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Teacup
Chihuahuas
This page is dedicated
to educating the public. So many people are looking for a "teacup" Chihuahua these days. Here at WeeChis we consider
the term teacup to be a descriptive term given to any puppy that is charting 3.5lbs and under full grown. Every breeder will
tell you something different so it is important to know what they consider "teacup" if they accept the term at all.
All chihuahuas are supposed to weigh between 2-6lbs when fully matured at 2yrs of age, however size isn't something you can
guarantee on a young puppy. If a breeder guarantee's you that a puppy will stay a certain size, run for the hills. It
is impossible to do so. Any good breeder will tell you that. All a breeder can do is tell you their best guess or what a puppy
is charted to be. Your puppy may be bigger or smaller or exactly what they quoted, but there is no way to be absolutely
sure on size, unless you buy a much older puppy or an adult. The best way to be sure you are getting something small
is to buy an older puppy. We only sell "teacup" puppies after 3.5-4mo of age or in some cases much older. It
is best for a tiny puppy to stay where it's comfortable, where it has its needs met and is able to grow stronger,
this is also best for the prospective buyer. There are so many things that can go wrong with extremely tiny puppies and
I do not want my babies or my clients to endure such challenges. This is why I will not sell a "teacup" to anyone
until they are in my mind old enough/large enough to survive the stress of going to a new home. So do not ask me to release
one of my tinies before the age of 3.5-4mo it will not happen!!
The Myth Of The Teacup Chihuahua
Sponsored by The Chihuahua Club of America
The official A.K.C. Breed Standard
describes the Chihuahua as a small dog that comes in two varieties or coats types. The differences 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 17 other breeds) in the Toy Group. Therefore,
irrespective of their weight or physical stature, ALL Chihuahua 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. Look within the human family - brothers and sisters will differ in height and in weight, as well as
other physical attributes. They are described as humans, male or female, and there is seldom if ever a need to break the description
down further. The same holds true in regard to the Chihuahua; they are Chihuahuas-Long Coat/Smooth Coat, Male/Female.
Unfortunately,
the additional adjectives used to describe the size differences and physical appearances are many; and have been misused for
so long they now seem legitimate. Tea-Cup, 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 Chihuahua Club of America is concerned that these
terms may be used to entice prospective buyers into thinking that puppies described in this way are of greater monetary value.
They are not; the use of these terms is incorrect and misleading.
Occasionally, within a litter,
there may be a puppy that is unusually small. That pup is a small Chihuahua and any other breakdown in description is not
correct. To attach any of these additional labels to a particular pup is to misrepresent that animal as something that is
rare or exceptional and causes a great deal of confusion among those new fanciers who are looking for a Chihuahua.
The
Chihuahua Club of America does not endorse or condone the use of any of these terms and would caution the perspective puppy
buyer not to be misled by them. We recognize that many Chihuahua fanciers do want the very small puppy. While they are adorable,
and can be perfectly healthy, the buyer should be cautioned as to the extra care that may be required with regard to the general
health and well-being.
The TEACUP puppy is, in reality, a premature puppy. Most females are bred
on the ninth through the fifteenth day of their heat cycles. Eggs can be fertilized for up to 72 hours after any of these
breeding's. Therefore, it is possible to have puppies conceived up to a week or so younger than the puppies first Conceived
in a litter. However, when the first puppies conceived are mature and ready to be born, labor starts and all the puppies will
be born, no matter when they were fertilized.
This explains why you have some bigger
and some smaller puppies in a litter. There are no "runts" In a litter, merely younger puppies. These younger puppies
may not be fully developed. Their problems may be hidden until later in puppy hood.
Some
of the problems that may be encountered are heart or lung problem, luxating patella's, or hydrocephalic or "water"
on the brain. Some of the smaller, yet just as serious, problems that may occur are hypoglycemia, (low blood sugar) or seizures
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