top of page
Writer's pictureChristin Hardy Sanchez

Teacup Chihuahua myth


Long coat chihuahua puppy
Reynolds, Bellamy x CH Figg

When looking for a chihuahua puppy you will run into the term "teacup chihuahua" quite often. The term is used to describe a chihuahua so small that it could fit into a teacup. The term is used by many toy breeders, not just chihuahuas, to imply their puppies will be extra small which, as you'll hear many say, was not how their adult turned out.


The chihuahua standard states "The Chihuahua is a balanced, graceful dog of terrier-like demeanor, weighing no more than 6 pounds," (https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/chihuahua).

"Teacup," "micro," "pocket-sized," are not in the standard and most breeders who are serious about their program will not use it to describe their puppies or adults. I will some times say "extra small," "teeny," "on the small side of average," when describing a puppy to a potential puppy parent but I will not list or title a puppy thus.


So! Buyer beware: there is no such thing as a "teacup chihuahua" there is only a chihuahua within standard (6 lbs or less) and a chihuahua out of standard (more than 6lbs).

110 views0 comments

Comments


Updated

Dec. 3, 2024

bottom of page