The tiny teacup Chihuahua is a truly small dog. As an adult, could weigh around 5lbs, or even less. Unfortunately, this miniature size causes some serious health issues. These include hydrocephalus, heart disease, and bone fractures, among others. Standard sized Chihuahuas usually have long lifespans, but the health issues in micro Chihuahuas can mean they live much shorter lives.
Contents
- Teacup vs regular sized Chihuahua
- Do they make good pets?
- Health issues and lifespan
- Teacup Chihuahua puppies
It’s really important to weigh up the pros and cons of a very small dog if you’re considering one. But this is what we will help you do. We’ll find out what the term teacup Chihuahua means, and how being tiny affects the health of these scaled-down pups. We’ll also be talking about how to approach micro Chihuahua breeders and looking at alternatives to this miniature version of the world’s smallest dog
What is a Teacup Chihuahua?
Chihuahuas have been popular companion dogs for millennia. The tiny teacup Chihuahua is a much more recent arrival on the pet scene, but the teacup Chihuahua is not a new breed of dog. In fact, teacup is just a cute and catchy word that breeders and owners have coined to describe a Chihuahua who is smaller than the average.
How big is a full-grown teacup Chihuahua
So just how much smaller than a regular Chihuahua is a teacup variety? The AKC places an upper weight limit on show Chihuahuas of 6 lbs, although many pet Chihuahuas are bigger than this in reality.
Teacup Chihuahua Size
But the breed standard doesn’t stipulate a minimum weight. So without one, who decides when a Chihuahua becomes a teacup Chihuahua? Are what are the thresholds for mini teacup Chihuahuas and micro pocket teacup Chihuahuas?
The answer is nobody. Teacup essentially means nothing but “small.” Of course in any animal there is natural variation, and some are smaller than others.
Someone who breeds standard-sized Chihuahuas might one day find a smaller than average pup in their litter, and prefer to refer to it affectionately as a teacup pup rather than the runt. Other breeders specifically pursue smaller Chihuahuas by breeding these small individuals together.
They might also decide their own weight bands and system of categorizing puppies, such as “teacup,” “mini” and “micro” Chihuahuas.
One of these breeders might decide that teacup means smaller than 5lbs. Another might decide it means smaller than 4lbs. However, there’s no universally recognized consensus.
And many people consider these terms a business-savvy way of making undersized pups appear special and desirable The Chihuahua Club of America has been robust in rejecting the idea that teacup Chihuahua has any formal, standardized definition.
Are Teacup Chihuahuas Good Pets?
Tiny dogs which don’t take up much space and look like puppies their whole lives are very appealing. The puppy stage of dog ownership is an adorable period, made all the more bittersweet because we know it has to end.
Could a miniature teacup Chihuahua be the way to hold onto it forever? Unfortunately it isn’t all good news. There are some important facts that you need to know before you take the plunge and purchase a miniature Chihuahua. And much of it is about health
Teacup Chihuahua health
The standard size Chihuahua has a number of health problems that are a direct result of being such a small dog Several tiny breeds share these problems and they are strongly linked with being tiny.
When we make tiny dogs even tinier, as you can imagine these health problems can become much worse. For teacup Chihuahua puppies, the odds are stacked against them as they embark on life in miniature. These are some of the conditions they’re at risk of:
- heart disease
- hypoglycaemia
- incontinence
- bone fractures
- hydrocephalus
- slipping kneecaps
- loss of rigidity in the windpipe
- predisposition to allergic reactions
- deterioration of the top of the thigh bone
- urolithiasis
- eye diseases
- periodontal disease
- epilepsy
How Long Do Teacup Chihuahuas Live
As a general rule small dogs live longer than giant ones. And standard sized Chihuahuas do have a reputation for longevity. You’ll hear stories about Chihuahuas that lived to twenty years or more. But these are the exception and the evidence from studies carried out in 2004 and in 2013 suggests a much shorter lifespan of between 7 and 12 years.
That is for standard sized Chihuahuas.
We don’t have any data to confirm the longevity of teacup Chihuahuas.But all the evidence points to excessively miniaturized dogs having worse health than their standard sized cousins. It’s fair to assume that most teacup Chihuahuas will live to a maximum of twelve years and possibly have much shorter lives.
I hope you’re still with me after that onslaught of medical information. It’s a lot to get your head around and a lot to think of a tiny 4lb dog dealing with.
Without a doubt, all life exists on a spectrum, and some smaller Chihuahuas will be blessed with good fortune and good health. These are the teacup dogs breeders are likely to want to tell you about, but sadly it’s not representative of the experience of most miniature pups.
Life With a Teacup Chihuahua Dog
Besides the constant carousel of meals and toilet breaks, teacup Chihuahuas are high-maintenance dogs in other ways too. Even though they’re small and unsuited to long walks, they’re still dogs and need appropriate exercise and stimulation through games and interaction with you.
Small dogs are also more likely to be badly behaved, according to a survey of over 8,000 dog owners. These survey results found that the smaller the dog, the more likely they are to have attachment problems, be afraid of or aggressive toward other dogs, and be more excitable and harder to train.
Another study found that Chihuahuas, alongside with Daschunds, are the breed most likely to attack people. It’s not clear though if these problems are genetic, or if we’re just inclined to let small dogs get away with more.
Teacup Chihuahua Breeders
Since teacup Chihuahuas are a relatively recent development, it’s no surprise to discover their breeders are often tech-smart. You’ll find sophisticated websites and a smooth sales pitch. Since we now know that deliberately breeding dogs to fall way outside their usual weight range puts them in danger of a lot of health problems, here are some things to consider when approaching a breeder.
The Chihuahua Club of America does not endorse or condone using the terms “teacup,” “micro,” “pocket size,” “tiny toy” or “miniature” to describe Chihuahuas. Therefore “teacup Chihuahua” is a completely unofficial non-standardized term to describe very small Chihuahuas.
This means that a teacup Chihuahua might very occasionally be a small individual on the edge of the healthy weight. Bred by a responsible breeder committed to the welfare of future Chihuahua generations. But more often than not, the term teacup is used by commercial puppy farms. Determined to market badly reared pups and sickly runts at the expense of their health and well being.
How to Avoid Puppy Farms and Unscrupulous Breeders
It’s hard to get around the fact that any breeder advertising teacup Chihuahua puppies for sale should be avoided simply for using the term “teacup”
So if you see a breeder advertising their Chihuahuas as teacup dogs, then our advice is to avoid them.
Bear in mind that the Chihuahua Club of America recommends all Chihuahuas be registered with the Canine Health Information Center, and tested for cardiac disease, eye diseases and patella luxation.
Your breeder should have records of this for all their breeding stock and be happy to talk candidly about the other health problems facing very small Chihuahuas.
If a breeder brushes your questions and concerns under the carpet, chances are they’re not worrying about it as much as they should be.
Finally, any breeder who always has litters available, never has waiting lists, or won’t let you meet the puppy with its mother before you collect it should be avoided.
Teacup Chihuahua Price
How much does a teacup Chihuahua cost?
One thing about teacup Chihuahuas is indisputable: These tiny dogs are big business.
Even though you’re taking home less dog, you can expect to pay far more for a teacup Chihuahua than you would for a normally reared Chihuahua.
Prices open at around the $1,200 mark, and some breeders command (and apparently receive) in excess of $11,300 for their teacup Chihuahua puppies.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Because when you bring home your teacup Chihuahua, the purchase price is just the beginning.
How Much Does a Teacup Chihuahua Cost Over its Entire Lifetime?
Like all dogs, teacup Chihuahuas need somewhere safe to sleep (such as a crate where they can’t accidentally be sat or stood on)
They also need annual vet checks, flea and worming treatments, vaccinations, toys, and food.
These pups are likely to need a specialized diet for their whole life, and remember they’ll need feeding and a chance to empty their bladder every hour or two.
(paid link) If you won’t be at home to provide this, you need to factor in the cost of doggy daycare to make sure your dog’s needs will be met.
And finally, it’s likely that these ultra-reduced dogs will be no stranger to the vet. As they grow up, the health costs rapidly spiral upward.
Because of the risks to health of miniaturising dogs it’s important that you factor pet health insurance into your budget,
Final Thoughts
The idea of being able to minaturize cute little dogs even further has alway fascinated us. And perhaps one day it will be possible to do so without harming the dogs themselves. But for now, the risks of taking home a sickly and sad little pup are too great.
For teacup puppies of all breeds, the concerns are the same. Exploitation by profit-grabbing breeders, a lifetime of veterinary care for problems caused by their size. Plus the risk of abandonment or euthanasia when the cost and/or complexity of their care becomes too much.
In fact, the term “teacup” is such a consistent indicator of poor breeding that the Chihuahua Club of America has condemned its use. We also strongly advise you against buying a teacup Chihuahua.
But I really long for a tiny dog..
If your heart is set on a really tiny dog, then the kindest thing you can do is to rescue an abandoned teacup Chihuahua.
You’ll need to visit your local animal shelter or Chihuahua breed rescue.
Rescuing a dog won’t encourage breeders to create more sickly dogs. And will give you the great satisfaction of providing a loving home and a second chance to your pet.
Dott M Brackin says
I just lost my best friend. His name was “Goliath” and he lived up to his name. He was 16 years old and followed me everywhere. I would love to get another Chichuahua but a tiny one but I can’t afford to spend an arm and leg. They are to loving.
Abygail Sanchez says
I lost mine this weekend. I feel you.
John bradley says
I understand fully.i lost mine a few months ago and was devastated like never before. Being so small and needing cared for so much it made it seem like a child. He was different than any other dog i ever had. I was way to attached to it, it was never home alone, it went everywhere we did, ever move it was right there interested in whatever I was doing.. . I think I’ll hold off, don’t want to go through that again. It was horrible, no words.
Ginger says
I just read your story of your Chihuahua. I just lost my sweet chi three months ago. I have been crying ever since. From the moment I got until the day she died I had a very difficult time leaving her for any reason. Now I’m so sad, I’m crying as I write this story. I feel like a part of me died with her. I used to sing to her, well I don’t think she thought it was singing. She followed me everywhere and we had some wonderful conversations. I want you to know I totally understand the pain of loss.
Fleur Mcmullin says
I’m interested in female well behaved sweet friendly Chihuahua puppy.
Maximum weight 7 pounds.
ANNIE says
MY WELLY WILL BE 15 YEARS OLD ON OCTOBER 9TH AND I HAVE HAD HER AS A PUPPY , 8 WEEKS OLD . SHE IS A TREASURE . SHE HAS NOT BEEN SICK A DAY , BUT SHE LOST ALL HER TEETH 2 YEARS AGO . I FEED HER TWICE A DAY AND SINCE I’M UNABLE TO WALK ANY DISTANT I TAKE HER TO THE BACKYARD AND LET HER RUN AND PLAY THERE . WE ARE NEVER APART . SHE IS SO FRIENDLY , VERY SMART AND OBEDIENT . WHO COULD ASK FOR MORE ?
Susan says
Tiny dogs are susceptible to predatory Birds be careful.
Addie schroff says
I agree my cat Casey got into a fight with another cat and we had to take her to the vet because she would not eat at all or drink.
Jae says
Sweet as it may be, it does not change the fact that it is severely inbred and extremely cruel Whoever bred him is beyond f*cked up. Thankfully your furbaby landed with a good owner (it sounds like anyways)so hopefully as he gets older you do the right thing and don’t let him suffer unnecessarily.
Greg says
There is technically no such thing as a “teacup” Chihuahua…research it, don’t take my word for it…there are just different sizes of chi’s, some are much larger, and some, like my Bear 🐻, are in the 4-5 lb or even smaller. Unscrupulous breeders charge exorbitant prices for the small chi’s and they might’ve bred small dogs together and got some small dogs in the litter, but again, if you’re paying a huge price for a chi just because it’s tiny, you’re getting hosed. There is no such breed as a Teacup Chihuahua…
Jae says
There’s no such thing as teacup anything. It is a genetic mutation caused by severe inbreeding. Which is why they have so many health issues. Genius.
K.Hodges says
There is no such thing as a “teacup” Chihuahua. They just come in different sizes! Mine is 7lbs.but so adorable and had a mind of his own! I rescued him from SPCA in FLA. 3 years ago and I live him more everyday! He is 7 this year
Pat Smith says
I rescued 2 Chihuahuas who were bonded in their foster home 7.5 years ago. I fell in love over the internet w the female Chihuahuas face. She was bonded w Jiggy a tea cup male Chihuahua and I was asked to take both. At first I hesitated because I had never owned two dogs at the same time, but I said yes! I am so glad I said yes to both dogs. They have had such a great stretch together with us and the “add on “has been such a joy. He has such a personality- he rules everything! He has recently become ill an we are trying to figure it out. We are not sure of his age and his heart is not good and we are going to start with his teeth see what could be his problem. It has been one of the greatest joys of my live to have this little big man! Jiggy has been a gem!! I hope I have him for many years to come! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Jose says
I have two little Girl chihuahuas. One is 12 years old (Maya 4.8lbs) and one is 8 (Amy 5lbs). Both are really gentle and lovable dogs. I have trained them with a pad and also walking them. They sometimes can’t wait for their walk but always make sure to use the pad. Fortunately my pups are in excellent shape but they only eat dry dog food, dog treats (beggin’ strips are their favorite) and a daily hemp vitamin for their bones and joints. They have their food accesible all day so they will be grabbing a pebble or 2 every so often but they have never over eaten. I take them to the vet often and they have always congratulated me for keeping them in great shape and super healthy. They have their daily walks (2 to 3 times a day). Hopefully they will continue in tip top shape and will last 20+ years each.
Romona Alvaro says
How wonderful all breeders owners should have a heart like yours
Jae says
You have standard chihuahuas. No reason to believe they won’t live 18-20+ years. Unfortunately. “Teacup” chihuahuas are so inbred that they are riddled with health issues and don’t live nearly as long as a result. “Teacup” chihuahuas AT BEST live to be about 7-12 years old, with absolutely HORRIBLE suffering in their later years (4-5 years until they pass)
Ron Jurca says
We just recently lost our best friend (teacup) female named Itty Bitty yesterday 11-28-20 of multiple health issues that happened the last two weeks. She was 14 1/2 years old and very active until recently. The BEST dog we ever had, trainable and loveable. She weighed 3 1/2 pounds, black and white short haired. A dog is only as good as its environment set forth for her and do not be afraid of this teacup breed. Really missing now.
Addie schroff says
I’m sorry for your loss she sounds so sweet.
Lora Glover says
I’ve never been a small dog person, but I’m head over heels in love with my rescue (mini, toy, micro, pocket dog) chihuahua. I didn’t know I could care this much for a dog (except Chicas not a dog, she my adorable pocket size baby). I’m scare now that I read this article. Is there any suggestions on preventive measure on the health issues that can develop? And of course I have my vet on speed dial and take her for annual checks about every two weeks (Chica is also very dramatic and it took me several emergency visits to figure that out, I bought my vet his new boat this year). Is there any other suggestions, hints that you veteran chihuahua owners can hook up a novice with? Like what’s the best way to keep my little baby warm, including her feet? She doesn’t like clothes or jackets on her. Thanks for all the future info.
Jose says
For my two teacup chi’s I te do to have a flannel blanket for each. They love to cuddle up in it and will hide under it when it’s cold.
linda hyatt says
my little guy weighs 4 pds 4 ounces and loves to cuddle to me for warmth but he dont like clothes either I to am scared after reading this he just was put on heart pills and pills help get fluid off lungs cause he coughs a lot i rescued him from abusive situation 12 yrs ago and hes the light of my life really cant imagine life without him but here a late he wants me to hold him always and i been crying a lot cause was told they know when they going pass soon and seek more attention from there people so yeah fear im fixing to lose my baby and dont know what ill do it broke me 5 yrs ago to put my little poodle down
melanie says
well, I have the cutest (slightly biased opinion) dog in the world, a 2lb 1 oz. little boy named Pepe le Peau (he looks like a baby skunk!). I’ve had him for 4years and got him from a woman who could no longer care for him and she said he was 5, but I know chi’s tend to live long… People started constantly saying “is that a teacup?” at first Im like “no, its a dog!” but I just googled size of a teacup chi and I guess he is!
He does have the partially exposed(?) fontanel skull but other than that healthy as a horse, thank god because he is the absolute light of my life.
I’ve started googling training videos though because all the behavior issues i’ve read about, we have- he is VERY protective of his person (me), and will attack anyone who gets too close, or comes to the door which needs to be stopped, and is also very scared of bigger dogs; he was bot very well socialized with the 1st owner.
But I think he is just the greatest little guy in the world, and he goes everywhere with me, either in his front-carrier, his stroller, or his bike trailer (except for work, which thankfully is only part time)!
J says
This is a very slanted article clearly not in favour of the breed and not presenting both sides-chihuahuas can be prone to injury and healthy problems IF they aren’t cared for properly, they can be aggressive IF they aren’t socialized properly, they can be difficult to house train IF you don’t keep a routine. Having had chihuahuas my whole life most of them are healthy and robust and live into their late teens if well cared for, its also nonsense that they have to be put out every hour and fed every hour-as pups yes but my adults dogs easily go 6 hours without accidents it’s all about training and they are fed twice daily as adults without issue (the ones with hypoglycaemia are the exceptions not the rule and are rare) if they were fed every hour they’d end up obese and then end up with all sorts of other health complications
Lynette McKone says
I have 2 chi’s: Peanut, 4yrs, m, and Pepper, 2yrs, m.
Peanut is a standard size, short haired, fawn in colour and with the sweetest personality.
Pepper is half the size, black and tan, a long haired bundle of love and mischief. I adore my boys, out of all the dogs I’ve cared for in my 70yrs, these 2 have captured my heart in ways I never thought possible.
Susan Scharf says
We just rescued a 9 year old teacup chihuahua. Very overweight, no teeth, fur falling out, never been to the vet! So even when people pay exorbitant prices for pets, they still don’t take care of them!! Anyway. The vet said it may be thyroid, he did a zillion tests and we’re waiting for the results. I’m going to be very mean now: DON’T BUY ANY DOG/CAT. UNTIL THERE ARE NONE ADOPT ONE (OR 2). Breeders are doing it for the money just as much as puppy mills are but supposedly they are “certified”? BULL$#!T. RESCUE RESCUE RESCUE! Back in the day all our rescues were large mutts. The last 7-8 rescues have been small pure breeds! And designer dogs – don’t get me started. Not only is it insane – they are mutts people – it is NOT to be encourage and often results in sick dogs (& cats too). So please people – you want a small dog? RESCUE! So many reputable rescue sites: local shelters, google breed type with the word rescue. As you can see from my new rescue, just because people shell out big bucks, doesn’t mean they take care of them!
Pat Mallon says
I suggest a vet visit. He should be seeing a vet regularly now for his shots and possible neutering. Don’t wait! If he’s licking his paw he could be in pain.
Sharon says
I’m looking for a small Chihuahua and how much for them
Linda campbell says
I would love a teacup chihuahua I had one that weighed 3pounds I loved her so much I had her for 15 years she died of seizures if you know of any rescue chihuahua I would love another it would be very spoiled I have a hole lot of love to give them thanks and God bless
Elizabeth Pina says
Will I had a Chihuahua and his name was PÀPITO my BABYBOY HE WAS MY LIFE UNTIL SOMEONE KILLED HIM AND I MISS HIM SO MUCH
R.I.P MY SWEET BABYBOY
7-4-12 TO 7-16-19
AM LOOKING TO GET OTHER SO CAN SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASE THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS U ALL
Susan says
chihuahua rescue – google it
Joseph L Hernandez Jr says
My little guy is 6 years old. His name is Manny. He has developed this skin sac on top of his left paw. I find him licking it often. Anyone know what it might be.
Shananigan says
My cat had a similar problem on one of his ears. I took him to the vet after I had been draining it for a few days. She said it was likely die to my Chi and the cat playing rough and that the dog may have hit a lymph node as opposed to a blood vessel as the fluid was completely clear.
She suggested just being patient as it resolved but that I could continue to drain it if it made me feel better. I did, and his 2 perfect upright ears aren’t quite so perfect anymore. The one is a kind of wrinkled up, funky ear.
As a Chi mom, I would suggest getting your vets opinion before doing anything.
Joe says
How often do adult teacup chihuahuas need to eat?
Susan says
I need to know the answer to this question also. We just adopted a 10-year old, Black and Tan, tiny Chihuahua whose former owners are now deceased. I can tell this dog has always been well-loved.
Susan (another one) says
I need to know that too. We just rescued a 9 year old who was NOT well cared for. Not spayed, teeth fell out, fur falling out, overweight.
I am another Susan
Carolyn says
I’m looking for a tiny teacup Chihuahua I have been wanting one for all my for free
Gin says
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A TEACUP CHIHUAHUA OR ANY OTHER TEACUP DOG BREED! HORRIBLE BREEDERS ATTACH THE NAME TEACUP TO GET UNEDUCATED BUYERS TO PURCHASE SMALL UNHEALTHY DOGS.
Susan says
You are so right Gin. People for the most part are ignorant when it comes to dog breeds & the breeding process and all they see is “ooh it’s shiny & new & i want it”, then it gets hard & ends up in my house!
Susan says
IMO you are the exception that proves the rule. My tea cup is the 3rd chihuahua we’ve rescued. The other 2 are not tea cup & 1 has already passed. All 3 I see neglect and we do our best to bring them back to their best health – but little “Cookie” will never have teeth again.
Jo says
Scorpion bite if you are in the desert
Janet says
i have a teacup chihuahua and i wouldn’t trade her for any other dog in the world. she is so very needy for attention, but i still love her. she has lived 12 years and it seems she isn’t done yet. She is still very active and adorable.
Nicole Roberts says
Last year me and my mom rescued a small Chihuahua. We could tell she was not eating right and poorly taken care of. Now she’s healthier then an ox but we are really wondering how can you tell the age of her? She’s really small so im pretty sure she’s a teacup but it’s so hard to tell her age because she is so small. So is there a way to find out?
Susan Johnson says
Usually you look at a dogs teeth for age. A vet can give you a rough estimate. I have rescued & did not know the age. My Vet gave me an estimated age. Check with your Vet.
Linda Escher says
My little 3.2 pound chihuahua was going strong at 11 and 1/2 up untill 7/1/19. My Horse accidently kicked him in the head. He died in my arms. I got rehomed my horse because I have other dogs. Plus when the time is right I want another tiny one. I have four other chihuahua’s and a pit mix/ The chihuahua’s range from 5 pounds to 11 pounds. My pit mix thinks he is one as well.
Debra Davis says
My granddaughter wants a tea cup chihuahua, is there a rescue for them around Harrisburg Hershey PA. She has been talking about this and I am excited to find and get one for her but I now concerned about health.
I wouldn’t want it to be sickly and afraid she might lose it, I understand that anything is possible but I would like to talk about it with you.
Yanet says
I too had a teacup chihuahua, she was the best dog in the world. She passed last month from congestive heart failure. She was 12 years old and weighed 2.4 lbs. She was always healthy. Never took her to vet because she was sick. Only took her for her annual shots and checkup. She was potty trained since she was 9 weeks old. I was blessed to have such a smart loving dog. She was never annoying like they say chihuahua’s are. I miss her so much. It’s going to be hard to live without her.
Renae says
Im sorry to hear of your chihuahua. My 10 1/2 year old teacup just passed away from CHF. I had her on meds and regular dr appointments . Im so lost without her. Did you have yours on meds? How did yours pass?
Toni says
We rescued a ‘teacup’ chihuahua last month (April). We got him 3rd/4th hand as a friend helps rescue/rehome unwanted pets. Story told to lady/us about (now) our lil guy was taken into a bar & people were threatening to shoot him if someone didn’t take him, supposed to be vicious & bitey….needless to say thank goodness for the bar employee who took him & called our lady friend. They could not have been the original owners because he is not vicious nor bitey, he is potty trained, rides well in vehicles, desires to be held like a human baby in the crook of your arm, and is so gentle and mild mannered i was in shock to be honest. We don’t have an accurate age, no shot records etc were provided, was not chipped. We took him to vet as he looks & acts older (perhaps 10-12 yrs old), missing many teeth so tongue sticks out the front like giving raspberries (only makes him look cuter), he does have a class 2 murmur & slight arrhythmia that can be heard with stethoscope, is a very finicky eater (no idea what he was fed previously) and the people that dropped him off were clearly not original owners & were abusive to him. Despite all that & the horrors & viciousness of tiny dogs like him I’ve been around in my lifetime; we decided to rescue & give him his forever home no matter what. We thankfully ended up very blessed & lucky that he clearly knew they were bad people, their loss was indeed our gain. (I have my own thoughts on why many tiny dogs are ‘mean’, put yourself in their place with feet constantly coming at you. Would you be fearful? Also, people must remember they are dogs despite their small size & train them it is very important for both human & dog).
Brenda says
I have a male teacup since he was 3 months old & he is 7 now. We’ve had our ups and downs but I wouldn’t trade him for the world he is my baby. He is by far the best companion dog I’ve ever had in my life and I’ve had quite a few dogs he is very smart and loyal and he has been through hell and back with me. He is my EVERYTHING. He has hypoglycemia & has siezures/episodes because of it. If I notice him having an episode I have Karo syrup readily available to rub on his gums. Now that he’s older he he actually come & jump on me when he feels an episode coming on. He will lick Kayro syrup off my finger tip. As Long As I feed him every three to four hours or approximately three to four times a day his seizures are very minimal and they are manageable. I feed him PetSmart food out of the refrigerator section in the dog food aisle it is like a log of bologna and it is grain-free & it’s high in protein which is very important for hypoglycemic dogs. A high protein diet lessens the episodes cause from hypoglycemia. He is allergic to corn in dog food so he has to eat grain free food. It’s not much more than regular dog food & because he’s a teacup he doesn’t eat that much anyway so it’s very inexpensive to feed him. He barks at every single person that comes in or out the door and he has gotten to where he is starting to attack people when they leave. He isn’t able to cause any harm but still people don’t appreciate it much when any dog but no matter how big or small is attacking them viciously as they’re leaving someone’s residence. We’ve had our ups and downs but it’s typical with all pets. For the pros and cons of it positive things in my life that he has been a part of way out way the negative.
Laurie says
I just got my wonderful little nine week old baby boy. I just read all this information on there health. Now I’m scared to death. I’ve always wanted a small dog. It was love at first sight and I wouldn’t take anything for him. He’s black and white with long hair. He eats and drinks good. He jumps around and chews on everything, even my hand. Has some real sharp teeth. Follows me everywhere and has not meet a stranger yet, meaning he’s excited to see everyone! I just pray I am one of the lucky ones I mean him to on his health and all. We just lost our last little dog Holly in May of last year and our other dog Rio the year before that. They both lived there life in full and they were like our children. We miss them very much. I thought it was time to put all the lost love we have for both of them into another little soul. I just pray we will be able to do that for a long time with Rolly. Named after Rio and Holly.
Charles D. Gelfand says
My Sweetie was 163/4 years old, and I tried my best to keep her alive.
I loved her so much. She went to work with me every day, even long trips by car. One could not ask for a better companion than my Sweetie.
I woke up to find her having seizures and foaming from her mouth.
I rushed to the vet, who sent me to a 24 hour clinic where specialists cared for her for a week, but to no avail.
I miss her so, as she was a loving wonderful member of our family.
If there is a heaven for doggies, I’m sure she’s there, and hopefully we’ll meet again.
Cheryl says
Thanks for some positive words. I had a teacup that lived to be 13 years old. She weighed 3.5 lbs. I am fostering a 4 month old teacup by accident. I was at the rescue with my daughter to save a 4 month old puppy that was going to be put down. This tiny 1.8 oz puppy came home today we have to wait to adopt so she can put on weight. But my heart could not say no. So she came home and i named her Lily. We are going to give it all we got.??
Linda says
I too had a toy he was 15 years old when he passed, when I got him he was so smart he learned how to walk across floor on his hind legs in less than 3 months, potty trained on newspaper real fast, I lost my little boy to heart failure also, he was a big part of my life, I feel so empty inside, he is buried outside my window,
Bobbie says
Well I’m new to this breed I have a 6 month old little girl who is very smart but not with the whole potty training thing .shes a great eater and is very sweet until she is around other dogs who come to close to her Territory which is a problem because she thinks everything has her territory Only had a month so far so wish me luck as you love her very much even though my Maltese who is the love of my life is extremely jealous
Susan C Zitzler says
The lady next door give me a 2 to 3 month old puppy I think he’s a toy Chihuahua or the runt of the Chihuahua breed.he has his teeth and also I’m guessing he is two to three months old I’m not sure. He was either lost or dumped in this park. Lady next door found in she can’t keep him I have dogs so I told her I would take him. I have been a giant plastic container because she’s so small with no lid on. He has a nice clean towel in there and a toy to snuggle with a very small bowl of water. I feed him every couple of hours when he wakes up about a tablespoon of canned dog food anything more than that he won’t eat.I can give him a couple of pieces of dry dog foods that are very small that he can snack on to because he does have teeth. He is a very smart little boy so fast and energetic jumping around and playing in wild and crazy.I keep them in the container with some paper towels one end and is sleeping area at the other and a bowl of water very small bowl of water. I take him out whenever he wakes up let him run around after he’s eaten and pooped in his container on the paper towels and peed too.I have shown him my doggy door that my other dog’s use and pushed him out through the door 2 * only and he knows how to go out. One day I took him outside and he was in the yard with the other dogs and I went to look for him I couldn’t find him he had gone to the doggie door and gone inside and I never even showed him how to go inside the door but he watched the other dogs that I have go inside and he followed them.he has so smart I figured I can get him trained to go in and out the doggie door and potty outside pretty quickly if I just get him up in the morning and after he’s eaten put him outside like they suggest on a website. I think I will be able to get him trained really quickly and go outside once I get him a little crate to be in and he can run in and out on his own.
Becky says
I just was given a tea cup and love love love him! He needed a home and I needed him just as much!
He is super smart and has learned his name in one day and in 3 days has only had two accidents which was our fault.
I am excited to have him in my life for a long time.
And if that means vets then that is what it is!
We have a golden who loves him and a terrier who thinks he is something to stare at.
Our cats which are 5to7+ larger then he is all love him and even lets him chew on them
Ladonna says
I just got me a teacup solo he is 13 weeks now all white long hair he is to cute
Sharon says
I had a teacup chihuahua for 15 years. He died from congestive heart failure, never having heart disease. He was a terrific eater and was great with people and small dogs. Very smart! He was an absolute treasure. Perhaps, I was just lucky I had such a gem.
Heidi says
I have a 6 1/2″year old male 4lb chihuahua. He’s potty trained and holds it well. He is a sweet cuddly quiet dog. He has been very healthy so far. He came to me via a rescue when he was 9 months old so i know nothing about his genetics. He is very obedient and well mannered.
Anne says
My daughter has a 14 yr old who has been very heathy. He is now losing some of his site. But overall, he has bern a wonderful dog