What You Should Know About The Teacup Chihuahua

When it comes to dogs, if you think smaller is better, the teacup chihuahua may have caught your interest. Unfortunately, a teacup sized chihuahua does not exist, at least not as an independent breed. The Chihuahua Club of America and the American Kennel Club recognize only two types of chis - The long haired and the short haired chihuahua.

If a teacup chihuahua doesn't exist, how come I have heard so much about them, and have seen ads with breeders selling them? Essentially, the reason is the term "teacup", along with other words such as "miniature", "pocket size", and "tiny toy", have been used to describe the size of the chihuahua, and not the actual breed. In many cases, breeders or other sellers will use these words to entice prospective buyers. Thus, when it comes down to it, "teacup chihuahuas" is a term that is incorrect and misleading.

Chihuahuas are toy dogs, and averaging a weight of 4 - 6 pounds when fully grown, they are recognized as the smallest dog breed in the world. As with any breed, some dogs may be smaller than others, and this is likely where the idea of the teacup chihuahua came into play. Therefore, it is possible for you to find a pooch that is smaller than your average chi, but you need to ask yourself, why exactly would you want a dog under 4 pounds that fits in the palm of your hand?

The chihuahua is already known to be a very fragile breed that is prone to certain health problems, and the smaller the dog, the more risk for problems. You can pretty much guarantee that a teacup chihuahua will be hypoglycemic (abnormally low blood sugar - difficulty regulating sugar levels in the blood), and will also be prone to respiratory, dehydration, thyroid and liver problems. Additionally, it is much easier for the animal to fracture his bones or strain his ligaments.

A small chi will have a difficult time regulating their body temperature, so great care will need to be taken to ensure the dog is warm or cooled accordingly, such as with jackets, blankets, etc. Moreover, this dog is not compatible with young children, as the risk of injury is far too great.

Last but not least, finding a teacup chihuahua is no easy task. While a breeder may claim to sell this size, it cannot be guaranteed that the dog will remain under 4 pounds when fully grown. You also cannot determine if the dog will be miniature based on his parents or pedigree. Remember, an exceptionally small chihuahua is still part of the same breed. Basically, it is just the runt of a litter.