Teacup Dogs for Sale
Often, when you are looking for a small dog, you will see Teacup puppies for sale. Teacups can command higher prices, but do not let anyone convince you that they are a special or rare breed. Teacup puppies for sale refer to dogs that are smaller than the breed’s average size range. Some Teacups are much smaller than the breed standard while others are simply on the low end. Teacup dogs received the popular moniker because they should fit in a teacup. Most of them will weigh under seven pounds. “True Teacup” dogs are between three and five pounds. Some miniatures that weigh 15 pounds still get the designation Teacup because they are so far removed from the breed standard. Moreover, hybrids like Teddy Bear puppies for sale may qualify as Teacups even if they are larger than 10 pounds. This is partly because crosses do not have set size standards.
Breeds
Only certain dog breeds offer Teacup varieties.
Poodle
Charming and entertaining, the Toy Poodle makes an excellent pet for families with older children and small dogs. A few Poodles this size are too high-strung or fragile for young children. Nevertheless, they make great watchdogs and affectionate companions. Toys are under ten inches tall and weigh between six and tens pounds. Teacups are under nine inches and less than six pounds. No matter the size, Poodles have the same standard with a compact square body, hanging ears, large dark-colored eyes, a dome-shaped head, medium-strong muzzle, muscular shoulders and hindquarters, and a tight curly coat. Colors include silver, white, black, brindle, red, grey, and apricot. While other sizes are often pied (white and another color) or bicolor, the preference is for solid-colored Teacup Poodles.
Toy Poodle/ Teacup Poodle for Sale
Yorkshire Terrier
Despite her diminutive size, the Yorkie is a true terrier with plenty of adventure, self-confidence, and liveliness. Yorkshire Terriers are affectionate and endearing with family members but leery of strangers. Yorkies make good alarmists. The Yorkshire Terrier is usually seven or eight inches tall and weighs about seven pounds. A Yorkie is a balanced dog. The back is short to give a square appearance. Yorkshire Terriers have small heads that are flat on top, dark-colored medium-sized eyes, small V-shaped upright ears, and a medium-length docked tail The coat must be straight and part evenly down the middle of the dog’s body from head to tail. Pet owners often keep their dogs in a short clip, but the coat on a show animal reaches the ground. Yorkies, born black and tan, should lighten to blue and tan, although some appear silver or grey. Teacup Yorkies are five to seven inches tall and only weigh two to four pounds.
Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is a breed that is already a Teacup, the Toy standard calling for a height of six to seven inches and a weight of three to seven pounds. Another compact miniature, the Pom is in the Spitz family and has the requisite wedge-shaped head, triangular erect ears, alert stance, dense double coat, and tail carried against the back. Poms are curious, active, competitive, and engaging. They can be any color or pattern, including red, black, blue, cream, sable, orange, brindle, parti (white with any solid color), piebald (largely white with colored patches), or tan pointed.
Maltese
The Maltese are a playful, docile, and charming pet with a boldness that belies his size and loving nature that endears him to everyone. It is another compact Toy breed whose height at the shoulders should equal his length from the base of the neck to the root of the tail. The tail is plumed and the tip curves over the back to one side or the other. Additional breed characteristics are a medium-sized balanced head carried high, drop ears, round dark eyes with black rims, a fine muzzle, and a level topline. The coat is universally white and should be straight and silky. Like for the Yorkie, Maltese owners may keep the coat clipped, but otherwise, the hair should almost reach the ground. Ears and legs have abundant feathering. A Teacup Maltese is eight inches tall and weighs four to five pounds, but the breed standard already states a preference for tiny dogs for sale that will be between four and six pounds when full-grown.
Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are already the smallest breed of dog without the label Teacup. An adult Chihuahua is five to eight inches tall and weighs less than six pounds. A Chihuahua can have a long or short coat with or without an undercoat. She can be any color including red, merle, black, brindle, cream, and fawn. Her temperament should resemble that of a terrier, bright, lively, brave, and feisty. Chihuahuas are compact with an almost square body that is slightly longer than tall. The head is round (“apple head”) as are the eyes. A Chihuahua’s eyes can be dark or light-colored but not blue. The ears are large and flare to the sides unless the dog is alert, and the tail is medium-long and often curling over the back. Teacups are usually half a foot tall and weigh two or three pounds.
Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are loyal and affectionate companion dogs known for their boldness, friendly nature, cheerfulness, playful manner, and intelligence. Both the head and tail are carried high, like the Maltese. The ears are drop on a round and broad head with large eyes. A Shih Tzu is short-faced with a square, shallow muzzle. Although they look long and low to the ground, Shi Tzus should be balanced, only slightly longer than tall. A Shih Tzu has a long, flowing dual coat of any color including blue, red, black, gold, silver, tri-colored, and bi-colored (Usually white and another color). Shih Tzus are rather large Toys at eight to eleven inches tall and nine to sixteen pounds. Teacups are six inches tall and weigh under six pounds.
Boston Terrier
With their classic black and white tuxedo pattern or brindle and white short glossy coats, the Boston Terrier seems the poster child for small breeds with large heads and smooshed faces. Bostons are friendly, outgoing, smart, and clownish. They should be compact and harmonious in appearance with a square head, dark round wide-set eyes, small upright ears, short broad muzzle, and well-muscled neck, back, and limbs. Bostons are members of the non-sporting group of the AKC and can range from 15 to 17 inches tall typically weighing 12 to 25 pounds. Teacups or Mini Bostons are under ten pounds.
Pekingese
Like the Shih Tzu, the Pekingnese is a regal short-faced dog breed from China. A muscular Toy, the Pekingese is six to nine inches tall and weighs 14 pounds or less. The breed’s head is relatively large with a compact body that is only slightly longer than tall, heart-shaped ears that lie flat, large dark wide-set eyes, flat face, and a short thick tail carried over the back. These dogs have a luxurious double coat with a characteristic ruff or “mane” around the neck. You can expect an independent, intelligent, good-natured dog with a wariness towards strangers. Teacups are still compact but only stand six inches tall and weigh three to six pounds. Any color is permissible with or without a black facial mask.
Bichon Frise
The Bichon is a long-bodied dog, about 25% longer than it is tall with a rather broad chest. Always white, the Bichon Frise should be plush with a dense undercoat. Some off shades may appear near the ears, but a Bichon should be 90% or more white. The expression should be soft with dark forward-facing eyes, a round top skull, and hanging ears. Bichons are jolly, carrying their plumed tails gracefully over their backs. They are loving, gentle, and playful. Bichons tend to be more sensitive to a sharp word than other breeds. The standard Toy size is ideally nine and a half to eleven and a half inches tall weighing 10 to 20 pounds. Minis are seven to 12 pounds while a Teacup may only weigh four pounds.
Pug
Although difficult to train on account of their stubbornness, Pugs are smart, affectionate, lively dogs. They tend to be social and mischievous. Pugs have a massive head with a blunt square snout, large prominent dark eyes, a barrel chest, cobby body, and muscular quarters with strong legs. The ears are velvety and thin and either rose-shaped or button. Pugs have tight double-curled tails and short glossy coats. They are either fawn or black, with fawns having melanistic masking as dark as possible on the face, moles, ears, and trace. The back trace is a dorsal stripe or band of black hairs that runs from the back of the head to the tail. Standard Pugs belong to the Toy group, standing 10 to 13 inches tall at the shoulders and weighing 14 to 18 pounds. Teacup Pugs are six inches tall and weigh four pounds.
Brussels Griffon
Not as well-known as the others, the Griffon is a Belgian dog that originated in Brussels in the 1800s. It is a well-balanced inquisitive Toy dog eight to ten inches tall and weighing eight to ten pounds. Sturdier than its weight would suggest, the Brussels is a well-muscled breed with a large round head. Its large wide-set eyes look human with long lashes and an open expression. The ears are high-set, small, and semi-erect. Some show dogs have their ears cropped, but ear trimming is not mandatory. The snout is so short that the nose sits directly in line with the eyes. Brussels Griffons are lively, alert, sensitive, loyal, and self-important. Coats come in smooth or wiry varieties and colors can be black, black and tan, red, or beige (red mixed with black hairs). Teacups are under eight pounds.
Miniature Dogs for Sale
One breed, the Beagle, can be classified either as a mini or the largest of the Teacups.
Dachshund
Dachshunds come in two sizes, miniature or standard. The minis were working dogs, bred for game that was smaller than the traditional badgers. Standard Dachshunds are eight or nine inches tall while the mini is five or six inches at the shoulders. The former weighs 16 to 32 pounds and the latter 11 pounds or less. Earning their nickname “Weiner Dog,” Dachshunds are long-bodied and low to the ground with a “Roman” nose appearance to their long snout, dark medium-sized almond-shaped eyes, and deep chest. The neck is rather long, strong, and arched and the tail is set on level with the spine and carried somewhat high when excited. Dachshunds have a powerful bite for a little dog and make great watchdogs. They are loyal, bold, reckless, and happy. Their coats come in long, smooth, or wire-haired varieties and can be chocolate, black and tan, wheaten, cream, black and cream, Isabella and cream, and red among many others.
Beagle
Beagles are small hounds with two standard sizes. The larger is 13 to 15 inches tall and weighs 20 to 30 pounds while the smaller is under 13 inches and less than 20 pounds. So-called Teacup Beagles are under 15 pounds. These hounds are quite common because of their laid-back, friendly personalities. They get along seamlessly with children and other dogs. Their one fault is a characteristic loud baying bark, except in the hands of hunters. Beagles are gentle but determined and level-headed but excitable when they see something chase worthy. A Beagle is a compact well-balanced dog with a long tail they carry in a curve, expressive wide-set eyes, hanging ears, and a smooth coat. Colors can be black and tan tricolor, lemon and white, orange and white, and white and chocolate among others.
Mixed Little Dogs for Sale
Some designer dogs can be teacup breeds themselves, especially if their parents are already part of that classification. Notable examples are Maltipoos, the Morkie (Maltese x Yorkie), and the Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x Poodle). One intriguing cross that produces live Teddy Bear puppies for sale is the Shih Tzu x Bichon Frise cross or Shichon. Teddy Bear dogs are 12 inches tall and weigh 12 to 13 pounds. They can be of various colors and combine the sweet, loving, and eager-to-please qualities of the parent breeds. Breeders sometimes add Pug or Chihuahua to other breeds to create smaller versions of popular dogs. They may seek to miniaturize Boxers or Bulldogs. Occasionally, certain hybrids are healthier than purebred Teacup dogs.
Lifespan of Miniature Dogs for Sale
Some Teacups live a shortened lifespan of six to eight years, like giant breeds. Others, such as the Chihuahua, enjoy a typical little dog longevity of 12 to 15 years or longer.
How to Choose and Care for the Right Teacup Puppy
Like any dog, tiny dogs for sale must fit your lifestyle and goals.
Training
How much time do you have to dedicate to training? Do you have the patience for a stubborn or willful dog? One of the top items people neglect with little dogs is training. Small dogs may be lightweight but one that runs you over can ruin some of the joy of pet ownership.
Grooming
If you are on a tight schedule or do not care for the idea of spending long bonding sessions brushing or bathing your dog, then consider the coat type. Decide whether you will hire a professional groomer. Will you keep a long-haired dog clipped short? Do you know how to strip a wiry coat? Any dog needs its ears inspected regularly for signs of redness or irritation. Tiny dogs often have dental challenges due to exaggerated bites or overcrowded teeth. Short-faced breeds are particularly vulnerable to dental issues. You will need to tend to your dog’s nails every four to six weeks as she is unlikely to wear them down.
Feeding
While Teacup dogs for sale cannot tolerate excess weight on their tiny frames, they tend to have greater caloric needs than their larger counterparts. The average dog needs about 20 to 35 calories per pound per day depending upon age, activity level, health, and reproductive status. Teacups may need 10 to 15% more calories per pound than a medium dog and perhaps up to 25% more than a giant Great Dane. Small dogs are largely carnivorous like their large relatives, require high-quality proteins from meat sources.
Exercise
Teacups may not need marathon levels of activity like your German Shepherd, but they require daily exercise and mental stimulation. Most breeds will do well on 20 to 30 minutes of vigorous activity per day mixed with training and socialization. Break sessions up and be particularly mindful of short-faced breeds. Brachycephalic dogs like the Pug should not exercise for extended time frames and cannot tolerate the heat. Little dogs, in general, suffer from extreme heat or cold because of their large surface area to volume ratio.
Controversy and Health
Like any dog, Teacup breeds should come from ethical and responsible breeders. Due diligence will not enable you to avoid some of the problems that plague undersized dogs. A canid with DNA from a wolf was probably never meant to be under five pounds. Nevertheless, you can avoid puppy mills and individuals who repeatedly turn out litters with known defects, questionable bloodlines, and countless dogs that fail to thrive. Certain breeds like Chihuahuas and Yorkies will require you to prepare yourself for lifetime intensive care, mostly for hypoglycemia, hydrocephalus, and heart disease. Not all Teacups have serious health issues. However, knowing the risks ahead of time should be part of your decision-making process in trying to choose the right puppy or dog for your home.