| "Teacup Puppies and Dogs" is an unofficial name | | | | Whatever the case, whether a breeder uses the |
| given to a dog that weighs about four pounds or less | | | | term or not, people seem to be enjoying the use of |
| even when fully grown. The term "teacup" is actually | | | | such a clever and cute term! These teacups normally |
| not a breed; instead they are dogs that are born | | | | belong to the following breeds: Yorkies, Chihuahua, |
| premature. It is basically a term that some dog | | | | Maltese, Pomeranian, Pug, Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier, |
| breeders came up with to describe the size of a dog | | | | Terrier, Yorkshire terrier, and Poodles. |
| that is smaller than the average size for puppies and | | | | The cute sizes of these teacup puppies create the |
| dogs. | | | | usual misconception that all teacups are unhealthy. |
| Some owners of teacup puppies have considered this | | | | However, since they are the equivalent of premature |
| term as unfavorable. They are voicing their strong | | | | babies in humans, they require a lot more care and |
| criticism against the continued use of the term | | | | attention that we usually give average sized puppies |
| "teacups." They believe that these dogs should be | | | | and dogs. Due to their cute size and the delicate |
| called by their appropriate breed names. They | | | | state of their immune systems, they are prone to |
| consider the use of such a phrase as teacup puppies | | | | diseases, so when you become an owner of one, |
| as a brilliant marketing tool. Of course, there is | | | | you need to be extra careful with what you expose |
| probably a semblance of truth in this claim, which is | | | | them to. Teacup puppies have an average lifespan of |
| why prospective owners of these dogs should know | | | | 12 to 15 years. |
| the advantages and disadvantages of owning one. | | | | |