Teacup Pups Versus Toy Dogs

Toy dogs are very small dogs that were originally found only in the wealthiest families in rich communities. Today, however, toy dogs are enjoyed as pets in homes around the world. The toy dog groups contain most of the smallest dog breeds in the American Kennel Club's registry. There are some differences between breeds, however, when it comes to teacup versus toy dogs. We will discuss some of the differences between toy dogs and teacups here.

What are toy dog breeds?

Toy dogs are small dogs like Chihuahuas and Havanese puppies. They are a lot cheaper than larger dogs and somewhat easier to look after and care for. They shed less and the cost of food, grooming and other dog items is much less expensive compared to large dog breeds. Their small size aside, they can pack quite a punch in terms of fight and personality. They will sometimes try to pick fights with much larger dogs, some as large as five times their size, and prove formidable competition.

The toy dog group consists of several different dog breeds. They are generally adorable, compact animals that vary greatly in terms of temperament and personality. The toy dog group is made up of the smallest dogs in existence; however, some toy dogs come in other sizes as well. The poodle is an excellent example of a dog that fits into more than 1 category. The poodle can be found in the toy group, as well as the standard and miniature group.

Some toy dogs excel at being watchdogs and will make a fuss at even the slightest noise or movement. This can be a good or a bad thing, depending on your personality. While they're small, most toy dogs are not well suited for families with small children; in fact, some should not be around children at all as they are too small and fragile to take a playful beating. They are, however, great companions for apartment dwellers and the elderly as most members of the toy dog breed love to be around people and become very attached to their owners.

Whether or not they train easily depends largely on the breed of toy dog. Some breeds, like the Toy Poodle or the Fox Terrier, are extremely easy to train while others are extremely stubborn and headstrong.

The Truth about "Teacups"

There is no such thing as a "teacup" dog or a "teacup" breed. With that said, let's talk about what the whole teacup thing is about. The puppies that people refer to as "teacups" are the dogs that generally weigh between 2 and 4 pounds; thus "teacup" refers to the size of the puppy. The standard size for a toy dog is between 4 and 7 pounds. Anything smaller than 4 pounds poses a risk to the dog as well as anyone who wants to buy one. They are extremely fragile and can break bones doing something as simple as jumping off the couch. Unfortunately, many breeders try to sell small puppies, referring to them as "teacups" while claiming that they have bred them on their own. This is simply not true as there is no such thing as a "teacup" puppy; they are not a breed of their own. The fact is, when you breed a small dog and an even smaller dog, you usually end up with a tiny dog with a lot of health problems including dental problems, heart failure, sugar problems to name just a few. The smaller the dog, the greater the chance it has of not living a long, healthy life as it should.

Where the teacup versus toy dog debate is concerned, there is no comparison as there is no such thing as a teacup puppy. If you're looking for a small dog, choose a toy dog from a registered breeder as they usually bred much healthier and will live longer. The bottom line is make sure you do your research before you buy a dog, regardless of the size.

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