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Chihuahuas |
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1. What is a Tea-Cup or Pocket size Chihuahua? These are expressions you sometimes hear from people who know no better. They are usually trying to simply say that their Chihuahua is even smaller than the norm. If you hear it from a pet owner, just nod your head and admire their cute little dog. If however you hear it from a supposed breeder, be instantly suspicious. The only classifications given to Chihuahuas are long or smooth, male or female. Any breeder who implies any different, usually has "more money" as a motive for applying this term to their dog. These pups are usually the runts of the litter, and such are more prone to ill health. Click here to go to our Story Page and read about LeeFlea. The 'Tea-Cup Chihuahua' MythBuyer Beware!Submitted by Allison Rhodes - Reynosa ChihuahuasIf you are seeking a 'Tea-Cup Chihuahua', search no longer, this creature does not exist! The Chihuahua is a small breed of dog, which can be any size up to 6 lb according to the written standard and quite often individuals will exceed this amount. They are not recognised as any more than either a Long Coat or Smooth Coat Chihuahua. A 1kg Chihuahua is very small, but will not fit into a tea-cup. Within the breed there is a great variation of size, just like any other breed of dog and for that matter humans. There are smaller Chihuahuas and larger Chihuahuas, but there are no 'tea-cup Chihuahuas'. Within a litter even, the sizes of individuals when adult can vary considerably from the very small to the very large, so even viewing the parents will not necessarily give an indication of the eventual size of a young pup. When puppies are 8 weeks old, of course they are very small, but they grow and at 8 weeks, no one can tell you what size they will eventually grow to. Most photos of 'Tea-Cup Chihuahuas' are very young pups that will actually fit into a tea-cup. They will not stay this size. Very small Chihuahua pups are possibly that size because of health problems, others though live long healthy lives. It is the ones with health problems that can cause distress to new owners when they either die at a very early age or become a financial burden requiring constant veterinary care. Potential buyers need to be aware of health issues such a hydrocephalus or heart problems. If you really want a very small Chihuahua, you are best to leave buying one until it is at least 4 months old and then even 6 months is better. At this time it should be clear as to their size and health status. When buying a Chihuahua, seek out a breeder registered with the governing body in your state. They will be able to refer you to the appropriate club for information and details on breeders with available pups. (See also the Dogz Online Breeder Listing for registered breeders.) |
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