How Much Do Teacup Chihuahuas Cost? Are They Less Expensive?

Some of the dogs loved by many people are among the most expensive dogs in the world; while the cost of purchase is usually high, so is maintenance. So, if you plan to purchase an exotic dog, you must be prepared to spend a lot. One of the most expensive dogs in the world is Teacup Chihuahuas.

If you want to purchase a Teacup Chihuahua, you should have a budget of about $1500 to $5000. Of course, this is the price if you purchase the dog from a responsible and reputable breeder. You can still get a Teacup Chihuahua for about $500 to $2000; however, these are not from registered breeders.

Although purchasing a dog from regular breeders is cheaper, there are lots of hidden disadvantages, including weak and unhealthy dogs, unimmunized dogs, and unregistered dogs. It is best to purchase from a registered breeder.

How Much Do Teacup Chihuahuas Cost?

The price of Teacup Chihuahuas varies across different places. A lot of factors are responsible for the varying prices. You could choose to get a Teacup Chihuahua from a reputable breeder, a rescue center, or online adverts.

Generally, the price range for these cute dogs is usually between $500 to $5000. The most expensive ones are from a reputable breeder, as their puppies are generally sold for around $1500 to $5000. We will be explaining the different prices Teacup Chihuahuas could go for below, depending on where you are buying from.

Cost From A Reputable Breeder

Truly, the American Kennel Club does not recognize Teacup Chihuahuas as a breed on its own, and it only recognizes the Standard Chihuahuas. However, very small-sized litters of the Standard Chihuahua that are about 4 to 6 inches tall, with a weight lesser than 6 pounds, are referred to as Teacup Chihuahuas.

When getting a Teacup Chihuahua from a reputable breeder, you should expect to spend about $1500 to $5000. They are always offered for this high price because breeders usually spend a lot of money, time, and effort producing these dogs and ensuring they are healthy.

For instance, some health tests are usually conducted on the parent breeds to eliminate the risks of giving birth to sick or weak litters. Some of the health tests include Patella luxation, heart murmurs, hip dysplasia, and Ophthalmic diseases. Also, the puppies are immunized to prevent health issues.

Each test has a different cost. Hip dysplasia tests cost about $200 to $400, Ophthalmic diseases tests cost about $50 to $150, heart murmurs tests cost about $50 to $150, and patella luxation tests cost about $50 to $150. Hip dysplasia is when the dog’s hip is completely or partially dislocated, and it can be diagnosed through x-rays.

Also, when a Teacup Chihuahua is born, the breeders would ensure a vet examines them to detect any form of health issue. In case there are any, treatment would be administered accordingly. Also, other costs incurred include deworming, vaccinations, and feeding before the dogs are sold.

Cost From A Rescue Center

The price of Teacup Chihuahua when adopting is lower when compared to getting from a reputable breeder. The price paid at rescue centers for Teacup Chihuahuas is usually around $300 to $500. The fee is lower than that of reputable breeders because you are actually not paying to purchase the puppy.

Instead, the money paid is usually equivalent to the amount of care the dog has received there and some to support other dogs in their care. Some of the costs incurred could include deworming, vaccination, and spay surgery. Most times, rescue centers rely on donations to help them care for many dogs.

On some occasions, dogs often come to the rescue very sick. When this happens, the rescue center becomes responsible for the cost of diagnosis and treatments provided. These costs could sometimes be on the high side; however, the reality is that the Teacup Chihuahua could later be adopted for $500 only.

If you consider getting a Teacup Chihuahua from a rescue center, it is important that you know that you might end up getting a mixed breed rather than a purebred one. You could likely get some small-sized dogs similar to a Teacup Chihuahua.

Cost From Craigslist

If you consider getting a Teacup Chihuahua from an online advertisement platform like Craigslist, you should have a budget of about $500 to $2000. Their price is also lower than that of reputable breeders. However, it is often not always advised to get a dog like Teacup Chihuahua from Craigslist.

The reality is, since the dog is not from a reputable breeder, there are possibilities that the parent breeds were not tested before mating. So, if you buy such a dog, you should not be too surprised when it begins to develop some health challenges.

Also, be prepared to incur costs on vaccination, as there are high chances that the dog is not vaccinated yet. So, if you purchase an unvaccinated Teacup Chihuahua from Craigslist, you will spend a substantial amount of money to get it vaccinated. You should always have this in mind when making purchases from Craigslist.

Are Teacup Chihuahuas Expensive?

One of the questions many people ask about Teacup Chihuahuas is if they are expensive. The answer is that they are expensive; a Teacup Chihuahua puppy costs about $1500 to $5000. Only a few people can afford to spend that much on a puppy. However, one reason they are expensive is where you purchase them from.

We talked about the three places you can purchase a Teacup Chihuahua from; a breeder, a rescue home, and craigslist. Purchasing Teacup Chihuahua from a breeder is expensive, especially if it is from a registered breeder. It is also the safest. Purchasing from a rescue home is the cheapest, but there is no assurance that it is a pure breed.

Moreover, purchasing on craigslist is the most dangerous because there is no way to verify that you are paying for a pure breed and that it is a healthy dog. Another reason Teacup Chihuahuas are expensive is if they are from prestigious breeding farms. Teacups are the runts of the litter, and you may not always have runts, so they are expensive.

The scarcity of Teacup Chihuahuas is the major reason they are expensive. However, they are not classified as dogs going extinct; they are still rare to find, difficult to breed, and high maintenance. Also, these dogs are not recognized as pure breeds by the American Kennel Club, so it takes a lot to breed them.

Costs Of Owning A Teacup Chihuahua

We mentioned earlier that the cost of purchase should not be the only thing you consider when purchasing an exotic dog. You also need to look at the cost of maintenance and training. There are many expenses incurred by owning a Teacup Chihuahua, and you should know about them.

Vet Expenses

If you own a Teacup Chihuahua, you need to regularly take it to a veterinarian for medical checkups and treatments. The vet will check the dog for signs of health issues, including dental issues, liver shunts, water on the brain (hydrocephalus), and sliding kneecaps (luxating patella).

Food & Toy Expenses

Teacup Chihuahuas are small dogs, so they do not eat much; however, you will have to spend money purchasing their food, and it has to be recommended by the veterinarian. Teacup Chihuahuas need healthy, nutritious meals to remain healthy, strong, and live longer.

Final Thoughts

Owning a Teacup Chihuahua can be expensive; however, when you include maintenance, the cost can be overwhelming. Nevertheless, there are various ways to purchase a Teacup Chihuahua at a lesser price, although there is no guarantee of the dog’s durability, health, and strength.

Also read:

• How Long Do Teacup Chihuahuas Live?
• What Can Chihuahuas Eat? [SAFE HUMAN FOODS]