A teacup dog is a dog that is smaller than a typical dog of that breed. Other terms may include pocket dog, tiny dog, and micro dog. Teacup dogs are usually bred by mating two runts together.
Description
Teacup dogs have no exact size however they are smaller than the standard for their breed and often weigh under 5 lb (2.3 kg).
Teacup breeds
Teacup dogs typically belong to the following breeds: Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodle, Shih Tzu, Maltese, Pomeranian, Chihuahua, and Pug.
Health concerns
Multiple health issues are associated with runts and teacup dogs. They may suffer from hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar); hydrocephaly due to the small size of the skull; portosystemic shunts; periodontitis and gingivitis due to the small jaw leading to problems with tooth growth; tracheal collapse; degenerative mitral valve disease; luxating patella and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease; and hypothermia.
Their small size can lead to problems with the dosage of certain medications such as flea treatment as most flea treatments and other anti-parasite medications are only labeled as suitable for use in dogs over 5 lbs (2 kg).
See also
References
- ^ Coates, Jennifer. "Teacup Dogs and Puppies". PetMD. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
- "What is a teacup dog?". Blue Cross.
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