Texas Heeler Breed Info: A Friendly Farmhand From The Southwest
Breeds / 2024
Teacup Chihuahua Breed Guide: 4 Reasons To Not Own This Dog
Did you ever want a dog that you could carry around with you almost anywhere you could go?
Teacup Chihuahua’s have feisty personalities and adorable looks that capture the hearts of everyone who sees them.
They are loving dogs with their owners and always have enough personality to keep you entertained.
Families with older children or single families are a great fit for this dog and they cannot wait to spend their time with you.
Keep reading to learn all about this mini pooch…
Contents and Quick Navigation
- What is a Teacup Chihuahua? (Overview)
- Pros and Cons
- Teacup Chihuahua Appearance
- 6 Fun Facts About Miniature Chihuahuas
- Teacup Chihuahua Personality and Temperament
- Caring for a Teacup Chihuahua
- How To Train A Teacup Chihuahua
- Quick Breed Summary Table
- Summary
What is a Teacup Chihuahua? (Overview)
A Teacup Chihuahua is a proud member of the Toy Breed group according to AKC.
They are a small or micro-sized Chihuahua, but do not let these little dogs fool you. What they lack for in size they make up with in personality.
These feisty pups are going to let you know what is on their mind. They are a great companion dog for the right owner and since they are so small, they will not take up much space.
Miniature Chihuahuas can be rather high-maintenance with their demands and constant bathroom breaks. They will need exercise just like other dogs but they are not suitable for long walks.
Since they are so small they will need access to food around the clock. Just like with any dog, they will need to be properly socialized and trained by their owners to help them become the best companion they can be.
- Overview: Teacup/Toy.
- Purpose: Companion.
- Weight: ~5 pounds.
- Size: ~6 inches.
- Temperament: Loyal, feisty and attentive.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Suitable for apartment living.
- Loyal and affectionate to their owners.
- Highly adaptable to living situations.
- Great travel companion.
- Lifelong puppy-like appearance.
Cons:
- Not suitable for young families.
- Socialization is extremely important from a young age.
- Can be aggressive with strangers.
- Highly dependent on their owners (separation anxiety).
Teacup Chihuahua Appearance
Their bodies are compact and well-muscled with shorter legs than their length. They have fine bones that give them their delicate features, with a tail that curls upwards.
Size
With the AKC breed standard for a Chihuahua being at 6 pounds, a Teacup Chihuahua is usually less than 5 pounds in size.
These dogs will stand at about six inches tall.
Coat and Colors
Chihuahuas can come in a variety of different coat colors and types.
The most common colors include black, blue, chocolate, cream, white and red. Although many Chihuahua’s that you see can be a mix of these colors such as bi-colored or tri-colored.
They also can have merle markings with different colored masks. This leaves for a variety of different colors for your Chihuahua to have.
These dogs can have either a smooth coat (short hair) or a long coat.
A smooth coat will be short, soft and shiny. Whereas long coats will be soft with a straight or slightly wavy texture. It should be a thick coat with feathering on the limbs.
6 Fun Facts About Miniature Chihuahuas
- There is a specific gene that is only found in Chihuahuas that can be linked to an ancient breed dog in Pre-Columbia.
- Chihuahuas are known for being the smallest dogs in the world.
- Due to their tiny size they are often born by caesarean section by a veterinarian.
- The breed’s name comes from a state in Mexico called Chihuahua.
- Some have a Molera (soft spot on their head) from their skull bones not completely fusing.
- Tea Chihuahuas were artificially selected by humans to create a better companion.
Teacup Chihuahua Personality and Temperament
Chihuahua’s are confident, that are certain to capture anyone’s heart.
Just like their appearance, these dogs also have a puppy-like playfulness to them always willing to entertain and play with their toys.
Teacup Chihuahuas love to be with their owners and are dependent on you for your love and attention.
You will notice they have a lot of energy for short periods of time, which is great for a quick walk or play time. They are known to wear themselves out from playing and running about in your home – since they are so small this can usually happen in just one room.
Although Chihuahuas are very loving, they can also be very protective of their owners. This means that they can be barkers since they want to alert you to anything going on.
They also need mental stimulation because of their alert and quick-witted personalities.
They are known to have big personalities. This means these dogs are going to rule your home unless properly trained.
Even though they are small, these dogs should be trained and socialized just like any other breed. They can be stubborn during their training but with the right love and diligence they can become amazing life-long friends.
They are a small dog with a big dog complex and can be snappy when meeting strangers or small children.
This means that they need socialization and training from a young age to help them realize that strangers can also turn into friends. Once comfortable, these dogs will continue with their loving and playful disposition.
Caring for a Teacup Chihuahua
Mini Chihuahuas can be a high maintenance dog mainly due to their personality.
They are very needy when it comes to your attention but as long as they have it and can be with you they will be fine.
This pooch is great for city living since they are small and are a great fit for an apartment.
They have low exercise requirements and food intake due to their size which could also be helpful to busy people. However bathroom breaks may have to be increased to ensure there are no accidents in the house due to their small bladder.
Exercise Requirements
They can be a rather energetic breed but due to their size they tire quickly.
A short walk once or twice a day will be enough to tire them out.
Tiny Chihuahuas can also play inside without making too much noise or destruction while still getting their energy out.
A good walking schedule, potty breaks and play time will make sure that your dog is getting the proper exercise and stimulation that they need. Playing some games in your home like hide and seek will also help. They can tire themselves out with their toys in small spaces which is great for older people and busy people.
- Number of Walks Per Day: 1.
- Total Exercise Needed Per Day: 30 Minutes.
Grooming and Shedding
Your grooming commitments will depend on their specific coat length.
If they have a short coat they will need to be brushed once a week and do not have to go to a professional groomer. If your Chihuahua has long hair then you will need to brush them several times a week to keep up with their hair loss.
Their hair can also become matted if left unkempt for long amounts of time. Long coated Chihuahuas will benefit more from going to a groomer. Shedding can be an issue as well so make sure to brush them so that your house does not become overrun with hair.
Feeding and Diet
These pups are so small that they do not eat very much.
The correct food and diet is needed throughout their specific life stages (puppy, adult and senior).
Because of their size they need eat frequently in order to keep their blood sugar up.
Choosing a dog for small breed dogs can also help ensure a healthy lifestyle since these foods are specially made for their specific protein, carbohydrate and fat needs.
Some Chihuahuas can become overweight so making sure that they have the correct caloric intake is important.
Treats should be limited to special occasions or training.
| Calories Per Day: | Cups of Kibble Per Day: |
|---|---|
| 250 | ~0.5 |
Known Health Problems
There are a few known health problems for Teacup Chihuahuas that are listed below:
- Hypoglycaemia.
- Heart problems (such as mitral valve disease).
- Hydrocephalus.
- Dystocia.
Due to selective breeding with Teacups, these health problems listed above can be made even worse – so this is something to be aware of when considering this breed (or any other Teacup).
How Long Does A Teacup Chihuahua Live?
You can expect them to live about 14-16 years depending on their environment, health and genetics.
How Much Does A Teacup Chihuahua Cost?
Depending on the breeder, expect to pay between $500-$2,000 for a pup.
How To Train A Teacup Chihuahua
When training your Chihuahua you want to make sure that they know you are the leader of the family.
Since these dogs can have dominance issues, training and socialization are key in their upbringing. They will respond best to positive reinforcement and repetition.
Chihuahua’s are very good at picking up on human social cues and they want to please their owners. This will make it easier to work with them during their training.
Make sure that from a puppy you do not allow any behaviors that you would not want them to do as an adult. These dogs can be stubborn so a firm but loving training style will be best.
These dogs are very intelligent which means that they need mental stimulation to keep them out of trouble. Obedience training among other dog activities such as agility is great for these dogs to keep them mentally stimulated.
A good game to play would be to take a dog treat and put it under one of three cups. Move the cups around and ask your dog to point to the cup with the treat underneath it.
Socialization is a must for these dogs. This can be done by introducing your puppy to friends and their dogs. Since they are so small though make sure that other big dogs do not accidentally hurt them. To make sure that your Teacup Chihuahua has as many friends as possible start socializing them from a young age.
Quick Breed Summary Table
| Breed Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Size: | 6 inches. |
| Weight: | 5lb. |
| Lifespan: | 14-16 years. |
| Coat: | Short or long coat. |
| Color: | Black, chocolate, fawn, cream, white and red. |
| Do They Shed: | Yes. |
| Temperament: | Feisty, alert and loyal. |
| Intelligence: | High. |
| Socialization: | Needs strong socialization. |
| Destructive Behavior: | Can bark when alone. |
| People Skills: | Good with people once properly socialized. |
| Good with Children: | Yes with older children. |
| Activity Levels: | Excitable but get tired Easily. |
Summary
This is a feisty, loyal and smart dog that is willing to give you everything it has in order to become your best friend.
They will love you until the very end!
Teacup Chihuahua’s are highly intelligent so the need for mental stimulation is a must.
A routine playtime with their favorite toys will be enough exercise for them to become the best lap dog.
If you have any questions then let us know in the comments section below…
