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Why do People want Teacup Dogs?

If you are wondering what is the right dog for you, this is the place to be. In this introductory forum we talk about topics such as breed vs. mix, size, age, grooming, breeders, shelters, rescues as well as requirements for exercise, space and care. No question is too silly here. This particular forum is for getting and giving helpful, nice advice. It is definitely not a forum for criticizing someone else's opinion, knowledge or advice. This forum is all about tail wagging and learning.

  
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Elsa

mycooldog.wordpr- ess.com		 
 
Barked: Sun Apr 29, '12 7:06pm PST 
I think kip hit the nail on the head. I generally love large dogs but when I got my dog (a Cavalier) I needed an apartment dog who could travel well in a small car. Also, less hair, less food, less space taken up. Elsa happens to be the runt of the litter and where her parents were 18 and 16 lbs, she is only 10. I get snide remarks from people all the time commenting on how "skinny" she is and asking me if "she's supposed to be that small". It breaks my heart that people think I sought out an extra small version of a breed or worse that people think I'm stunting her growth or starving her. In fact I think anyone who gets a dog needs to research what a healthy dog looks like because I regularly see terribly overweight dogs at the park and it's always those owners who comment on how skinny my dog is(just my little vent for the day). All in all, I think it's wrong to get a dog as a fasion accessory but the truth is, extra small dogs are really practical for a lot of people.
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Trigger

*Blackdog*		 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 30, '12 7:24am PST 
Milton, the link you provided thankfully addresses *all* issues of improper breeding and ownership of *all* sizes of dogs.

I'm not sure what micro sized "bulging eyed" dog breeds you're referring to specifically as it didn't elude to anything like that but rather focused on inbreeding and fad breeds such as the Siberian Husky.
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Frankie

Cheese? PLEASE!		 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 30, '12 7:48am PST 
I agree with some of the replies (did not read all)..
I think too it goes to mothering instincts/nurturing instincts..it is like they will always be a 'baby' and need special looking after. Plus some do seem to think it is a cute little live toy. Not a good reason to get a dog, but whatever floats their boat.

As someone pointed out, some folks like the biggest dog they can get, for whatever reason.

There is no such thing as a teacup or other "special" name..often they are just the runt of the litter.
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Member Since
01/04/2009		 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 30, '12 8:36am PST 
You know, I don't get what the appeal is with designer dogs, or tea cup dogs, or whatever.

I know that some people say, "Well, I like the smallest," or, "Well, I wanted my dog to have the best of both of these breeds," but in real life things just don't always work out that well. As some posters mentioned, dogs that are too tiny have blood sugar issues and designer dogs...well...I've never met a designer dog that I felt was special enough to warrent the shady breeding practice that occured to produce it.

That's NOT to say that I'm against mixed breed dogs, and I don't have a problem with mixes being created with a purpose in mind, kind of what the dalmations did with adding pointers and what not. Or, alaskan huskies, for example.
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Kip & Oogie

Goof Fox & Diva- Squirrel		 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 30, '12 3:05pm PST 
First off, I realize my first post may have come off as a little defensive. Twister is right- people are entitled to their own opinions regarding what size or breed of dog they prefer. I suppose the initial post just seemed somewhat judgmental since some of the dogs described would have fallen in line with breed standard for their breed- which happens to be very small already as Lilith pointed out... so to me, it seemed like the question really was "why would anyone want tiny/small dogs?"

As I pointed out, tiny dogs do have their benefits and happen to be really practical/good lifestyle match choices for the people who chose to have them be part of their family.

That said, Mulder is correct about people who specifically seek out dogs marketed as "teacups" who feel the need to make it known to others that their dog is indeed a "teacup." Those are the owners who usually see the dogs as more of an accessory and not as a dog/part of the family... And yes, those types of owners are more common with smaller breeds unfortunately. HOWEVER... can't state this enough... not ALL tiny dog owners are that way. Like Elsa said- "extra small dogs are really practical for a lot of people."

Guest, this particular thread wasn't addressing "designer" dogs... and even so, not all designer dog breeders are bad breeders. Yes, the good ones are much harder to come by, but they do exist. And while you are right that the pup from an intentional cross may or may not have the best of both breeds, if it is coming from healthy tested parents with stable temperaments the likelihood of it ending up genetically unsound and temperamentally unstable is low. Different people like the intentional crosses for different reasons, from the same type of folks who are drawn to the "teacup" gimmick because they want something special and unusual regardless of health concerns to people who actually like both breeds and want a combination of traits from both and want to know the genetic/health history of the pup's parents. Like just about everything else in this world, it's not black and white but rather on a spectrum... Anyway, I'm also with you that sometimes adding new blood into purebreds is a good idea, especially when it can end up saving the breed from horrid genetic issues. Dalmatians are a great example. I can think of a couple of other breeds that may end up needing some sort of intervention in the near future.

That said, I still agree with what Trigger said. A good owner is a good owner and a bad owner is a bad owner regardless of their dog's size (or breed, or mix of breeds).
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Uno

I'm huntin'- wabbits		 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 30, '12 3:25pm PST 
I think its an attention thing. Teacup dogs also make me cringe, some looks seriously inbred and deformed. I would worry about them getting trampled at the park, or a child hugging one to death. Even if theres a medical issue, its nearly impossible finding a vein on a dog that size, let alone perform a successful surgery.

Edited by author Mon Apr 30, '12 3:29pm PST

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Ch. Ali, CGC

We don't do- doodles!!
 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 30, '12 3:46pm PST 
Uno, almost all my toy poodles are between 4 to 6 lbs. Most of them are show champions, some have obedience show titles and all of them are spayed/neutered with NO problems during or after the surgery, and I have NEVER had ANY vet or vet tech or, even myself, have trouble finding a vein on the first try.
I have also NEVER tripped over nor stepped on one of my poodles. No one who has ever visited me has either, and no child has ever injured one by giving it a hug. Trust me, they have had PLENTY of children give them hugs, too.
I have, however, gotten pretty seriously injured tripping over a labrador that was under my feet, not to mention the number of injuries gotten by having large, out of control dogs jump on me or bite me while grooming them!!
My toy dogs ALL go camping, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, hiking, and run at least an hour every afternoon. They are certified Therapy dogs and routinely visit with the elderly as well as do education programs in the local schools with kids from nursery school on up to high school age. NONE of them have breathing problems, luxating patellas, or any of those other issues, nor are they snappy, growly or any way aggressive toward children OR other dogs.
Veterinarians routinely do surgery on kittens and bunnies, animals under one pound, and there are no more surgical risks with these animals anymore than there are with toy breeds of the same size or larger.
The statements you made are all extremely untrue concerning toy breeds and are unfair statements... where are your sources for gathering all this information...statistics on the numbers stepped on or squashed by children, vets who have issues with doing blood draws on them, etc???
There are some pretty horrific horror stories about issues with LARGE BREED dogs out there, health issues, temperament issues, and on and on. That doesn't mean I cringe everytime I see one!
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Farley

Farlekiin the- Dragonborn		 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 30, '12 3:51pm PST 
Ali, Uno's post was regarding "teacup" dogs, not toy breeds..
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Bianca CGC- TT HIC Thd- ♥

What big ears- you have...
 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 30, '12 5:29pm PST 
Twister I had to do that with one of my cats too (measure out a dosage from the Revolution using a syringe with a needle) she was so tiny!
I can't imagine having a dog that small, I would be terrified of someone stepping on it or something falling on the dog, etc... I have poor balance, I'm pretty clumsy and have dizzy spells and I have tripped over, accidentally stepped on and almost fell and landed on my GSD before.
I also can't imagine bringing a dog that small to a dog park!

The smallest dog I've had was a foster, a 9 pound Shih Tzu but he was very solid and stocky for his size, not fragile like some tiny dogs.

Edited by author Mon Apr 30, '12 5:32pm PST

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Penny Mouse- Fart Ayala

I eat, therefore- I am.....		 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 30, '12 9:37pm PST 
OK, lets not all hop on the "Bash small dogs" train. If you prefer larger dogs, good for you and I hope you're very happy with what you have. My last dog was a pitt/basset hound mutt that was 45 lbs of love. I adored her!!! She was smart, kind, affectionate, everything you'd ever want in a dog. She was 14 & 1/2 when she passed and I miss her to this day. The dog I have now is barely 4 lbs. Does this affect in any way how I feel about her? HECK NO!!! I love this tiny girl to peices. Some folks call her a "tea cup" but she's really a normal weight for her breed, Chihuahua. I'll never critisize anyones choice or preference of dog, why bash the tiny babies? I LOVE me some Mastiffs and find pitties irrisistable, but my tiny girl holds my heart in both itty bitty paws. Why not love all dogs?? Just because you don't see the attraction, doesn't mean that others don't either...OK, I get it, tiny isn't your cup of tea, but judgemental isn't mine. Penny is a real dog in every way and the only time she's not on the ground walking is when it's dangerous, as in someone might not see her and step on her. I don't agree with pooping in a purse either (who in thier right mind would) but some prefer tiny, some medium, some large and as long as it's a dog, I LOVE IT!!! And bad breeding is bad breeding, whether it's large or tiny dogs and I think we can agree we're all against bad breeders!!! I love my 4 pound dog!!!
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  (Page 3 of 5: Viewing entries 21 to 30)  
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