Last Updated on July 2, 2021 by Fumipets
Teacup Chihuahua is a purebred Chihuahua that belongs into the smallest category of its type, often known as Teacups or tiny Chihuahuas. As the name implies, they are the size of a teacup. A fully developed Teacup Chihuahua may be about 6 inches tall, with an average weight of around 3 pounds.
You need to know what precisely a Teacup Chihuahua is and what’s good and not so good about her before acquiring such a dog, and how do they vary from ordinary Chihuahuas.
In this article, we are exploring everything about these little tots, so read on to find out about the realities of having a Teacup Chihuahua.
Teacup Chihuahua – fiction or reality?
The Teacup Chihuahua (a.k.a micro Chihuahua, tiny Chihuahua, and miniature Chihuahua) is, in reality, a fictitious dog. She is neither a breed nor a variation of the primary breed.
The phrase ‘Teacup Chihuahua’ is simply a description or, more accurately, a marketing ploy to attract new consumers, and it refers to those mature Chihuahuas that have smaller dimensions than the normal ones.
Generally, the requirements for a Chihuahua’s size are between 4 and 6 pounds (1.8-2.7 kg), but there’s no minimum, as stated above, Chihuahuas cab be as little as 2 or 3 pounds (0.9 – 1.3 kg) are recognized by the national and international clubs, too. And these tiny Chihuahuas appear to be very popular among dog owners.
This new trend has motivated many unscrupulous breeders to attempt to get smaller pups via selective breeding to sell their new dogs for greater costs.
When acquiring a tiny Chihuahua, make sure you’re not promoting these behaviours since they are harmful to the breed in the long run. You should understand how to identify a trustworthy breeder and only purchase from someone who matches this description.
It’s not simple to predict whether your Chihuahua puppy will be teacup-sized.
No breeder can tell you how big your Chihuahua puppy will be as an adult. Genetics may be difficult when it comes to a Chihuahua’s size, so the puppy you see marketed as a “Teacup Chihuahua” might develop into a 5 or 6-pound dog.
Chihuahua pups are tiny and adorable, no matter how big their parents are. I believe it’s hard not to fall in love with them:
A simpler way to acquire a tiny Chihuahua is to buy an adult instead of a puppy. When she reaches one year or more, she will be completely developed, and you can be confident of her measurements. Check with the animal shelters, vets and rescue organizations in your region for a Teacup Chihuahua to adopt.
However, dealing with an adult Chihuahua is tougher than beginning with a puppy. Mostly because as they grow up, these dogs are obstinate and difficult to train, so you’ll need to devote more time to teach your future dog the home rules.
There’s more dog than toy in a Teacup Chihuahua
According to statistics collated by Barkpost, Chihuahuas are the second most abandoned dog in the US, behind the American Pit Bull Terrier. This is frequently due to individuals wanting them as an ornament and not understanding that these dogs have needs like any other breed.
If you’re thinking of acquiring a Chihuahua, you’ll have a live creature to take care of for the next 15 – 20 years.
What’s more, when you acquire a Teacup Chihuahua, you can anticipate a dog with unique requirements, owing to its tiny size. Here is a list of the important things you need to know:
Nutrition
Your Teacup Chihuahua requires high-quality food, specifically designed for tiny breeds.
Measure the daily food consumption in calories to make sure you give all the nutrients your dog needs to remain healthy. As a rule, a small puppy should consume 55 calories/pound per day, whereas an adult dog requires 40 calories/pound.
Exercise
Teacup Chihuahuas require less exercise than a normal dog. A 10 – 15 minute walk twice a day will suffice.
Keep playing sessions brief (no more than 15 minutes) and engaging.
Grooming
Teacup Chihuahuas shed a lot, particularly in spring, whether they have long or short coats.
To prevent hair loss, brush your tiny Chihuahua gently 3-4 times a week.
Keeping her away from cold
All Chihuahuas suffer in cold weather, therefore, Teacup Chihuahuas should be clothed properly while going outdoors, particularly during winter.
These dogs should keep clear from rain, too.
Maintain a comfortable temperature inside your house all year.
Add an additional blanket in her kennel at night time if she’s trembling or shivering in the morning.
Taking Care of the Teacup Chihuahua
These canines are tiny and have weak bones, which makes them prone to injury. Young children shouldn’t be permitted to play alone with a Chihuahua, since they’re not cautious enough. Stepping or sitting on a Teacup Chi that’s hidden beneath the blanket may easily kill the dog.
Another reason to keep Chihuahuas away from young toddlers is their disposition. These dogs love to be at the centre of attention and may quickly get jealous of small children and attack them. If you have children in your home, it’s best to start socializing at the earliest possible moment to get your dog accustomed to humans.
It’s also recommended if these dogs don’t live with or spend too much time with creatures that may give them injuries or bone fractures. Chihuahuas tend to exhibit aggressiveness towards other animals and even attack bigger breeds, which may end tragically for a 3-pound dog. For this reason, it’s ideal if she is the only dog at home.
These dogs tend to favour others of the same breed, so if you enjoy owning more than one dog, acquiring a second Chihuahua is preferable for your pet’s comfort and safety. If you already have pets, try to introduce them while she’s still a puppy and constantly monitor your dog when she might be injured by mingling with other animals.
Chihuahuas are typically what people term a “one-person dog” meaning they prefer to connect with one owner more than with the rest of the family. They’re loyal, loving and lively, but I think they are more suited for solitary individuals than for big families.
Potty training
Teacup Chihuahuas have small bladders, which means they need to excrete frequently. They also tend to have problems in regulating themselves, thus toilet training is a lengthy procedure, which sometimes doesn’t yield any benefits.
The ideal method when dealing with such tiny pets is to designate a place within the house where your dog may eliminate. Paper training may help you keep your home tidy without placing too much stress on your small buddy.
Many Chihuahuas suffer from submissive urination, induced by their high activity levels and by excitement. Try not to excite her too much or offer her praise while she is in this frame of mind. For example, when you arrive home, wait for her to be calm before you welcome her.
Health problems
Chihuahuas are generally healthy dogs, but smaller Chihuahuas are more at risk of acquiring some of the breed’s frequent medical issues. So, consider the dangers before deciding to acquire such a tiny and frail dog.
A Teacup Chihuahua is susceptible to any of the following medical conditions:
Hypoglycemia – frequent in tiny dogs, typically induced by a poor diet or by missing meals;
Patellar luxation – sometimes called loose knees, this issue frequently develops in Chihuahuas, particularly when they have weak bones;
Tracheal collapse;
Liver shunt;
Eye and skin issues
Before purchasing a Chihuahua puppy, experts suggest you ask for an ophthalmology assessment, a heart check, and a patella evaluation.
Cost
With so many prospective owners willing to spend a lot for a tiny dog, prices are higher for miniature Chihuahuas compared to normal Chihuahuas. And, as mentioned before, you can’t even tell for sure how big your dog is going to grow when you purchase a puppy.
While a Chihuahua costs on average between $300 – 500, a Teacup Chihuahua may be as much as $2,000. And this is only the beginning of a long and costly journey. The first year will cost you at least $ 2,600 in medical examinations, vaccines, accessories and other minor expenditures.
In the coming years, you’ll spend almost $2,000 yearly. Teacup Chihuahuas require an exercise pen, a secure cage at home, a travelling crate, tiny toys specifically made for toy dogs, costly food, clothing and special harnesses to protect them.
Having pet medical insurance may help you minimize costs. Generally, prices vary on your dog’s age, the kind of coverage you select and the region you reside in, and they start from $50/month.
Conclusion
The Teacup Chihuahua is neither a distinct breed nor even a breed. She is just a tiny Chihuahua. She is a dog like any other, who requires a devoted owner.
As we have seen, we’re talking about a dog with unique requirements owing to her unusual size. She performs best with a single owner in a home without children and without other pets that aren’t Chihuahuas.
It’s essential to search for a trustworthy breeder and to keep in mind that, if purchasing her as a puppy, it is difficult to tell what size she will be as an adult.
A Chihuahua, Teacup sized or standard, is a long-term commitment, and you should examine it carefully before beginning this journey.
