 Barked: Tue Jan 25, '11 10:59am PST |
 | |  | | I think it's totally irresponsible of breeders to advertise teacups. Mine are tiny enough at 6-7 lbs, and they're slightly oversize.
There is all sorts of dangers in a teacup dog, from being prey for raptors, other dogs, cats, and even ferrets, to health problems like hypoglycemia and fragile bones that break easily, to physical dangers like doors. My pastor had a "teacup" yorkie that weighed in at 1.8 lbs. The poor thing died at age 4, because it was following him around like a loyal dog does, and it got caught in the door as he closed it behind him.
I think People that love toy dogs fall into about 3 categories, some people into more than 1 of these
1. People who want dogs as a Status symbol. Toy dogs have historically been companion dogs for the wealthy.
2. people who have control or dependency issues. Some people get tiny dogs because they want the sense of being much bigger than something, or they get them because they are baby-size. These types are the ones that usually wind up falling for the teacup size gimmick. They are also the ones who put them in strollers, carry them around in purses, and so forth.
3. People who love dogs and dog personality, but don't want the big dog presence. Toy dogs are compact, easy to travel with, produce less waste, and fit much easier into an apartment. they are perfect for people who have lifting issues or people who can't walk very far.
These are dogs that are already "teacup" size, just by breed standard, under 5 lbs. They don't need to be any smaller. If people are actively looking for a dog under these sizes, I tell them to consider a rat or a ferret. Both creatures are intelligent, trainable, loyal, and tiny, and both live around 8-12 years, which, when you think about it, is the same lifespan as the average dog of any size.
chihuahua: 2-6 lb
Prazsky Krysarik: 2-6
pomeranian: 3-6
Toy Fox Terrier: 3-7
Russkiy Toy: 3-10
Yorkshire Terrier: 4-7
Maltese:4-7 |  |  | |  |
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3
good enough! Luna is 7.5lbs and just 10.5" at the shoulders, she's on the small end of a Minpin but there is no cup she can fit in 
