What is a Teacup Dog?

Toy dogs are very small dogs that were originally only found as part of the wealthiest families in rich communities. Today however toy dog breeds are enjoyed as pets in different 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 however in distinction when it comes to teacup versus toy dog breeds. We will discuss some differences between toy dogs and teacups in this article.

What are toy dog breeds?
Toy dogs are the really small dogs you've probably seen around all over like Chihuahua's, and Havanese puppies. They are a lot cheaper than the larger canines 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 than other large dog breeds. Besides their small size however, they can pack quite a punch into their little bodies. They will sometimes think and try to take on much larger dogs than you might think.

The toy dog group consists of several different dog breeds. They are generally adorable, compact animals and can vary in regards of temperament and personality. The toy dog group is made up of the smallest dogs around, however some of the toy dogs come in other sizes as well like the poodle. The poodle can be found in the toy group, as well as the standard and miniature group.

Some toy dogs will excel as being watchdogs and will raise alarm at even the slightest noise or movement. Depending on your personality this can be a good or a bad thing. And even though they're small they're not all suited well to children; in fact some should not be around children at all as they are too fragile and little to take a playful beating. They are great companions of apartment dwellers and the elderly as most of the toy dog breed love to be around people and will become very attached to their owners.

Whether or not they train easily will depend largely on the breed of toy dog you plan on getting. Some breeds like the toy poodle or the fox terrier are extremely easy to train and others are extremely stubborn and headstrong.

The Truth about "teacups"
Unfortunately there is no such thing as "teacup" dogs or a "teacup" dog breed. With that being said let's talk a little more about what the whole teacup thing is about. The puppies that people are referring to as teacups are the dogs that generally weight between 2 to 4 pounds. The word "teacup" has been used basically to describe the size of the puppy. The standard size for a dog in the toy group is between 4 and 7 pounds. Anything smaller can pose a risk to the dog as well as anyone who wants to buy one. They are extremely fragile and can break bones easily from a small jump off the couch. Many breeders unfortunately will try and sell small puppies and call them teacups claiming that they have bred them on their own, but this is not true. Teacup puppies are not a breed of their own. The actual facts are that when you breed a small dog and an even smaller dog together you usually end up with a tiny dog with a lot of health problems; dental problems, heart failure, sugar problems and those are just the beginning. The smaller the dog the more chances it has of not living a long and healthy life like it should.

So teacup versus toy dog breeds; well you can't really compare the two since teacups are not really a dog breed of their own. If you're looking for a small dog stick to the toy dog breed as they usually breed much healthier and will live longer. Whichever you decide to do make sure you do your research.

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