a rift

moreanimalia:

Teacup dogs

1. Teacup dogs are the result of questionable breeding practices

The issues with these dogs begin before they are even born. Teacup dogs can naturally occur as “runts of the litter,” but more often they’re the product of intentionally breeding two undersized dogs. Because the mother dog is so small, she can only whelp a couple of puppies at most and there’s a greatly increased chance of complications. In other words, breeding teacups is extra risky for both the mother and the puppies.

That’s not the worst of it though. Because the dogs are in high demand and can sell for thousands of dollars, there’s a huge incentive for unethical breeders to produce these dogs any way they can. This could include breeding dogs that are closely related, or even deliberately stunting a puppy’s growth through starvation or other revolting methods.

Fraud is another issue. There is no officially recognized teacup breed, and typically no guarantee that the tiny puppy you get from the breeder won’t grow up to be a standard-sized dog. It’s all too easy for someone to pass a puppy off as a bonafide teacup when it’s really just a few weeks younger than advertised.

Of course, with any dog breed, there are going to be irresponsible breeders. However, because many reputable dog breeders refuse to sell teacups, this market in particular is wide open for sleazebags.

2. Teacup dogs suffer from a litany of health problems

Every breed is prone to certain diseases and disorders, but the list of issues for teacups is long and severe. In one category, there are health issues directly related to their unnaturally small size. In another, there are problems that come from inbreeding and other sketchy practices of backyard breeders. Thanks to all of these issues, teacups as a group don’t live as long as their normal-sized counterparts.

No article about teacup breeds can fail to mention hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can cause seizures and death if not carefully monitored. Many teacups have to be fed several times a day (or more) precisely for this reason. Even when they don’t suffer from life-threatening conditions like this, they often have digestive troubles that are a chore to manage.

Other common health issues include liver shunts, hydrocephalus (water on the brain), heart problems, and respiratory problems. Anyone considering a teacup should factor in the potential for higher-than-normal vet bills – not to mention all the frustration and heartbreak that comes with owning a chronically ill pet.

3. Teacup dogs are too fragile for this world

If you’ve ever lived with a small dog, you know that they’re often just big enough to get on and off the couch (in fact, older dogs often need help). Now imagine the couch is two or three times its size. Welcome to the world of the teacup dog.

Micro dogs are easily injured, especially when jumping or dropped from heights. This makes them a singularly horrible choice for families with young children, who will naturally want to carry around the adorable little critter (a tragedy waiting to happen). Other dogs – particularly big dogs – can also inadvertently harm a teacup dog.

Like all small dogs, teacups also have a tendency to get underfoot. The difference is, you’re less likely to see them, and more likely to cause an injury when you kick or step on them.

Photo and info [source]

And someone’s experience with a teacup dog, having bought one without prior research.