There are a few teacup dog breeds that are known for being small. In addition to the Teacup Yorkie, there is also the Teacup Poodle and the Teacup Maltese. In terms of height and weight, the Teacup Chihuahua is one of the smallest breeds! The Teacup Chihuahua was created by breeding the tiniest Chihuahuas from each standard-sized litter. They make excellent travel companions and are easy to care for, so they are great for first-time owners.

Discover everything you need to know about this tiny dog and whether it might be the right addition to your home!

History of the Teacup Chihuahua

The Teacup Chihuahua is the perfect companion that fits right into your handbag. Chihuahuas are constantly gaining popularity because of their popularity in the media and with celebrities.

The Teacup Chihuahua is not a distinct breed from the standard Chihuahua, so their history is the same. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the standard in 1904 and the Chihuahua Club of America recognized them as the first official dogs. Currently, they are ranked 33rd out of 193 recognized dog breeds.

Despite being a micro or mini-sized Chihuahua, the Teacup isn’t recognized as a breed by any Kennel Club. These dogs are bred by selectively breeding the smallest pups from Chihuahua litters.

Breed Origin of Teacup Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are believed to have descended from the Techichi breed in the 9th century. A strong connection was established between this breed and the Mayans from Central America, who believed that the Techichi breed guarded the afterlife.

In Mexico, the Chihuahua dog as we know it today didn’t appear until around 1850. The state of Chihuahua is located in Mexico. Around 1884, these dogs were brought to the United States.

Characteristics of the Teacup Chihuahua

The litter size of teacup Chihuahua puppies usually ranges from one to three puppies. Veterinary caesarian sections are often performed on them because of their tiny size. The price of these Teacup dogs can range from $500 to $2,000. Considering their popularity, it is always a good idea to buy from a reputable breeder.

Appearance of Teacup Chihuahua

Chihuahua teacups look exactly like standard Chihuahuas, except for their tiny size! Even though they weigh less than 3 pounds and stand less than 6 inches tall, these dogs have all the adorable features of a Chihuahua, including the apple head and big eyes. The ears of these animals are large and sit erect on top of their heads.

Coat

Long coats and short coats are available for Teacup Chihuahuas. It is believed that the longer coat of the Chihuahua was introduced later after the Chihuahua crossed with other small long-haired dogs.

Short-coated Chihuahuas have a smooth and shiny coat that is easy to maintain, while long-coated Chihuahuas have wavy to straight hair that can be slightly more challenging to care for. Later on, we’ll discuss grooming in more detail.

Chihuahuas have a single coat, so they can feel the cold. Because Teacups are so small, this is especially true. In a cold climate, they will often shiver, so keep this in mind!

Color

As with the standard Chihuahua, the Toy Chihuahua comes in a variety of colors. These include black, chocolate, sable, white, gold, tan, fawn, red, brown, cream, merle, and silver. Coats can either be one color or have many different markings.

Temperament of Teacup Chihuahua

As with the standard Chihuahua, the Teacup Chihuahua has the same personality. They love their people and enjoy their attention! Lapdogs like to be with you and don’t like to be left alone. If you leave them alone for too long, they may suffer from separation anxiety, so if you are frequently out for many hours at a time, you may want to reconsider getting one. These tiny dogs can also travel with you since they are small enough to fit in your purse.

Chihuahuas love to play and are a fun-loving breed. Their possessiveness and protectiveness over their owners and their belongings can cause them to be feisty at times. However, this can be corrected with training and socialization from a young age.

Due to their small size, they can also appear aggressive. It’s important to note that they are not aggressive and do not have a prey drive. Especially against larger dogs, they just want to protect themselves! It is possible to train them out of this with the right socialization.

Lifespan of Teacup Chihuahua

Unlike the standard Chihuahua, the Teacup Chihuahua has a shorter life expectancy. It is estimated that an average Teacup will live between seven and twelve years, as opposed to 18 years for a standard.

Known Health Issues of Teacup Chihuahua

While the Teacup Chihuahua has a relatively long life expectancy, it can suffer from the same health problems as other Chihuahua sizes.

• Patellar luxation occurs when the patella is not aligned properly in smaller dogs– A lame leg or an abnormal gait can result from this.
• Hypoglycaemia — this is low blood sugar. Keeping your Chihuahua’s blood sugar levels up can be achieved by feeding them several times a day.
• Heart Disease — Teacups are very susceptible to this disease. Exercise and obesity can prevent heart disease.
• Corneal Dystrophy — a condition in which a clear film develops on the eyelid, resulting in vision impairment. It can be treated with eye drops, antibiotics, or surgery if necessary.
• Cold Weather — thanks to their tiny bodies, they are very susceptible to the cold. If you live in a cooler climate, make sure they have a sweater.

Maintaining regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will help you catch any issues before they become untreatable.

Daily Life of Teacup Chihuahua

After learning all about the Teacup Chihuahua dog’s traits and characteristics, let’s take a look at what living with one on a day-to-day basis is really like. As a result, they are great for first-time dog owners since they are low maintenance and do not require a lot of care! We will discuss their food and diet, their exercise requirements, and their grooming requirements below.

Food and Diet of Teacup Chihuahua

Toy Chihuahuas require around 40 calories a day per pound of body-weight of food. A cup of food equates to approximately 150 calories a day. It’s always a good idea to check the back of the food packet to see how much you should be feeding your pup based on their weight.

Make sure your Teacup is getting all the nutrients it needs from the food you feed it. A kibble formulated specifically for small or toy dogs was also recommended.

As Chihuahuas are known to gain weight easily, make sure you don’t overfeed them and keep the treats to a minimum. To prevent hypoglycemia, their food should be divided into at least two meals a day.

Best Dog Food for the Teacup Chihuahua

Nutro’s dry dog food is recommended for Teacup Chihuahuas. The kibble pieces are small so your dog can easily chew and swallow this food. It is specially formulated for small and toy breeds.

Your dog will maintain strong and lean muscles throughout their adult life with this food’s chicken, lamb, and salmon proteins. A healthy coat and a shiny coat are also benefits of adding fruits and vegetables to your pup’s diet. There are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in this food.

Exercise

Teacup Chihuahuas are active breeds with high energy levels despite their small size. Their size, however, can often lead them to overexert themselves and tire themselves out, resulting in them overexerting themselves. Because of this, you should only exercise them for around 20 minutes a day. It can be unhealthy for their bodies if they consume more than this.

Chihuahuas are playful dogs, so you should definitely give them some toys to keep them occupied. Bonding with them and showing them that you love them can also be achieved through playing with them. Plus, they love attention!

Family Compatibility

Teacup Chihuahuas are great companion dogs because they love attention. Despite their love for their owners, they dislike strangers despite their desire to be with them. It’s imperative to socialize with your dog from a young age since it may become yappy and bark when threatened. Despite this, they can make great guard dogs or watchdogs!

Other animals, especially other dogs, can also frighten these tiny dogs. Because of their size, they usually feel threatened, which is understandable! In order to learn how to behave around other animals, socialization is crucial.

However, the Teacup Chihuahua is a great dog for children! Due to their small size, teacup breeds are delicate, making them suitable for small children, but they love to play and will want to join in on the fun.

Chihuahuas don’t require a lot of space, so they are excellent pets for small apartments and homes. They also don’t need a large yard since they don’t require many exercises. As a result of their low maintenance needs, Chihuahuas make great first dogs for families, as long as you can dedicate time to training them and lots of attention to them!

Training of Teacup Chihuahua

When training these dogs, patience, and perseverance are very important as both the Chihuahua and the Teacup Chihuahua can be stubborn. Training these small dogs with rewards and positive reinforcement works best for them. In addition to verbal praise, treats can also be given. Teacup Chihuahuas will not learn if you get angry or annoyed with them.

Socializing

Due to their size, Teacup Chihuahuas can be very wary of strangers and other animals, so socialization is very important. Teacups can feel threatened by others, which may cause them to bark to express their feelings.

Even though Chihuahuas can get along with other pets, they will need to be introduced properly otherwise, they may assert dominance.

Teacup Chihuahuas should be introduced to different sights, sounds, places, smells, people,, and animals in a safe and controlled manner to ensure they learn there is nothing to fear. They will become well-rounded and well-mannered as a result!

Grooming

Teacup Chihuahuas do not require extensive grooming, and their coat will determine how often they are groomed. A long-haired Chihuahua should be groomed more often than a short-haired Chihuahua, but still only twice or three times a week. Your long-haired Chihuahua’s fur can become matted and tangled if you don’t brush it often enough.

Every 1 to 2 months, you should bathe your Teacup Chihuahua. Use only dog shampoo to avoid irritating their skin. Keeping their nails trimmed and brushing their teeth regularly is also imperative. Dental decay and disease can be prevented with this method.

Conclusion

Chihuahuas of the smallest size were bred into this breed. Even if you don’t have a lot of space, these little dogs still have great personalities and will keep you entertained! With low care needs, the Teacup Chihuahua is an ideal first pet for those without previous dog experience.

As long as you have plenty of love to give and time to spend with these puppies, they can be the perfect pup as long as you’re willing to give them attention and time. Are Teacup Chihuahuas right for you?

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