Teacup Dogs
The "Teacup" dog is not recognized by any major or reputable dog registries, thus it cannot be compared to a toy dog. The standard size for a toy dog ranges from 4 to 7 pounds; anything smaller than the standard size of a toy dog may be the runt of the litter.
Teacup dogs are popular today because of their interesting size at maturity; thus, they are commonly bred as they sell very quickly. However, as these dogs are prone to many health issues, there are risks for buyers who do not use reputable breeders that do genetic health testing and breed their dogs by the breed standard.
Most recognized breeders do not breed Teacups, as they do not breed anything smaller than 4 pounds.
"Teacup" dogs are often dogs that were born prematurely and carry greatly increased health risks. They are prone to heart failure, dental problems, behavioral/temperamental problems and various other complications, many of which are causes of their relatively short lifespans.
Read more about this topic: Toy Dog
Famous quotes containing the word dogs:
“Telephone poles were matchsticks, put there to be snapped off at a whim. Dogs trotting across the road were suddenly big trucks. Old ladies turned into moving—vans. Everything was too bright, but very funny and made for my delight. And about half a mile from my long liquid breakfast I turned carefully down a side street and parked, and sat beaming happily through the tannic fog for about an hour, remembering how witty we all had been, how handsome and talented ... [ellipsis in original]”
—M.F.K. Fisher (1908–1992)