For those interested in "teacups"
 

Hi, I just thought I would shed some light on a somewhat touchy subject that a lot of people might not know about! Most here do I'm sure, but in case anyone was looking to purchase the ever-so-popular "teacup" Yorkie, OR purchase from a breeder who advertises "teacups", please read!

The term widely used describing some Yorkshire Terriers as Tea Cups is NOT a term that reputable breeders use. There is NO SUCH THING as a teacup Yorkshire Terrier! These are terms that certain breeders use to increase interest in their dogs (and most always the price).

It seems as though there is a plethora of people who are insistent on buying tiny puppies in the 2 to 4 pound range. Also commonly referred to as a "Teacup puppy". The word "Teacup" has been used to merely describe the size of a puppy, meaning it is very small and will probably be under the standard size which is 4 to 7 pounds for the Toy Group, Yorkshire Terrier breed. We cannot imagine anyone wanting anything smaller than that!

Many breeders, while tacking a whooping price on a puppy, "claim" to breed so called "teacups" as if they were a breed all their own. Don't be fooled! They are not a breed all their own. If a breeder says they specialize in "teacups," RUN, RUN, RUN for the hills! Most "TEACUP" puppies are in reality, a premature puppy.

Some of the health problems that may be encountered are both genetic and congenital in these tiny babies and the list is a long one. The risk of open fontanels, portosystemic shunts (PSS), hypoglycemia, cardiac problems, collapsing trachea, luxating patellas, Leggs Calves Perthes disease, seizures, hydroencephaly, blindness and digestive problems can be increased in these
tiny babies.

Problems such as respiratory problems can remain or worsen throughout their lives. These babies frequently are so fragile that they do not live more than a few years. So called "Teacups" fetch anything from $1000 to $10,000! This is ridiculous and shameful! There are a lot of chronically unhealthy puppies because unscrupulous breeders and puppy mills are inbreeding. Some poor darlings only live for a very, very short time!

They take the little teeny tiny Yorkies and they breed 2 1/2 pounders with 3 pounders ... well they’re playing with genetics. You should NEVER breed a female of any breed less than 5 pounds.

PLEASE educate yourselves before buying a tiny puppy whether it is a Yorkie or any other breed. You could be in for months or years of heartbreak not to mention staggering veterinarian bills!

Thanks for reading, this information came from this website:

The Tea Cup Phenomenon ... a MUST read!

I'm glad you posted this. Harls is about 2.7 lbs at 6 months and it is unlikely she will break the 3lbs mark. When strangers see her, they always ask if she is a teacup. This drives me crazy.

However, I do have one clarification. The AKC standard is "must not exceed 7 pounds." Which means, the standard weight for a Yorkie is 7 lbs and under, not 4-7 pounds.

We all have seen these kind of posts before. I agree people are just trying to make more money. Glad you posted this to remind everyone. Thanks

Thank you for this post. I only wish I had learned more before I made my purchase..not that I regret getting my KiKi...
She was advertised as a "tea cup" Yorkie and well in my ignorance...I thought this was a type of Yorkie...
KiKi who is 2.4 lbs at 8 months is the product of parents who were 4lbs each...so I guess that makes KiKi a runt?
I get asked all the time ...is that a teacup? Where can I get a tea cup? And because of all the great YT people and information I have learned ....I can now educate others...no such thing! Thanks everyone!

Jewels was supposed to be a teacup. She was only 12 oz when I bought her home. She grew to 6lbs though and for a short while I was disaapointed because I really wanted a tiny yorkie. I read stores on here about little ones getting hurt or being sick and it made me realize I was lucky she got her size. She is sturdy and healthy and I am glad. I dont begrudge anyone that wants a smaller one though and I think the tinies need good homes also so they are lucky when they get an owner that has an appropriate household to raise them in.

I know what you are saying...;)

I wanted a smaller sized yorkie, say around the 4lbs..Pixie didn't get as big as I would have liked her to..she's under 3lbs at 13 months, she had one sibling, a brother, who was twice her size! so i guess you could say she was the 'runt'?:eek:..luckily she is healthy & strong..and verrrrryy feisty! she rules this house i'm not ashamed to say..:p I get asked if she is a teacup all the time..she attracts attention everywhere we go..good & bad.:rolleyes:
I agree..the smaller ones do take extra special care..you need to be vigilant around the house as well as outside...people probably see me as over protective & paranoid but i'm constantly aware of the dangers of having such a little one around..I have to be on my guard at all times..but i love her dearly..she is my little ray of sunshine and lights up my life.:)

:cool: some see me the same way....protective & paranoid, but when the fur butts are this little...you have to be:). When we are out for a walk or at the park and I see a dog off it's leash (which totally peeves me off:mad:) I pick her up right away...it only takes a few seconds for a dog to make it's way to a little one and who knows what could happen. I would rather be safe than sorry!!
People see these little one's and think AWWW so cute...and they are....but they also require special care and lots of attention and I let them know this as well.
I have wanted a small Yorkie for many years and I am overjoyed with my KiKi...I have the time and dedication to provide her with what she needs.

My kids tell me that I basically had another child...this one just has fur:D

I guess they are right:p

Pebbles is 2.8 pounds and she is a almost 7 1/2 months. I was so proud of myself when the other day someone asked me if she was a teacup and I said "well, they come in all sizes, shes just small." and they nodded their head.. yayyy for mee.. :D

:p I like that answer....I am going to use it too! Thanks! It's funny how much people just ohhh and awww over these little fur butts...I just got a basket for my bike last night and took KiKi for a ride and it was funny listening to people walking and on bikes and in cars...saying ohhhh look at the little puppy!!:animal36 They are quite shocked to find out she is 8 months old!:D KiKi loves the attention...thank goodness:p

i get asked this alllll the time. it really pisses me off!!! abby is 6 months and 3.3 lbs (she got weighed 2 weeks ago during her spay but she seems heavier now :rolleyes:) Anyway, cud u believe that even the girls at my vet have asked me that!!!! its like ummmm u work with dogs and u dont no better??? its crazy i just say noooo shes just really small

do u think u can post a pic of the bike ride. i wanna get a bike too but im not sure what kind wud fit a basket the best. i was thinking a mountain bike but im not sure ???

you sound like me..LOl:p
I have one son aged nearly 14..Pixie is my new baby..I fuss over her constantly..she's the 'daughter' I never had! lol:p
I too am totally besotted with my Pixie..she's all i ever wanted in a Yorkie and I too have the time to give her exactly what she needs...even though she is hard work I love every second of it.:)

:( I do not have my camera at the moment...had to send back to Kodak for repair:( Waiting "patiently" for it to be returned

But I have a mountain bike - mens style and the basket I have is a wire basket...it's black with a handle...came with the bracket to instal and has a quick release button... I purchased this at Canadian Tire (you might be able to see this online Canadian Tire) (enter N8S 4M5 for the postal code to allow you to look at the items)

I really love the basket...I just put a blanket in the bottom and tied a tether to the basket and hooked the tether to KiKi harness and away we went.

Hope you can find one!

This is the item at Canadian Tire:
Super Cycle Front Wire Basket
Product #73-0931-0

Under Carriers and bags

:D tee hee...I know what you mean...I am totally "head over heals in love" with my little KiKi and she is everything to me!:p (I think my hubby is a little jealous - although he is coo coo for cocoa puffs for her too!):p

AMEN.
Why do people walk their dogs around with no leash? Especially in the city!!!!
What's up with this?!? Are these people just trying to prove that they have so much control over their dog that they can walk them with no leash?
I live in a big dog neighborhood as well and Toby loves dogs and people... he's so friendly he wants to meet EVERYONE... but there are dogs with no leashes, and they are big.... it's been scary at times, but luckily there hasn't been any mishaps as of yet. *knocks on wood*

Thanks for the post.. It's great to educate about the teacup sizing... there are even dog merchandise websites with "teacup" in the name and I would have to agree that it's a big marketing technique.. It's like the word "organic" these days.... I'm all for organic, but some companies have really gone overboard with it.

xoxMolly&Tobersxox

Thanks everyone!
 

Thanks everyone for the good responses! Just wanted to let anyone who was unaware of the dangers of "teacups" and "teacup" breeders! :) Luckily I never purchased a "teacup" but a few years ago, I wouldn't have known any different! I wish someone would have told me the dangers, just to be educated. Thanks again for reading!

And about the dog owners who keep their dogs off leashes.. I hate that so much! I was at a public park and I was walking Gizmo (we were minding our own business) and here comes this little terrier mix, like twice the size of Gizmo, CHARGING at him like a football player :eek: So I scooped Gizmo up and of course he was defensively yapping at the dog. I see the dog owner from afar, and hes like on his cell phone or something and just gives a wave like "oops!" :rolleyes: He calls his dog over, but of course he ignores him.. All the while this mutt is trying to eat my baby! What an annoyance :mad: I didn't really know what to do other than wait for the irresponsible owner to take his time, walk over, and pick his dog up (STILL not leashing him!) ughhhh I told him to keep his dog on a leash, and that he could have injured MY dog. Of course he ignored me :rolleyes: But I was very annoyed and our nice bonding walk-time was pretty much ruined.

:eek: People who let their dogs off their leashes are "jerks" in my book!
Happened again last night...I just got to the Park..and KiKi is walking with me and this lady who was walking her black lab...lets her dog off the leash not even 50 ft from ME!! I could not believe it! :eek:I told her that her dog belonged on a leash..she said he wont hurt anyone! URGGGG!

Ha! Not hurt anyone, irresponsible dog owner on the loose! :rolleyes:When that happens to me, I just wanna yell at them saying how careless it is to let dogs roam free without a leash. The dangers are endless! I'm even unsure to leave Gizmo off his leash in our fenced-in backyard for fear he might sneak bewtween the gate and fence! Maybe I am just over protective haha. But better to be over protective I think than totally careless.:thumbup:

yeah, i have a neighbor that has this huge mean dog that they keep ON THEIR FRONT LAWN, without a leash.. I cannot walk by that house without that dog trying to kill me or my baby. They are always running out going sorry sorry and dragging him back... WHY DONT THEY JUST LEASH THAT THING?!!?!

I agree that the term teacup can be really different depending on who you purchase from though.

I know that I bought McKenzie who was listed as a "teacup", I did ask the breeder why she used that term and she said she's always used it since she began breeding many years ago and doesn't see a need to change it now.

Mckenzie was about 1.5 lbs when I bought her and is now a healthy 4.5 lbs at just a bit over a year.

I do know what you mean though about some breeders using it to rake in more money, but I think some just use it w/o being malicious. JMO :)

I agree. Most people just use it to define size. I dont have a problem with anyone that uses the term