Teacup doggies are a personal favorite whether it is a poodle or a yorkie. The teacup pug in particular holds a special place in my heart with their perfect combination of adorable aesthetics and an endearing temperament. However, all this comes at a steep price for the little pooches. If you are interested in getting one of your own, here is all you need to know.
A teacup pug is a variation of the standard pug breed obtained from breeding dwarf pugs. They are known for their very small dimensions measuring about 6 inches in height and 2 to 4 pounds in weight. When it comes to the other physical features and temperament, they are essentially exactly the same as the standard breed. However, their health issues put them at risk of more health issues.
In the sections below, we will take a closer look at what teacup pugs are in terms of their physical traits, temperament, and health issues.
Teacup dogs are considered dogs which at maturity do not surpass the 5 pound mark in terms of weight. More often than not, they are bred from runts in litters from small and toy breeds.
In the case of pugs, the teacup versions are bred from two dwarf pugs or pugs with the dwarfism gene.
So yes, teacup pugs are real. But this is not exactly a good thing and we will look at this in more detail shortly.
We do not call them teacup doggies for no reason. Teacup pugs can be as small as 2 to 4 pound and 6 inches in height and can actually fit in some cups and mugs; thus the name. At birth, they are visibly smaller than standard pugs although not by a large margin. What sets them apart from the latter is the fact that teacup pugs tend to stay smaller than other pugs even when they reach maturity.
Other than their size, teacup pugs resemble the regular pug in every other respect. They have the same brachycephalic facial structure with a flat brow, smooshed up nose, and large protruding eyes. Their ears are short and droopy falling to the level of the temple by maturity. They may also have the same facial folds albeit to a lower degree. These contribute to the dog’s cuteness factor but are also a major health liability.
Their bodies are compact and stocky featuring mild folds. They tend to have short coats in tan or black with occasional dark facial and ear markings.
A teacup pug can have a lifespan of 6 to 10 years. This is way below the 12 to 15 years you could expect with a standard pug.
The main reason for this is the numerous health issues that the smaller doggies experience throughout their lifetime. Here are some of the most important ones.
This is associated with their short stature and results in abnormal attachment at the hip joint. In addition to affecting mobility, it could lead to arthritis and associated chronic pain.
Teacup pugs are very energetic dogs. Unfortunately, they do not have very high energy reserves and as a result often end up wiped out and hypoglycemic with most activities.
This is as a result of their brachycephalic facial structure. The flattened face affects the patency of their airways and could result in potentially fatal breathing problems.
Teacup pugs have all sorts of gut issues from food intolerance to constipation as a result of volvulus.
This is one of the leading causes of fatality in teacup pugs. It could be congenital or as a result of poor handling given the teacup’s neck and chest structure.
These are associated with problematic genes inherited from the sickly parents but could also be spontaneous. They often result in deaths at a young age but the pug may survive a few years with only minor hindrances to physical capabilities.
Teacup pugs also suffer from health issues like blindness which, though not directly fatal, could increase the risk of issues like trauma.
Teacup pugs are very fragile little doggies both physically and in terms of their health in general. With all the health issues we highlighted and many others to worry about, you have to be very intentional in terms of offering adequate care. Fortunately, you have come to the right place for tips on how to properly take care of any teacup pug in your custody. Here are 3 key tips to take into account.
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This is unusual advice when raising a dog, but do not let your teacup pug play too much. Even with adequate diets, they are at a risk of developing hypoglycemia. So stick to a 30 minute per day moderate workout.
Teacup pugs are not good with temperature control. Their facial structure makes them poor at dealing with heat while their small bodies make them get colder, faster. When it is hot, make sure the pooch isn’t out in the sun and that they are properly cooled down whether it is through an air conditioner or by giving them cold water.
When it is cold, a nice doggy sweater would be ideal in which case we recommend the Dog Fashion Bee Sweater for the perfect combination of aesthetics, comfort, and insulation.
After all is said and done, the teacup pug is essentially like a standard pug in all ways including their temperament. However, they are generally a little more playful and friendly especially with children and strangers. Here is a summary of the key temperament traits of a teacup pug.
Teacup pugs are the perfect lap dog. They not only fit perfectly on the lap for fun cuddles but also actually love the attention and contact making them the perfect cuddle buddies.
Like standard pugs, teacup pugs are very calm dogs. They love to quietly observe their environment and hardly ever get riled up. This is ideal if you want a family pet for a home with kids.
Another really awesome thing about pugs is the fact that they hardly ever bark unless they feel threatened. This means all the perks of owning a dog without having to deal with late night bark alarms and angry neighbors.
When a teacup pug feels comfortable and safe, there is nothing that will stop them from socializing and demanding playtime with just about anyone. Just make sure to monitor their activity to prevent hypoglycemia.
Be careful if your pug is too quiet, for too long out of your sight. They are probably getting into some form of trouble in their quest to explore and discover new things in your home.
These small doggies are very smart and always eager to please. This makes them very easy to housebreak. You could also teach them fun tricks which they tend to pick up on very quickly.
Teacup pugs, like their standard companions, shed very heavily. If you are allergic to pet dander or have family and guests who are, you will have to take extra care to minimize the amount of shedding in the home. What’s worse is the fact that unlike other breeds that shed seasonally, these guys shed throughout the year.
The good news is that it takes very little effort to keep this at bay as well as other complications of poor grooming to yourself and to the dog. Here are a few tips that will definitely come in handy.
Regular brushing helps you to deshed to pooch so that not a lot of the dander is dropped all over your home. With such heavy shedders, a 5 to 10 minute brushing about 3 days a week should do the job.
As with any other dog, coat and skin care are very important for the pug. In order to maintain their skin and fur’s natural oils, limit the full showers to once every month or two.
Teacup pugs have disproportionately very large and exposed eyes which makes investing in tearless products very important whether it is shampoo or doggy wipes. We recommend the CHI Tearless Puppy Shampoo which is specially formulated to be gentle not only on their eyes but also their exposed nasal airways.
These tend to hide moisture and harbor germs which could cause infections. So after you wash them or they have any contact with water, make sure to thoroughly wipe between the folds.
How Much Does A Teacup Pug Cost? Due to the ethical restrictions, teacup pugs are very hard to come by. This combined with their demand based on aesthetics makes them relatively expensive. The teacup pug could cost about $300 all the way up to $4000. However, it is best to get them from rescues where you give them a home without promoting their harmful breeding.
Are Teacup Dogs Illegal? Teacup puts are technically not illegal to breed. However, it is widely regarded as unethical and even cruel to breed small and sickly pugs to get the little pooches. This is because of all the health issues they have to deal with as a result of dwarfism in addition to the complications of brachycephaly that standard pugs have to deal with.
Why Teacup Dogs Are Bad? According to the American Kennel Club, teacup dogs are those that weigh between 2 and 5 pounds in weight and do not grow past 17 inches at maturity. While they may be aesthetically pleasing, this weight and build comes with many health issues which is why teacup dog breeding is a bad idea.
Pete Decker is the Lead Editor at The Goody Pet. He is a passionate wildlife educator and loves to share his experiences on pets. During his free time, you can find him cozying around his 2 adorable Labradors (Tobi & Kobi).
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