No one can resist an “aww” when looking at a Teacup Poodle. The breed closely resembles fluffy stuffed animals.
It’s practically a ball of energy with lots of love to share. Its strut alone is enough to warm your heart.
Besides that, Teacup Poodles are a result of inbreeding tiny Toy Poodles. The best part about them is that they can fit everywhere.
They’re ideal apartment dogs but not family pets. Children tend to play rough, which isn’t the best for your fragile friend.
Stick around to learn more about Teacup Poodles and what it takes to own one.
History
Unlike other Poodle variations, the American Kennel Club (AKC) doesn’t officially recognize Teacup Poodles. The breed started as a Standard Poodle. Back then, German hunters used it to retrieve ducks.
Over time, breeders bred the Poodle to become more compact. The smallest recognized breed is the Toy Poodle. Teacup Poodles came after being selectively mated with the Toy variation. The result is a tiny companion that can easily fit in your handbag.
Appearance
Teacup Poodles have triangle-shaped faces fitted with a proportionate muzzle. They have one of the tiniest frames in the world.
It closely resembles a teddy bear with stubby legs. Plus, it has an adorable button-brown nose and warm-toned eyes. Meanwhile, their ears are long and look delightful when swung back from the wind.
Size
Teacup Poodles can’t grow past nine inches, making them ideal for apartment living. Thanks to their portable size, you can practically take them anywhere.
Weight
Teacup Poodles can weigh as little as only a couple of pounds. At most, they usually weigh about six pounds.
Color
The Poodle variety comes in diverse shades. You won’t be able to spot a Parti variation. Aside from that, here are more commonly found colors below.
- White
- Gray
- Apricot
- Black
- Brown
- Beige
Facts
Are you thinking of owning a Teacup Poodle? Check out some facts below to know more about the cute breed.
They’re Leaders
Despite their small stature, Teacup Poodles have a fierce affinity towards leadership. The dog may often exude dominance and establish itself as a leader.
Nevertheless, you’ll want to avoid that since it can lead to behavioral issues. In other words, it’ll be harder to control the little Poodle, even though it’s the size of your palms.
They’re Registered
Multiple breed registries don’t identify a Teacup Poodle as an official breed. Nonetheless, the Dog Registry of America Inc. recognizes the Poodle variation, and you can officially register your dog there.
They’re Not Mixed
Teacup Poodles are not a mixed breed. Instead, breeders oversaw careful breeding selection between small-sized Toy Poodles. Even though it’s not a crossbreed, Teacup Poodles are still not purebred. The dog doesn’t meet the breed standards set by the AKC to be considered purebred.
Care Requirements
Fortunately, Teacup Poodles are relatively low-maintenance. You mainly need to focus on their grooming practice. Besides that, their exercise and diet are a breeze.
Diet
Teacup Poodles don’t require a lot of intake in terms of size. Nonetheless, they need lots of nutrients to maintain a healthy body.
Puppyhood
Puppies can eat around 40 to 55 calories for each pound of their body weight. Subsequently, a two-pound Poodle may need about 80 to 110 calories daily. Alternatively, you can free-feed your Teacup Poodle.
Luckily, the breed is mindful and not motivated by food as much as other dogs. That said, puppies will benefit more from dry kibble. It’ll strengthen their dental health and ease their digestion.
We suggest browsing for organic puppy formulas. Try your best to avoid kibble with added preservatives and fillers.
Adulthood
As a general rule of thumb, dogs should consume 25 to 30 calories per pound of body weight. In the Teacup’s case, it’ll need about 150 to 180 calories, 250 at most. You can easily supply that amount.
Your main concern is incorporating healthy fats, carbs, and other nutrients into the tiny portion. For instance, add vegetables like spinach, green beans, and carrots.
Protein-wise, we suggest chicken, lamb, and veal. Fish is also an exceptional addition since it integrates omega-3 fatty acids into your dog’s diet.
You can enrich your Poodle’s diet with antioxidants by giving them fruity snacks. Blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries are all suitable options.
Exercise
Teacup Poodles don’t require long hours of exercise to remain in shape. The activity will mainly help in controlling behavioral issues. Plus, it’ll keep them from resorting to destructive behavior.
You can give your Teacup Poodle about 20 to 30 minutes of exercise daily. Split the routine into three to two ten-minute intervals to keep your Poodle physically stimulated throughout the day.
Keep things interesting by going on park visits and swimming sessions. The prior will help your Poodle socialize with other dogs at an early age.
Unless you can carry the Teacup Poodle in your bag, we suggest avoiding hiking through long and strenuous trails. Even though its ancestors were waterfowl retrievers, your tiny Poodle can barely hold rodents.
Grooming
The best part about owning a Teacup Poodle is that it rarely sheds. Subsequently, the dog is ideal for allergy-stricken owners. The breed has hair rather than fur.
In turn, its hair grows like ours, and they need to get a professional groom every six weeks. Otherwise, they’ll resemble a ball of poof.
Groomers can offer you a variety of Teacup hairstyles. If you want it to look forever young, pick a puppy cut. Besides haircuts, Poodles need a daily brush.
Poodles usually require a brush every day or every other day. Since Teacup Poodles are small, you can get away with two to three brushing sessions weekly. Don’t skip these sessions because it’ll prevent any fussy knots which could lead to matting.
Bathing
Teacup Poodles need a bath at least every three weeks. You’ll want to clean out their ears and eyes to avoid future infections during bath time.
We suggest opting for a low-sulfate shampoo when washing their hair. That way, it’ll keep their coat well-moisturized. Before wetting the hair, be sure to detangle it thoroughly.
It’ll help distribute all the accumulated natural oils in the Poodle’s skin. Afterward, you can wet and scrub the shampoo in their hair. Rinse and repeat the process until the coat is clean.
Then, you can apply a bit of conditioner to keep their curls intact and well-defined. Next, rinse and gently towel dry your petite pet.
Temperament
Teacup Poodles enjoy being the center of attention. Consequently, they love the praise because of their people-pleasing temperament. In addition, the elegant breed has a robust but loyal personality.
The breed will try its best to protect its loved ones. In turn, it always remains on alert. It also tends to develop separation anxiety when given too much alone time.
Since it’s an intelligent breed, it needs consistent mental stimulation. Otherwise, it may show destructive tendencies. Apart from that, Teacups are lively little things and perfect companions.
Socialization
Teacup Poodles are cautious dogs and need to warm up to strangers. For this reason, socialization at an early age can make them more comfortable around others.
Besides that, Teacup Poodles may not do well as family dogs. Their tiny frames aren’t strong enough to handle rough play from young kids.
Plus, children can be loud, making your Poodle more nervous and prone to barking. Overall, Teacup Poodles are better suited for adult care and not as family pets.
Barking
There are a lot of reasons why your Teacup can’t stop barking. It could be separation anxiety, meeting new people, or loud sounds.
Luckily, the outspoken breed is trainable, and you can condition them to stop barking too much. To do so, you first need to investigate why they’re barking and mitigate the issue.
For instance, if it feels the presence of strangers, you can train it to be more sociable. You can expose it to other pets or new people as puppies. Alternatively, if your Teacup is only barking for attention, ignore it.
Giving it the satisfaction of a reaction will only make things worse. Additionally, it’ll make them more spoiled and feel dominant. You can train your Poodle to follow the quiet command to keep it in line.
Training
As clever dogs, Teacup Poodles thrive in training sessions. They love learning new commands and tricks to please you. You can trace their intelligence back to their ancestor’s circus days.
Since your Poodle will get a professionally cut on the reg, you can train them to behave well at the groomer. You also need to provide them with sociability training.
Basic training is also critical. Commands, such as learning how to sit or fetch, will ease you into obedience methods. Speaking of which, positive reinforcement should be your go-to.
You can reward your Teacup with a small treat or kind words and pats. Alternatively, you can take the clicker training route. It’s easy to implement and breeds successful results.
Health Considerations
Before considering a Teacup Poodle purchase, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with their health considerations.
Life Expectancy
Teacup Poodles can live approximately between 12 to 14 years.
Health Complications
Teacup Poodles are delicate pets. For this reason, they’re vulnerable to certain health complications. Here are some of them below.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is an inherited eye illness. It affects your pet’s night vision and can lead to blindness. The disease causes no pain but doesn’t have any effective treatment.
You can help your Poodle adjust to the ailment by using a leash to guide them and exclusively using verbal commands.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia translates to low blood sugar levels. The health issue occurs when your Teacup isn’t well-fed.
The clinical signs of hypoglycemia include vomiting, lack of appetite, and weakness. You can avoid this drop by timing its meals well. Observe your Poodle well, especially during their puppy years.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism comes from underactive thyroid glands. The slow activity restricts the dog’s metabolic rate. Consequently, your Teacup may experience weight gain, hair loss, or lethargy.
Addison’s Disease
Addison’s Disease commonly affects Poodles. It results in a cortisol deficiency from the body attacking its adrenal glands. Treatment involves hormone replacement therapy, which lasts a lifetime.
Price
Teacup Poodles run a little high in terms of price. It could be because it’s difficult to breed them and their costly care. Learn more below.
From Breeder
You can expect to drop around $2,000 to $2,500 for a Teacup puppy. It can even cost as high as $5,000. High demand and low supply have increased the breed’s price.
Accordingly, the Poodle can only come out with one or two litters. When searching for a breeder, try to get a referral from a vet or close friend. You’ll get a reputable recommendation and avoid unethical breeding practices.
After finding a breeder, you’ll want to contact them and set up an appointment. Agree to meet within the breeding facility. That way, you can inspect the area and the dog’s conditions to ensure it’s up to standard.
Be sure to ask for the necessary documents. They could include the Teacup Poodle’s family tree and medical history. Lastly, you should sign a document asking you to return the dog if you’re unfit to care for it.
From Adoption Agency
Teacup Poodles are challenging to locate at adoption agencies. The designer dogs’ high demand makes them difficult to adopt. Aside from that, you never know. Some Teacups could turn up in a rescue facility.
Final Thoughts
It’s hard not to smile when you see a Teacup Poodle. Their perky attitude is contagious. The breed’s love language is quality time.
It loves its owner’s company because of its fierce loyalty. So much so that it can develop separation anxiety when left alone.
If you live in a compact space and are looking for a furry friend, Teacups are your best bet. Just be sure to train them at an early stage to avoid barking.
Whether it’s bath time or playing fetch, there’s never a dull moment with your fun-size friend.