what type of chihuahua should i get a "teacup" chihuahua or a regular sized chihuahua? Why?

Question

THNXS for your opinions

Answer 1

Hi.
I have 7 chis right now.
Honestly you should get a regular one. The teacups are simply small chis. But to acheive this small size the breeders breed small dogs together over and over for several generations. And they don't feed them well enough to allow them to grow to a large size. So there are two problems. Because they are drastically limiting the genetic pool, it brings about a greater possibility of genetic defects. Now chis are hearty little dogs because they have been around so long and not "corrupted" by human intervention. And in rebreeding or inbreeding over and over we are opening the door to some problems. The second problem with teacups is simply that to stay small the food intake must be restricted. And that is just cruel.
So in my opinion, it is best to get a regular size (4-6lb) chihuahua. It is just a healthier option. I have a 3 and a half lb one. Her mom and dad were both much smaller. I am not going to breed her because I don't want to put her at risk of injury. I didn't realize how small she was when I ordered her, or I probably would have chosen a larger dog. It is just better for them to be bigger.

Answer 2

First of all, there is no such thing as a teacup Chihuahua. That is a marketing term to take your money. There are two varieties of Chihuahuas: smooth coats and long coats. Other than coat, they are exactly the same breed. I have attached a link to the breed standard and an article on teacup Chihuahuas.

You must also ask yourself a question. If the average Chihuahua is around six pounds, why are some so tiny? In any other breed, those tiny dogs would be called runts and they would sell for LESS than a normal size dog. Many of the tinies have heart problems and other serious health issues. The average life span for a really tiny Chihuahua is around 3 1/2 years and they leave their owners with huge vet bills and a broken heart.

Whatever you do, do not buy a dog over the internet. You will have no idea what you are getting and the dog in the photo may or may not be the dog you end up with. If you look around the area where you live, you will probably find a local breeder who will have to face you again if something isn't right.

I've enclosed some links to my web site. I hope you will spend some time there and really think about what you're doing. It is always CAVEAT EMPTOR - let the buyer beware when buying any puppy. Please feel free to e-mail me off list if you have any other questions.

Answer 3

Slightly bigger sized is always better. There are no such thing as teacups, but some are smaller than others just as in everything.

I do have a very small one, but I got lucky. He is very healthy. I also have another one under 4lbs right now, but he will be around 5lbs full grown. My 3lb Chi came from regular sized parents. He has brothers and sisters around 6lb some more. He's also brother to my other 2 boys and my girl who is almost 9lb. He is well bred and that's why he's sturdy. Most tiny ones are stunted as mentioned before. That is not good for any dog.

Very tiny dogs are at risk of hypoglycemia. Even the regular sized ones are when they are very young pups. If you can;t spot the signs early and treat appropriately the dog can die. I have seen this happen to several more than one person on my Chihuahua groups over the years. Even when you do know it can come on quickly say while you are out shopping or asleep at night. By the time you find them it's too late. You can check out more on this subject here:

Also the tiny ones are very prone to broken bones. Just ask a friend of mine who's Chi slipped on a step a few weeks back. Lola broke 3 toes. She did not even slip off the step.

I know I have been very lucky with Snickers. He's my little rubber boy. I have however had Chi's for several years and know when to step in when he maybe at risk. Also my other dogs seem to sense he's more delicate and never get rough with him and are very protective of him too.

I can;t 100% agree that the tiny ones always have major health problems as Snickers has proved this not to be true, but I do agree most of them do. Their lives are usually much shorter than an average sized Chi too.

Especially if you are not experienced with the breed it's certainly best to go with a slightly bigger Chi. Even a 9lb one is tiny. My girl is just a tad under 9lbs and she is very small, but much less likely to get injured.

Answer 4

I breed chihuahuas. There is no such thing as a teacup chihuahua. All chihuahuas are in the toy breed. The smaller chis usually have more health problems than the standard size do. They are more fragile, more prone to episodes of hypoglycemia(low blood sugar) as well as liver problems, bad knees, etc. You can get a healthy small chihuahua, but you are taking your chances.

Answer 5

first there is only two kinds of chihuahuas a long hair and short hair. there is NO such thing as a teacup. Tehy aerr runts and often have very serious health problems such as water on the brain and VERY severe hypoglycemia( low blood sugar) They need high sugar food and extra vitamins fo the little ones. It really is best to get a dog that is 3-6 pounds full grown.

Answer 6

Reg. because Teacups tend to have alot of health problems. My Cousin bought a teacup maltese, and she died before she was a year old. The teacup's small size makes it sometimes a struggle to live and personally I would like to have a Reg. sized so you can actually have it around other dogs and have it be able to play. Although teacup dogs are cute, they are not practical.

Answer 7

I have two reg chihuahuas and they are awesome. They are still so small that I sometimes almost step on them. So I would think a teacup would be squished on the first day.

Answer 8

Chihuahuas belong interior the "toy" classification of canines in accordance to A.ok.C. standards written approximately this breed. the appropriate sizes are from 3 lbs. to six lbs. to coach. for sure there are some smaller and a few extra beneficial than those 3 to six lbs. To qualify to coach they might desire to be interior that distinctive selection of weight and diverse different skills. does no longer advise that they are no longer Chihuahua in the event that they bypass over 6 lbs. No canines suits right into a "Tea cup" and hence there are no longer any canines that small. in basic terms a term so LOOSELY used to sell canines that in many circumstances are dwarfs and don't stay very long in any respect. some unscrupulous breeders attempt to reproduce canines that for the duration of basic terms weigh 2 lbs. to a different canines that would in basic terms weigh 2 lbs. the familiar offspring would be dwarfs and to complicate this a "C" section via fact the Dam can not bypass even a tiny puppy via the beginning canal. Even a Chihuahua comprehensive grown that for the duration of basic terms weighs below 3 lbs. remains a toy Chihuahua. Did you ever ask your self why you do no longer see them below 2 a million/2 lbs. or smaller. They die an early age to to malfunction of liver, lung, coronary heart, bone shape and so on. Dwarfism takes it incredibly is toll of those poorly bred canines with the help of folk who do no longer provide a rattling with regard to the favored of breeding, genetics and are in basic terms involved with getting the $. final be conscious right here, do no longer fall for it now or ever. upload: Whitney, that percentis of a classic finding infant Chihuahua guessing the burden to be around a million lb. at what feels like 6 weeks of age. particular, suits on your hand at that age, would be approximately 4 lbs. grown up. All issues seen.

Answer 9

Never get a "teacup" anything. It's a made-up term by unscrupulous breeders for dogs bred smaller than the breed standard. It's especially bad in chis, which are already small and quite fragile. Teacups tend to be more frail and sickly than standard sized dogs and no good breeder would intentionally breed them.

Answer 10

There is no such thing as a "teacup". People are breeding these breeds down in size, out of the standard for the breed. I would not purchase a tiny one, as you might get a pup that is say hydrocephalic. Purchase a pup that is bred within the standard for that breed.