Are you looking to own a small dog? Then you might want to look no further than these 10 adorable toy dogs. These dogs are known to love sitting in laps and they are wonderful companions for older folks, TheDogPeople report. Tea cup dogs have become a hot commodity across social media, and while they are very cute, they can have serious and potentially fatal health problems due to unethical breeding practices, PetMD notes. The latter half of this article will be devoted to that.
With that in mind, toy dogs are an excellent choice for anyone living in apartments because they don’t require a large yard to keep them happy. And if you like taking your pooch wherever you go, these little pooches are just the right size!
Yorkshire terriers are the very definition of adorable. Image license CC SA 3.0 by MervinGSU via Wikimedia Commons
Something To Keep In Mind About Tea Cup Dogs:
Even though they are very popular, breeding for the very smallest sized tea cup dogs isn’t a good idea, because it can lead to extremely serious health problems. Rather than searching specifically for these tiny dogs, it’s better to look to responsible breeders for the small breeds listed below.
Without further ado, here are 10 adorable tiny dogs we think you’ll fall in love with.
1. The Brussels Griffon
This handsome little dog has an adorable beard! Image license CC SA 3.0 by Dan9186 via Wikimedia Commons
There are three different breeds of this micro pooch — the red wire-haired Bruxellois, the black wire-haired Griffon Belge, and the Petit Brabançon. Originally bred to hunt rats, these little dogs weigh between 7-12 pounds. The Brussels Griffon is known to be lively, affectionate and intelligent.
2. Yorkshire terrier
A dark-coated Yorkie pup. Image license CC SA by Eric Chan via Wikimedia Commons
Like the Brussels Griffon, Yorkies were also bred to hunt rats. Their fur has a lovely sheen and when it’s cut to make them look like teddy bears they are just about cute as can be. These pooches are lovable lap dogs, but they are also smart as whips and lively. They do best in families with older children because they can be easily overwhelmed if kids get too rambunctious.
3. Morkshire Terrier
Adorably fluffy Morkie terrier. Image license CC SA 3.0 by Mckelvcm via Wikimedia Commons
Small enough to fit in one’s handbag, the Morkie is a hybrid between a Yorkshire terrier and a Maltese terrier. These affectionate, brash little dogs love plenty of attention. But like their Yorkie relatives, they do best in a family with older kids. And small dogs like this can also easily be injured by larger boisterous dogs, so that’s something to also keep in mind.
4. Japanese Chin
The Japanese Chin is an ancient breed. Image license CC SA 3.0 by Frei Sein via Wikimedia Commons
Weighing between four to seven pounds, the Japanese Chin has long been associated with the nobility in their home country. They have a feline grace that is distinctly unlike most tiny dogs. They have a quiet bearing and are lovable, intelligent little dogs who love a warm lap.
5. Chihuahua
A trio of cute Chihuahua puppies. Image license CC Attribution 2.0 by Toronja Azul via Wikimedia Commons
This pocket-sized pooch has a personality that’s bigger than it is, and the Chihuahua is the national dog of Mexico. It is among the oldest dog breeds in the Americas. The lineage of this little dog extends all the way back to pre-Colombian civilizations. In general, it weighs six pounds or less and comes in both long and short-haired varieties. It’s a confident, adorable dog that thinks it’s a big dog in disguise.
6. Toy Fox Terrier
How cute is this Toy Fox Terrier? Image license CC SA 3.0, 2.5 Generic, 2.0 Generic, and 1.0 Generic by Jagrolet via Wikimedia Commons
Also originally bred to hunt rats, the Toy Fox Terrier stands less than one foot tall. This dog is a keenly intelligent seven-pound bundle of feisty cuteness. These lovable dogs make excellent guardians but even though they are small dogs with big personalities, they are still fragile, just like most toy dogs. Children should be taught to play responsibly with them. Toy Fox Terriers are also instinctive hunters so it’s a good idea to keep them on a leash to keep them from chasing birds and squirrels.
7. Papillon
Those ears! Image license CC Attribution 2.0 by Jen Smith via Wikimedia Commons
Originally from France, the Papillon was once owned by Marie Antoinette, the country’s last queen, Animal Planet reports. It’s said that she carried her little dog with her to the guillotine, but fortunately, it survived the revolution even if the queen didn’t. Their origins actually go further back than that — to the 1500s. This dog usually weighs less than nine pounds. It’s blessed with a cheerful personality; it’s quite playful and loves children. And they are perfectly happy to be inside the house.
8. Pomeranian
Such a beautiful, tiny face. Image license CC SA 3.0 by Sannse via Wikimedia Commons
Pomeranians, or Poms as they are often called, are really tiny. At most, they stand about seven inches tall or less and generally weigh less than seven pounds. Looking like mini-foxes, Poms are loved by royals and commoners alike. And they certainly don’t disappoint. They have a luxurious double coat that comes in more than two dozen colors. Poms are vivacious and make good watchdogs. And they are perfectly happy to exercise indoors but also love to walk when they have the chance. Like all toy dogs, they do well with older kids.
9. Toy Poodle
This toy poodle looks jaunty in this sweater. Image license CC0 by mschiffim via Pixabay
One of the world’s most popular dog breeds, poodles have earned the unfair reputation of being “sissy” dogs — thanks to all those fancy coiffures they have been given over the years. But make no mistake, toy poodles smart little dogs with an athletic agility. They learn quickly and like paying attention to their owners. Toy poodles actually need mental stimulation, such as games of hide-and-seek or fetching favorite toys. This is a breed that needs attention, and they definitely need daily attention. Another nice plus about these tea cup dogs is that they do well with other dogs and cats.
10. Bichon Frise
An adorable mop of Bichon Frise. Image license Public Domain by Robeddywiki via Wikimedia Commons
The Bichon has a gentle nature and makes an excellent family dog. Even so, this dog has been known to snap at kids on occasion, so very small children should be supervised. It’s earned a reputation for being easy to housebreak and train. Bichons aren’t as likely to bark like other dogs. They are also often recommended for people who have allergies but want a dog, HillsPet reports. Since they weigh 12 pounds or less and don’t require much exercise, they can be perfectly happy in an apartment.
The hard truth about tea cup dogs
Does this tea cup Yorkie have health problems? Image license CC0 by laurampr via Pixabay
The dogs I listed above don’t fall within the classic “tea cup” size, and there’s a good reason for that. Tea cup dogs are bred to be as tiny as possible, often weighing five pounds or less, PetMD reports. Breeders pair the “runts” of litters, notes Dr. Kathy Meeks, a group medical director at Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners in Tampa, Florida. Sometimes the dogs that are selected have birth defects or a medical condition and that’s why they are so small.
“Health risks for these tiny dogs are significant,” says Dr. Judy Morgan, a holistic veterinarian and author of numerous books. “This is not a natural breeding situation. It is an unnatural practice by breeders looking for a marketing edge.”
These little dogs can suffer serious health risks. This includes hypoglycemia, heart defects, seizures, a collapsing trachea, respiratory and digestive problems, and blindness. They can also suffer from liver shunts due to breeding practices, Meeks said. A liver shunt is a congenital birth defect that affects the liver’s ability to rid the body of toxins. Surgery to repair this can cost as much as $6,000.
By forcing these dogs to become so unnaturally small, unscrupulous breeders are only interested in profit. I’ve included the video below because it does an excellent job explaining the serious and potentially fatal problems these dogs face.
Featured image license CC 2.0 by Jenn Smith via Wikimedia Commons
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