has reached pung-lovers and increased their interest in having these little doggies in pocket sizes. There are pugs smaller than their regular-sized counterparts. They have short legs and could be possible runts in a litter.

The teacup pug is a cross between a bug and a teacup version of Chihuahua. They are also known as chug or Pughuahua. These dogs remain lovable and adorable despite their dwarfism and seemingly inferior qualities.

They are suitable apartment dwellers as they do not need much exercise and have this chill demeanor. While they are stubborn, you can easily train them with the help of positive treats as rewards.

What Are the Common Health Concerns?

teacup dog

Below are some common health concerns with teacup puppies.

  • Liver shunts can cause these dogs to be small because they are not healthy and cannot survive. It can cause major issues later and decrease their lifespan.
  • Teacups are very fragile, and their bones can easily break.
  • Teacups are prone to hypoglycemia.

Conclusion

Over the past few years, teacup dog breeds are everywhere; they are inside women’s purses and all over social media with their immense cuteness.  Due to their popularity, many dog lovers have taken a serious interest in them. As cute as teacups dogs are, you should deal with them with the utmost care; before getting them, you should carefully adhere to the guide that the vet gives you.

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