| Over the past few years it seems that teacup | | | | If you do decide to get a teacup chihuahua, be |
| chihuahuas are growing in popularity. Why is it that so | | | | prepared to expect more health problems. Being the |
| many people prefer them over any other dog? Well, | | | | smallest dog in the world comes with its fair share of |
| chihuahuas are already the smallest dog breed in the | | | | health problems including regulating their blood sugar |
| world and having one means that it will be the | | | | (hypoglycemia), dehydration, and respiratory |
| smallest of the smallest and they many people think | | | | problems. They will need extra care and special |
| they are the cutest. | | | | attention especially as puppies and should always be |
| What most people don't know is that common terms | | | | checked out by a licensed veterinarian for thyroid |
| like "teacup", "toy", "deerhead", or "applehead" are | | | | and liver problems. |
| not defined as a chihuahua breed by any of the | | | | Being so small makes them much more likely to get |
| major canine organizations such as the AKC, CKC, or | | | | seriously injured. Kids often like to play rough with |
| the UKC. In fact the only different official chihuahua | | | | them or can even step on them. If you have kids, |
| breeds are long-haired and short-haired. The term is | | | | please don't get a teacup chihuahua. |
| usually used to define a chihuahua which weighs less | | | | Dogs often lick the ground, sometimes ingesting |
| than the standard. It seems to be a popular term | | | | fertilizers, cleaning agents, and other harmful |
| that most people and chihuahua breeders use and will | | | | chemicals in their system. This can be especially |
| probably be here to stay even if it isn't recognized as | | | | dangerous for teacup chihuahuas. Being so small |
| a chihuahua breed. | | | | makes their body much more vulnerable to low |
| If you are looking for a teacup chihuahua don't | | | | doses of toxins. |
| always listen the breeder or the seller. Many times | | | | The weather will also affect teacup chihuahuas more |
| chihuahua sellers will claim to have puppies for sale. | | | | than others. Consider getting your chihuahua a |
| The fact is, no one can tell whether a puppy less | | | | sweater for the winter time to give some extra |
| than 10 weeks old will be a teacup size or not. | | | | warmth and protection. |
| Checking to see if the puppies parents are teacup | | | | Teacup chihuahuas can make wonderful pets. Just |
| wont work either. It is nearly impossible to determine | | | | remember that smaller isn't always better. Make sure |
| if a chihuahua is going to be a teacup based on the | | | | you have a healthy chihuahua over the smallest. |
| size of their parents. | | | | |