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Is Teacup Chihuahua A Good Breed? What You Need To Know

Is Teacup Chihuahua A Good Breed? What You Need To Know

If you are a lover of small dog breeds, the Chihuahuas is a dog breed you might love to own as a pet. Teacup Chihuahuas is a smaller version of Chihuahuas, having the same traits and characteristics. They are a perfect companion for you and could easily fit into the tiniest of things.

Teacup Chihuahuas are a great dog breed; they are fun-loving, great companions, and love the attention of their owners. Although Teacup Chihuahuas are great dogs, there is one issue with them; they are prone to various health issues. They are also susceptible to cold due to their small bodies.

Teacup Chihuahuas are bred for a warm, indoor climate; they thrive in homes with adequate space to play around and release their energy.

tiny chihuahuas in cups

Teacup Chihuahua

The history of Chihuahuas could be traced to be descended from a dog named Techichi, as far back as the 9th century in Mexico. Techichi is a small South American mute dog bred by the Toltec civilization in Mexico for hunting purposes. Sometime around 1850, Chihuahuas were said to have appeared in Mexico.

After that, Chihuahua was named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua. The American Kennel Club recognized this breed in 1904. According to research, Chihuahuas are currently ranked 33rd out of 193 dogs. Chihuahuas are also the smallest dogs in the world. Teacup Chihuahuas result from selective breeding between the smallest Chihuahuas.

Teacup Chihuahua is not recognized as an independent breed of its own by any kennel club. However, the name Teacup Chihuahua is used by breeders to represent smaller sizes of the Chihuahua below the standard size. Teacup Chihuahuas come in different colors; black, chocolate, gold, fawn, white, or cream.

They have two different coats, which could either be long-haired or short-haired, just like the Chihuahua. Brushing should be done once every week for those with a short coat. However, brushing should be done between 2 to 3 times weekly for the breeds with the long coat.

Even though Chihuahuas are the world’s smallest dogs, they are very intelligent and bold. They love attention, and they always want you to be around them. Always ensure they are not left alone for too long, as they could suffer from separation anxiety. They love to play. However, sometimes, they tend to get tired and sleep off when playing too hard. The reality is that they do not have the energy to play for too long due to their tiny size.

Teacup Chihuahuas are perfect in families with older children. They are meant to be handled with proper care, as they are very fragile and delicate bones. Due to their tiny size, they could easily fall off from kids, leading to a severe injury or death. It is best advised that adequate monitoring and supervision are done when kids are around.

Chihuahuas get well with other dogs and pets with proper training and socialization. However, they are best advised to be left only with similar breeds, as other pets might be too rough for them. Some forms of play could lead to dislocations and fractures. Teacup Chihuahuas feeding should consist of high-quality foods with a balanced diet.

They cannot take any food into their tiny mouths due to their very small size. So, you are expected to purchase kibbles specially designed for small dogs. Teacup Chihuahuas are meant to eat up to 4 times daily to not suffer from low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

You can meet with your veterinary doctor to determine the right quantity of food for your Teacup Chihuahuas. They could also help you design a healthy feeding meal and pattern to ensure a daily balanced diet. Teacup Chihuahuas have a life expectancy of 7 to 12 years. As a result of their small size, these breeds are prone to certain health conditions.

Some of these diseases could be prevented by good breeding. The implication is that the dogs would have to be larger than their current size. Also, getting dogs from reputable breeders helps in getting healthy dogs. Some common health challenges common to Teacup Chihuahuas are hypoglycemia, collapsed trachea, patellar luxation, pulmonic stenosis, incontinence, and bone fractures.

Whenever either of these symptoms is displayed in your Teacup Chihuahuas, it is best to take them for medical check-ups and timely treatment. Otherwise, it could lead to the dogs’ death. For instance, when Teacup Chihuahuas suffer from a collapsed trachea, they find it very difficult to breathe. When left untreated timely, the dog would end up dead in no time.

How Much Are Teacup Chihuahuas?

Small dog breeds are usually more expensive than large breeds. Teacup dogs are usually very expensive. The price of a Teacup Chihuahua is around $1500 to $5000 from a reputable breeder. Based on their small sizes, only a few veterinary doctors and specialists are available to take care of them properly.

When considering getting a Teacup Chihuahua, you must factor in other costs incurred in taking care of the dogs. Other costs such as medical, insurance, feeding, clothing, and other equipment needed are meant to be considered well. This breed is not meant for you for an owner who is unwilling to spend much on a dog.

Purchasing a Teacup Chihuahua from a rescue home can be more expensive than a breeder. This is because the fee you are paying does not cover only the price for the dog; it also covers the vetting provided by the rescue home and a little extra to help them care for other animals in the shelter.

If you want to adopt a Teacup Chihuahua, you should budget between $300 to $1000. Dogs from adoption homes ought to cost more because they could come in sick and veterinary care needed to get them healthy and back on their feet will be provided in the adoption home.

Teacup Chihuahuas are not recognized as a breed of their own by the AKC, so they cost more among breeders. Teacup Chihuahuas are identified when they are a year old and weigh less than 4 pounds with a height of less than 17 inches. So, you cannot rush to purchase a Teacup Chihuahua from a breeder.

Various health tests have to be conducted on Teacup Chihuahuas before they are sold, and they all have different costs, which are included in the total cost of the dog. Tests like heart murmurs cost $50 to $150, patella luxation cost $50 to $150, ophthalmic disease test costs $50 to $75, and hip dysplasia cost $50 to $150.

happy chihuahua with red collar

How Big Does A Teacup Chihuahua Get?

We mentioned earlier that Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breeds globally, with Teacup Chihuahuas being the smallest Chihuahuas, so technically, the smallest dogs are Teacup Chihuahuas. They can reach a height of about 3 to 5 inches when fully grown.

The parent of the Teacup Chihuahua determines how big it will get. Also, the way you care for the dog will determine if it will grow bigger; taking proper care of your Teacup Chihuahua will make it reach its full height. However, when a Teacup Chihuahua is malnourished and lacks care, it will grow stunted.

Additional reading: Newborn Shih Tzu Puppies

How Much Does A Teacup Chihuahua Weigh?

Teacup Chihuahuas are the lightest dog breeds, weighing about 2 to 4 pounds. One rare fact about this dog breed is that they are usually born by caesarian section performed by a veterinarian due to their small size. It is important to feed your Teacup Chihuahua healthy meals for it to live long and grow well.

Also read: Why Are Chihuahuas So Aggressive? [AND HOW TO STOP IT!]

Final Thoughts

Being the smallest dog in the world, Chihuahuas are considered aggressive dogs; this is one trait that is absent in Teacup Chihuahuas. They are calm dog breeds, and you would have a great time with them. However, you must be ready to spend a lot of money to ensure this dog remains in good health.

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