The "Teacup" Term - There Is No Such Thing!

[Wylie's Mom]

It's considered incorrect and unethical to use the term "teacup" when describing yorkies, as there is no such thing. Please read below to educate yourself about this term, the damage it has done to breeds, and why we should never use it. And please, educate others !

Reasons the term "teacup" is inappropriate:

- Used as marketing term by unscrupulous, unethical breeders

- No such thing as the “teacup” category in dogs; it’s an invented marketing term

- Causes unethical breeders to skyrocket their prices for their special “teacup” dogs

- Makes buyers think that breeders can predict or guarantee adult size of dogs, which is IMPOSSIBLE - this is a lie!

- Has resulted in unethical breeders trying to breed for “tinies”, which can have devastating health results

- Has resulted in unhealthy in-breeding and over-breeding

- Has resulted in an increase in internet sales for these supposed “special” yorkies, which don’t actually exist as a category within the yorkie breed

- Has created widespread misinformation that “teacup” is an actual accurate term

- Has created a desire for tinier and tinier and tinier dogs

- Common health issues in so called teacup puppies include things like liver shunts, hypoglycemia, heart problems, open soft spots on the skull, collapsing trachea, seizures, respiratory problems, digestive problems, blindness, and the list goes on.

- Teacup puppies, because they are so small and frail, are also prone to breaking bones even while preforming normal activities (such as jumping, playing, or running) that would present little to no danger to a normal puppy.

[Wylie's Mom]

The teacup myth

(article from HERE)

"I'm looking for a teacup"...."Tiny toy teacups for sale!" I felt it was time to address the myths and risks of the teacup dog. While the idea of a tiny companion is seductive (especially if you have met 'pocket' size canines belonging to others) it would be wise to do some serious research on your chosen breed and it's ideal sizes and on the potential health risks for a dog deliberately bred to be extremely smaller (or larger) than it was meant to be. They can be extremely hard to care for and many die suddenly and at a young age despite the best of care.

What is a "teacup" dog?

Well, actually it's more of a marketing term or gimmick. Some breeders or retailers use this term to indicate an individual of extremely tiny size, most often 1-4 pounds as adults. Typically it's in association with breeds such as Maltese, Poodles, Yorkies, and other toy breeds but they are not TEACUP breeds, and none of the standards provide for such a 'variety'.

How do they get those tiny dogs?

There aren't any perfect guarantees. Period. Size is determined by a number of factors: Genetics (parents, grandparents. etc.) as well as being affected by environment (nutrition, medical care, etc.). Genetic contribution by the parents is 50/50 (NO - the male is NOT genetically "stronger" then the female. High school biology should have taught you that) and the parent's parents also contribute. Wonder why your puppy has a curly tail and his parent's have straight tails? Look to the grandparents (or maybe even further back). Same goes for size.

Those 'teacup' puppies you see may genuinely grow up to be tiny...or they may have falsified papers indicating they are older they they really are (and won't you have a surprise when your 'puppy' suddenly grows, well, BIG?). The thing is, even the runt often catches up to his sibling and grows into a normal size adult. So even a "tiny" puppy won't necessarily grow into a 'tiny' adult. Most often, those that deliberately market "teacups" are also breeding from pet or unknown lines, or worse buying from puppy mills with even LESS care about these puppies and haven't done the research needed to know a pedigree. They simply put two "small" adults together and sell the offspring as 'teacup'....again, what a surprise for the new owner when their 'teacup' puppy is now a perfectly normal 10 pounds or so! NO person - breeder, pet store worker, etc. - can guarantee a size. A knowledgeable breeder may be able to give you a sound and reasonably accurate estimate of size range based on knowledge of pedigree, the parents, the breed, etc. But until a dog is mature (as late as 24 months) there is no way to give you a 100% guarantee of size. Remember that when someone tells you they 'guarantee' it will be a teacup - they also know if it grows too big you're probably too attached to give it back in order to get your refund or replacement.

Health risks they face...

Exceptionally tiny individuals face a number of health risks based on their size alone.

--Fragility results in easily broken bones, especially legs, when they jump off a piece of furniture or a lap. There have been cases of bones simply shattering on impact in the course of normal playing, tumbling around on the floor or yard, or being held too firmly. One adult was routinely carried in the owner's pocket and caught a leg on the pocket, breaking it from relatively minor force.
--Often a 'teacup' dog's mouth is simply not big enough to accommodate all it's adult teeth and problems arise with crowded teeth, deteriorating adult teeth, etc.
--Internal organs may not be fully or adequately developed.
--One of the biggest problems with any tiny is that they expend so much energy simply trying to keep their own body temperature normal, that they can't consume enough calories to fuel their own body and essentially starve to death despite proper feeding. They require careful care and monitoring because they often simply can't maintain a healthy body temperature.
--Tinies may have problems regulating their own blood sugar.
--A simple case of diarrhea can kill a teacup since it dehydrates so quickly, and will most likely cost a minimum of a trip to the vet.
--It is not uncommon for a teacup to die at a very young age, even with an owner who takes the best of care. (Of course those that make a living selling these dogs aren't too bothered since this certainly opens up the market for them to sell you another one!).
--- Common health issues in so called teacup puppies include things like liver shunts, hypoglycemia, heart problems, open soft spots on the skull, collapsing trachea, seizures, respiratory problems, digestive problems, blindness, and the list goes on.

Small size equals big purchase price!!

Just in case the risks aren't enough, the final insult is the exceptionally high prices that are often tagged on these diminutive babies. Dubbed "designer dogs", their price tags are typically FAR in excess of a price of a normal, healthy, well bred puppy from a reputable breeder. Some sellers require hefty deposits that equal the entire costs of another puppy! It is not uncommon to see price tags in the $2000.00-$3000.00 range.

But I really want the smallest individual I can get...

Be very sure you're willing to take on the necessary care required. Are you going to be able to protect it from accidents? Provide adequate warmth, food, vet care? Have you educated yourself on the risks involved and are willing to take that chance that something could happen?

First consider smaller breeds (such as the Chihuahua) that are normally very small compared to most other breeds. Don't expect a breed that is normally 10 pounds or more to be "teacup" size. Read the standards set forth by the parent club for your breed (they can be found on AKC and UKC websites) and know what a normal size range is.

Then find a reputable breeder and talk to them. It may be that a smaller adult (but not a teacup) would suit you fine. Many people have misconceptions about what 5 or 6 pounds looks like. If you must have a tiny, the only way to guarantee a size is to get an adult. And any breeder who gives a hoot about his/her puppies will NOT be letting that tiny out the door at 6 weeks, or even maybe 8, 10 weeks or more. Make sure the breeder can provide genetic screening information (such as patellas, hips, etc.....find out what is typical for your chosen breed). Make sure they can provide a well researched pedigree and a sound contract that protects the PUPPY and you, not just the breeder.

There are so many terms to try to dupe the unsuspecting public into putting out money. Teacup/tea cup/tcup/t-cup, Micro-Teacup, Micro-Mini, Toy are just a few terms to sell non-standard representatives of the breed to the unsuspecting general public.

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[Wylie's Mom]

{Continued from above...}

Some breed standard information on a few of the toy breeds that fall subject to the Teacup myth...

Yorkshire Terriers-

No one on this earth has a "teacup" Yorkshire Terrier because no such classification exists. Let me clarify. The official breed standard for the Yorkshire terrier calls for adult Yorkies to have a weight of no more than seven (7) pounds.

To be exact, the breed standard states: "Weight: Must not exceed seven pounds." This definition was approved on April 12, 1966. To review the breed standard for Yorkshire terriers, click here.

Why then, you may ask, do so many breeders advertise teacup Yorkies?

There are only two reasons:

--Fraud

Some unscrupulous breeders advertise teacup Yorkies to take advantage of those people who are not very familiar with Yorkies. By telling someone that they are getting a "teacup", they make the buyer feel that they are getting something special (as if one get much more special than a Yorkie at all:-)). Beware, many of these people also advertise "toy" and or "standard" Yorkies with weights up to 10 or 12 pounds. As stated above, a standard Yorkshire terrier must weigh no more than 7 pounds.

--Ignorance

Sadly, there are people out there breeding Yorkshire terriers who simply aren't knowledgeable enough about Yorkies to know that there is no such thing as a "teacup". One can only image their general breed knowledge and the quality of their puppies.

I was told of a breeder recently who has Yorkies weighing less than two(!!) pounds all the time. The smallest dog in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, was a Chihuahua who weighed just under 2 pounds at 1 lb. 14 oz. For someone to claim that they regularly have adult dogs weighing less than 2 pounds is a stretch to say the least.

On average, Yorkshire terriers weigh between 5 and 7 pounds as adults. There are, of course, smaller Yorkies born that will weigh less. Most Yorkshire terriers that you see participating in the show ring tend to be 5 to 7 pounds. A dog weighing 3 to 4 pounds is considered very small and often requires special care. Dogs this small should not be handled by children expect under strictly controlled conditions. Children are clumsy by nature--not intentionally--and dogs weighing less than 4 pounds are fragile, with easily broken bones

Maltese-

The Maltese is a "toy dog". They are small already. The American Maltese breed standard states "Seven(7) pounds and under, with four(4) to six(6) pounds preferred". I guarantee that the lower end of the weight scale Maltese is quite tiny. There are people who even breed these "tiny" Maltese (which in all rights should be someone’s lap warmer) hoping to produce more tiny Maltese so that they can sell them as "teacup/tea cup/tcup/t-cup" size and charge lots of money for them. This, in my opinion, as well as many others’ opinions, is unethical and wrong. My heart goes out to the poor little dogs being used in this manner!!!! On many occasions I have heard of a "teacup/tea cup/tcup/t-cup Maltese" being eight or nine pounds and even larger, which is above our national weight standard according to the AKC Maltese standard. Just another con using a glitzy sales term to sale a dog. This is sooo sad!

Chihuahuas-

The official A.K.C. Breed Standard describes the Chihuahua as a small dog that comes in two varieties or coat types. The difference in coat type (the Long Coat or the Smooth Coat) is the only official description used to identify a difference within this breed. Our Standard does not categorize the Chihuahua by size. For the purpose of showing and record keeping, the American Kennel Club includes the Chihuahua (along with 16 other breeds) in the Toy Group. Therefore, irrespective of their weight or physical stature, ALL Chihuahuas registered with A.K.C. are considered to be a toy breed of dog. As with all living things, there will be a size variance between individual dogs within this breed. They are Chihuahuas-Long Coat/Smooth Coat, Male/Female. Unfortunately, the additional adjectives used to describe the size difference and physical appearances are many; and have been misused for so long they now seem legitimate. Teacup, Pocket Size, Tiny Toy, Miniature or Standard - are just a few of the many tags and labels that have been attached to this breed over the years. The use of these terms is incorrect and misleading. Occasionally, within a litter, there may be a puppy that is unusually small. That puppy is a SMALL CHIHUAHUA and any other breakdown in description is not correct.

There is no such thing as a "teacup Chihuahua" or a "miniature Chihuahua" or a "pocket Chihuahua”. Unknowledgeable buyer’s use this phrase when looking to purchase a (what size?) Chihuahua. Please be clear about what size you want, teacup does not describe anything. That term is in the eyes of the beholder and since there is no true definition for “teacup” you may be taken advantage of. Some breeders use these cute phrases as marketing tools to describe the different sizes that Chihuahua's come in, but these are all incorrect. Knowledgeable breeders will NOT use that term. A breeder trying to take advantage of the public may describe any Chihuahua as a “teacup” and will they be wrong?

Article from here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/hair-...0941996500177/