Teacup Chihuahua: Complete Guide

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Teacup Chihuahuas are cute, tiny, delicate, and adorable dogs that come in many different Chihuahua colors. In this article, you’ll find out everything you need to know about this miniature dog breed-from their actual size and weight to how much they cost and how to best care for them and train them.

Let’s begin!

What is a Teacup Chihuahua?

Teacup Chihuahuas are heralded as premium-category Chihuahuas, which is why they often carry a hefty price tag. The price of a teacup Chihuahua starts from $1200 and goes as high as $12,000 depending on the Chihuahua’s color, age, and health. These little canines are sometimes bred to be tiny, and a fully-grown Teacup Chihuahua can be just half as big as an ordinary Chihuahua.

How big do Teacup Chihuahuas get?

How big is a Teacup Chihuahua — How big does a Teacup Chihuahua get

Weighing 6 pounds and measuring 8 inches, Chihuahuas are already the shortest and lightest dogs in the world. However, a Teacup Chihuahua would be even tinier. Teacup Chihuahuas weigh no more than 3 pounds and are under 6 inches tall, even when they are fully grown.

Teacup Chihuahua size

Teacup Chihuahuas are given that name because they can actually fit inside a teacup. These Chihuahuas usually don’t grow bigger than 6 inches and appear to be stuck in puppyhood for their whole lives. Some of them are even smaller.

Miracle Milly holds the record for the smallest adult dog in the world. This Teacup Chihuahua stood less than 4 inches tall and weighed less than a pound when it entered the record books.

How much does a Teacup Chihuahua weigh?

While regular Chihuahuas can weigh around 6 pounds, Teacup Chihuahuas usually weighs just 3 pounds or less. Their lightweight makes them ideal for carrying around.

How to care for a Teacup Chihuahua

Teacup Chihuahuas are delicate dogs that can’t handle roughhousing, so make sure you treat them as carefully as possible. If you have children or other dogs, a Teacup Chihuahua won’t survive for long.

Covering the health cost is a major concern for most owners of this minuscule dog. Avoiding necessary visits to the vet to save money only predisposes your little Teacup Chihuahua to unwanted ailments later on. If affordability is an issue, consider getting a health insurance plan for your Teacup Chihuahua.

How to train a Teacup Chihuahua?

Teacup Chihuahuas make up for their tiny size with their big-dog attitude, and they can be pretty stubborn during training. You have to establish your authority over them, or they won’t pay attention to anything you say.

Training and socialization are best done during their puppyhood growth stages. Teacup Chihuahuas are at their peak learning phase and are more accepting and open to commands at this age. Be aware that it is easy to succumb to their cuteness, and you may end up with a spoiled Teacup Chihuahua if you don’t discipline her.

However, that doesn’t mean resorting to punishments. Teacup Chihuahuas are best taught with positive reinforcement, not strictness.

Training them can be testing and challenging, but with patience, positive reinforcement, and the right attitude, you can educate your mini Teacup Chihuahua to behave like a true gentle dog.

How to potty train a Teacup Chihuahua?

Potty training a Teacup Chihuahua is no walk in the park. However, using a solid routine and effective training techniques can help your mini Teacup Chihuahua do their business at the spot of your choice.

The ideal potty-training age is 8 weeks, but these Teacup Chihuahuas can also learn it at a later age. Designate a spot in your house for your chi’s restroom. Make sure it is in a corner, so the Teacup Chihuahua doesn’t get disturbed when doing their deed.

Teacup Chihuahua owners should also take them out after every meal, after exercise, and before and after bedtime to help them relieve themselves. Do this routinely for few weeks in a row, and your Teacup Chihuahua will start doing it autonomously.

Note that these tiny Teacup Chihuahua dogs have poor bladder control. But that’s a biological issue rather than a behavioral one. Despite your best training, you can expect occasional accidents around the house. Understand that your tiny four-legged friend doesn’t do it on purpose, and you should never scold or shout at them for making a mess.

Are Teacup Chihuahuas good pets?

Their tiny size aside, Teacup Chihuahuas are every bit as loyal and protective as regular Chihuahuas. Their alertness and intelligence make them good watchdogs, and their longevity means you get to enjoy their company for a long time.

However, these tiny Teacup Chihuahua pups are sometimes purposely bred to be small and can suffer from a myriad of congenital diseases. They are also very delicate dogs that need to be cared for and protected more than any other dog.

Teacup Chihuahua health issues

1. Respiratory issues

Teacup Chihuahuas have a unique skull that makes them prone to a congested respiratory path. On top of that, they’re naturally susceptible to certain conditions that make breathing difficult for them.

Disorders such as cleft palate, chronic bronchitis, reverse sneezing, and tracheal collapse are common among Teacup Chihuahuas and often require medication or surgery.

2. Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia, or acutely low blood sugar, is a condition experienced most often by smaller dog breeds. Teacup Chihuahuas, being tiny as they are, are more prone to it than any other canine. Their puny physique and fast metabolism make it difficult for them to store blood sugar, and they often succumb to hypoglycemia—particularly after physical activities.

3. Orthopedic weaknesses

These miniature Teacup Chihuahua dogs are inherently predisposed to several skeletal and orthopedic issues due to their weak bones. Problems like fractures, osteoarthritis, loose kneecaps, growth issues, and thigh bone deformation are common among these pups.

4. Heart diseases

The miniaturization of a Chihuahua takes a toll on their vital organs, which struggle to function with their reduced size. That’s why Teacup Chihuahuas suffer from poor cardiac health.

Mitral valve disease, pulmonic stenosis, and patent ductus arteriosus are common heart diseases among these tiny Teacup Chihuahua dogs.

5. Soft skull

Baby Teacup Chihuahuas have a soft spot or an opening in their heads. This spot, also known as a molera, usually hardens as the Teacup Chihuahua ages—but that’s not always a guarantee.

Teacup Chihuahuas often retain some semblance of the molera well into their adulthood. This opening makes their skulls fragile and prone to neurological disorders like hydrocephalus.

Other conditions affecting Teacup Chihuahuas

Teacup Chihuahuas are sought-after dogs due to their unique size. Unfortunately, breeders often ignore potential health issues when trying to breed a Chihuahua as small as possible. This size is unnatural for Chihuahuas, and it makes them susceptible to numerous health issues.

On top of that, Teacup Chihuahuas also inherit all the health risks associated with regular Chihuahuas. These mini Teacup Chihuahua dogs are especially prone to:

Corneal eye disease.
Epilepsy.
Poor bladder control.
Cleft palate (malformed roof of the mouth).
Osteoarthritis.
Syringomyelia (spinal cord disease).
Hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the skull).
Mitral valve disease (heart condition).
Liver shunt.
Skin diseases.
Patellar luxation (loose kneecaps).
Periodontal diseases.
Tracheal collapse (respiratory issue).

How long do Teacup Chihuahuas live?

Teacup Chihuahuas can live for 7 to 12 years. While it may sound impressive for a dog, normal-sized Chihuahuas can live for as long as 18 to 20 years. So although a Teacup Chihuahua has a lengthy lifespan, it only lives for half as long as a regular Chihuahua.

Teacup Chihuahua price

how much are teacup chihuahua — how much is a teacup chihuahua

Teacup Chihuahuas are heralded as premium-category Chihuahuas, which is why they often carry a hefty price tag. The price of a Teacup Chihuahua starts from $1,200 and goes as high as $12,000 depending on the Chihuahua’s color, age, and health.

How much does a Teacup Chihuahua cost over its entire lifetime?

Bringing a Teacup Chihuahua in your life can cost a small fortune, but that’s nothing compared to what Teacup Chihuahua owners shell out over the course of their lifetime.

Healthcare is the most substantial expense in raising these mini Teacup Chihuahua dogs. Even if you manage to buy a healthy Chihuahua, regular checkups, vaccinations, and preventive care can rack up quite a sum. These dogs also need special food, living arrangements, mini toys, and accessories.

All in all, expect to shell out around $2,000 per year on this minuscule Teacup Chihuahua mutt. And before you think you can manage that, this sum will only increase as the little Teacup Chihuahua dog grows older.

Teacup Chihuahua breeders

As a general precaution, avoid any Teacup Chihuahua breeder that advertises themselves selling “Teacup Chihuahuas.” It means the breeder is purposely producing puny pups for profit. When it comes to responsible breeding, a miniature Teacup Chihuahua dog should be an exception, not the rule.

How many puppies can a Teacup Chihuahua have?

A Teacup Chihuahua can give birth to 1 to 3 puppies in a litter. That is compared to up to 2 to 5 puppies an ordinary Chihuahua can bear.

You might be interested in: Find out the most amount of puppies a Chihuahua can have by checking out our article, How Many Puppies Can A Chihuahua Have?

How to avoid puppy farms and unscrupulous breeders

The demand for Teacup Chihuahuas is the reason behind their high prices. Unfortunately, that is also why breeders are always trying to bring more of these genetic misfits into the world.

A Teacup Chihuahua is usually the smallest pup in a regular Chihuahua’s litter, also known as a runt. Sometimes, two runts are bred together to produce even smaller Chihuahuas. Any breeder who does that is in no way ethical.

A breeder’s preference should be the health of the dogs and the puppies they bring into the world—which is why breeders that intentionally reproduce miniature Teacup Chihuahua dogs should never be opted for or encouraged.

Lastly, instead of purchasing these dogs at premium prices from dubious breeders, consider adoption. Numerous abandoned and rescued Teacup Chihuahuas all over the country are looking for a loving home.

The best part is, you don’t even have to break the bank for them. There is nothing nobler than giving an abandoned Teacup Chihuahua dog a loving, caring household. Plus, doing that helps discourage unethical puppy farming.

Is a Teacup Chihuahua right for me?

If you can afford the heavy maintenance cost, ensure appropriate care for this delicate creature, and put up with its numerous health issues, a Teacup Chihuahua may suit you. But instead of encouraging unethical breeding of this unnaturally small dog, consider adopting one from a shelter.