And let's not forget the fashion editors who refer to these dogs as "accessories," (heaven forbid they realize that these are living, breathing, sentient beings!), and all of the teenage girls and fashionistas who want "arm candy" of their very own. I've been preaching the gospel of healthy Toy and Small dogs for a decade or more. "Teacup" is a marketing term used by backyard breeders, puppymills and commercial breeders. There is no such thing as a "Teacup" anything except that from which you drink tea! The responsible, ethical breeders either keep these anomalies, fearing that they will die and they don't want to burden a family with that, or they will give the dog to an experienced person at no charge because they know that the veterinary bills will not be pretty.
Thanks so much for speaking out! It's good to know that others aren't afraid to say something about this horrible situation.
Darlene Arden, CABC, Author/Speaker/Journalist
"Small Dogs, Big Hearts"
"The Angell Memorial Animal Hospital Book of Wellness and Preventive Care for Dogs"

I couldn't agree more. Only thing about Paris" dog is, isn't it a standard sized Chi? I don't think its a breeded down dog. Isn't that way she wanted to get another dog that was smaller because Tinkerbell got too big? Whatever the case, she shouldn't own any animals anyway.

Log your blog. :)

Toy breeds are not the same as miniatures! I have always had pekinese and will always have pekes. Now, that isn't to say the poor darlings haven't been mismanaged by careless breeders who seem only interested in exagerrating certain breed characteristics. For instance:

-- overdoing the coat - You completely lose the lion effect in the woolly worm coat most show dogs present with.
-- overdoing the nose - um.. ancient (2000 year old breed) didn't last by not being able to breathe.
-- overdoing the head - Breed lasting 2000 years now only "safely" delivered by c-section due to exceedlingly large heads - disproportionate of their bodies.

Sorry, modern peke breeders in the US and Canada irk me. The Brits seem a wee bit better, but I love my pekinese and see their continuing mismanagement of the breed standard endangering this wonderfully stubborn and ancient breed's future.

Pax,

MLO

i could not agree more with everything that has been said here. i am the owner of a very small chihuahua who was rescued from a backyard breeder.

when she came to us she was barely five weeks old and she was covered in sores and various other parasites from the wretched condition she was living in. i sat up all night with her the first night and had her at at the vet's office first thing the following morning. even the vet was horrified and i'm sure they see a lot. i got the feeling that he didn't expect her to survive the first few weeks, but thankfully she did.

she's not quite four pounds and she's completely done growing. she always surprizes people with her weight as they assume she only weighs about two pounds or so, if that. she's always cold so she always has to wear sweaters and she has constant breathing problems. we're calling or seeing the vet on a regular basis. apparently, she and her siblings were actually being sold as 'purse puppies' and isn't that the most vile thing you can imagine?

i also have another rescue who's a yorkie mix. she was being advertised at half price because she was going to be too big. she's fully grown and under ten pounds, but she was going to be too large to sell at the outrageous prices. this is truly a disgusting way to make money.

i am always so glad to see pieces of writing like this. personally, i don't think paris hilton should be left alone with a plastic dog, let alone a real one and i know it's absurd to blame her, but really. would we have so many homeless and throwaway chis and other tiny dogs if she and other vapid skanks like her didn't tote these poor little things everywhere like purses? and speaking of purses, i've recently seen several dogs, possibly between five and ten pounds, actually being carried in some device that literally turns them into handbags. it wraps around their bodies and lets their legs swing free. there's a handle on the back. could this industry be more repulsive?

I get sick when I read of these "backyard breeders". I have a 6lb. chi & she had some minor issues but is otherwise healthy. When I look at her precious little face I can't imagine how anyone could harm one of these little sweeties. They require a tremendous amount of care & attention.

All the celebs toting these poor things around are really cruel. Thank God for all the rescuers who so self-lessly give them the comfort & care they deserve.

The fact that people are trying to make these poor dogs so small is just disgusting. Usually to get what is unofficially known as a *teacup chihuwah* you have to breed runts of normal chihuwah litters and this means that the smaller the dog gets, the more problems and illnesses it is prone to. The runt of the litter is often the most attractive and first chosen because it is so adorable but runts should never be bred from. Although I do not really believe in buying puppies from breeders at all nowadays when there are so many abandoned ones looking for homes, if you really insist on breeding then your aim should be to enhance and improve the breed. By breeding runts yes you are downsizing the animal and making it more fashionable (how repulsive) but you are also pretty much paving the way for ill, deformed and generally poor puppies. The chihuwah is small enough as it is! It doesn't NEED to be any smaller. If you want an animal that small resuce a rat or a hamster!

"Look, I would much rather be around a well socialized HAPPY Chi like my so-called "Purse dog" than one that has been sheltered at home, that becomes a "Yappy/Snappy" one person dog with a truly nasty temperment!"

Just like to say I am utterly disgusted by that comment. Animals at shelters only have a tendancy to become *yappy/snappy* because most of the time they have had a traumatic experience or have literally gone mad with the kennel expereice. I work in a rescue center and can assure you that even the friendliest and most obediant animals develop problems. We give them all the care and love and attention possible but I think if you were abandoned and made to live in a run and kennel surrounded by strangers and hundreds of barking dogs, never knowing if your carer was going to come back or if you would ever get a home, you'd get a bit agitated too. Basically you are saying that it's much better to be around a dog that was bought as a puppy and well raised than a rescued animal, and yes it is, of course it often is, but if everyone thought that, the influx of animals in shelters would grow and grow and grow and the amount of abandoned, homeless animals would reach a ridiculous rate. There are specific breed rescues if you are looking for particular breeds so I personally think that everyone should try to rescue before buying a puppy from a breeder.

I think you need to consider WHY the animals are yappy and snappy before you say how horrid they are.

People, Breeders do not BREED chi's down. And they do not breed the runt chihuahua. They are too small to have a baby. And breeders know this. Just because they are a small chihuahua (you get a small pup in any breed) breeders know that the small one could take the trait of their mother or father and have a pup that is much too large. Therefore could and would kill the tiny chi. Sometimes you just get a small-teeny-tiny chihuahua, everyone wants one and everyone cannot have one. Yes they are in higher demand because you don't get them everytime because you cannot down-breed a chihuahua. It just happens. They are teeny tiny chi's.

So stop down talking tiny chi's when that is all that they are, tiny chi's. Just like any breed has a smaller pup, a chihuahua does too. You cannot plan to make them smaller, that's rediculous and all of you should stop saying that just because you "think" that is how they get here because you are upset that they cost so much.

stop being haters!!!

All right listen, I love dogs no matter what the size but since someone in my family doesn't want a big dog we are getting a little one. I get that they have health problems and Paris is an idiot who probably doesn't know how to say anything over three sylables, but not everyone is like that!

You help the dogs when there are health problems not parade it around like a handbag!!!

The poor things aren't accessories and there are people who take better care of the wee dogies, so why do half the people I know either say, "You should get one of those things that make them look like a purse."

Or they might say, "Why would you want that type of dog? There tiny and have to many health problems," I mean it's not like we are asking them to get one so I think they should stop trash talkin' these little chihuahuas.

Ok, I goofed. It is the larger female with a smaller male and then keep down sizing. I get over excited. I worked for a breeder for way too many years and saw way too much. Wire cages messing with the nerves in their tiny little feet. Getting caught in the wires and breaking them and losing circulation and the foot coming off. AND, this was a good Kennel...USDA licensed as if that means much these days. Oh, for the record, I am not a PETA person. I just adore all furry animals. I do work for a Vet, but scared of anything that doesn't have fur like reptiles and such. So thankful he doesn't do exotics. The dog business is just that, if they can make a buck, they do whatever it takes and not always for the good of the breed. I bred SharPei for almost 10 years, small with only one male and 2 female and was right there for each pup and they were brought in daily to play and be part of the family and my little nursery was not but 20 ft away from my door and I could tell you exactly what time each pup was born, how much it weighed, etc. It was a passion for the breed, no fooling with genetics except to better their health. I retired as I wanted to stop before I lost the desire to stay awake for hours to deliver and my pups got the best of Vet care and actually put every dime right back into anything they needed or amde their lives better. They are my babies, not money makers. I kept 2 pups from my last litter, one lost to the food crisis..not proven, but she got very sick, had surgery, did well, came home and ate one of the foods not made by menu. At the Clinic I was taking her home simmered Chicken livers and baked chicken. Thought I was doing good by her by giving her the dogfood with the important vitimans. Anyway, I am not against breeders, there are many very good breeders, but the tiny dogs, fall into the hands of the sometimes not so careful breeders and I ahve seen burn out in breeders and that is when they leave them to fend for themselves during birthing and rearing their babies.

After hurricane Katrina, my mother and I rescued a chihuahua from a supermarket parking lot. After being unsuccessful in finding her family, we named her Quetzalcoatl and decided to keep her. We now live in Denmark and we are concerned because she is one of the unlucky dogs to have been born a so called "tea cup" chihuahua. I am thankful that she found us instead of having gone back to people who have paid money in order to own a smaller sized chihuahua. What should we do about the cold weather? We have several jackets for her that we dress her in when it gets colder, but what should we do about her feet? Her ears? I respect animals very much and I never put her in clothes in order to make her more cute or silly looking. She is a very strong young lady and we care the world for her. Is there any advice that you could give me?

i am gonna apologize for being rude now rather than later.

chihuahua lover:

if you truly love this breed do us all a favor and pause your ignorance long enough to type "teacup chihuahua breeders" into google. check out some of the sites. Breeding is all about genetics and good breeders work hard to keep the good, positive traits in their puppies and carefully breed the bad ones out. bad traits are the aforementioned health issues, bad temperament, and extreme sizes: too big and too small.

yes, there are people who know the health problems of their runty so-called "tiny toy micro palm-sized pocket teacups". there are those who adore their little dogs and put great care into socializing them and making them fit to carry around in handbags and meet strangers without growling. but think of this: FOR EVERY SWEETIE IN A HANDBAG THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF UNFIT PET PARENTS CLAMORING TO BUY ONE JUST LIKE HIM, THINKING THE TINY ONES ARE ALL LIKE THAT ONE GOOD ONE.

I am a groomer. i see these little demon dogs every day. i have been bit by more chi's than i can count and, interestingly enough, i've never met a healthy so-called teacup anything.

as to your ridiculous statement regarding size... here are some prime examples picked up by google within the first page of results. im not putting the links themselves here so ignorant fools who would agree with you don't go buy anything and make a bad situation worse!

<b>1. "My specialty is raising Super Tiny Puppies weighing from 10 ounces to
3 ½ pounds full grown. (NAME REMOVED) Puppies is the Home to SOME OF THE
WORLD SMALLEST DOG AROUND.... I breed my little
angel to be flashy, small in size and also in weight scale."

(from same site):
Tokyo Is a RARE super tiny micro pocket Tea cup Pomeranian puppies.
He is one of the very smallest in the world..This little guy..has a super
sweet heart yet playful and gentle his personality is outstanding. He love
to be held,He is really tiny nothing but fur. 12 week old and weight 9oz
and 3 inch will melt your heart,
Price $3000

2. " OVER 39 Celebrities have purchased their puppies from us." (large tagline on puppy broker's site... do a google for puppy broker! check out Hunte Farms!)

3. "For those of you who are interested in a teacup Chihuahua (tiny toy) we guarantee that your dog will weigh no more than 5 pounds and stand no taller than 9 inches."
</b>

HAS IT EVER OCCURED TO YOU HOW THESE BREEDERS CAN GUARENTEE THEIR PUPPIES SIZES?

do some GD research before you mouth off in public, where people more ignorant than you may take your advice because it's what they want to hear rather than how it truly is!

Yes, smaller dogs do inherently live longer than larger dogs, however if THAT's the standard size of the breed then it's healthy! Just because a chi is 4 lbs doesn't mean it's a teacup with the health issues that go along with it. 4 lbs is the NORMAL size. If you get one that's like 1-2 lbs, then most likely you'll have problems. I've done toy breed rescues and I was usually called upon to adopt the special needs dogs...and guess what, they were considerably smaller that they normal weight for that breed. No reputable breeder would purposely breed down because they no only have love for their dogs, but a respect for the breed's standard. If they are purposely breds to sell "teacups", it's because these abnormally small dogs are regarded as a hot commodity, disposable inventory, that they can try and flip for a profit due to the hype. That's all it is, period. It's too bad this practice is at the expense of loving creatures who are the only ones suffering from greediness if they even live long enough to suffer. I'm not sure what's worse. It's heartbreaking to see them struggle through the issues caused by this, but luckily, most of them don't realize they have serious conditions, bless their hearts.

It was bad enough before, but thanks paris for adding to this problem by showing off tinkerbell as an accessory in scheduled public events. However, as someone said, I think her chi is normal sized and not from a backyard breeder/puppy mill although it still encouraged the gouging prices of "pocket pups."

I am so tired of hearing people complain about these "backyard breeders." I think everyone agrees that most people probably shouldn't breed their own dogs even if they are purebread. Most people don't know enough about their breed (optimum height, weight, health problems etc.) to know how to pair 2 together to make a healthy litter of beautiful puppies. Now, after saying that, some "backyard breeders" do know how to pick two healthy, beautiful dogs and have a successful litter. I came upon this website to find information on teacup chihuahuas. i know there is no such thing technically, but breeders can pair 2 dogs together that have desirable traits to increase the chance that the litter will carry on these traits. this is successful breeding. I don't know enough about the chihuahua breed to purchase one yet. I do however know about breeding labrador retrievers and i was going to get into "backyard breeding" of one litter myself between my yellow and chocolate labs. I waited untill they were both a year and a half and got them OFA checked along with a thorough check for joint health/hip displasia. Both of my labs came out extremely healthy clear of all ailments and i bought them from a backyard breeder. I decided not to breed my dogs because through looking at their akc papers, i found they are 3rd generation cousins who share one family member. i didn't do it so that i could breed as healthy as possible. DONT take a few instances of backyard breeding and apply them to everyone trying to breed dogs.Quit ranking on paris hilton just because you don't have her money. Spay and neuter your dogs if you believe you should but don't pass laws to make us all. If you have a problem with people spendind a lot of money for purebread chihuahuas or advertised teacups then get a mutt at the pound. In a time of extreme dogfighting in this country, out efforts shouldn't go to attacking miss hilton. grow up!

good for you lela i couldn't agree more! good job in socializing your dog it is important especially for a chihuahua!and no one has seen miss hiltons dog being mistreated. Some people worry way to much about paris and her dog.

Ashley, are you so blinded by anger and self promotion that you have misread what people have posted? The only breeders being criticized are IRRESPONSIBLE breeders. Breeders that claim they can guarantee a "teacup" sized dog, or that breed for profit.What happens to the puppies that grow too big, or are born with deformities and other health problems? They contribute to the over crowding at animal shelters if they survive. Millions of dogs are euthanized in these shelters every year because there are more of them than there are available homes. Yes Ashley, they number in the MILLIONS. If you wish to add to the problem and heartbreak then by all means, breed dogs all you wish. I suggest you spend time volunteering at a shelter first however, and experience some of the heartbreak first hand before doing so.

Unfortunately, as Ms. Hilton is a public figure she is a "role model" of sorts for the less educated and vapid among us and therefore many people have emulated her "dog as accessory" ways. She may have well paid "helpers" to care for her tiny dogs and be able to afford the probable vet bills but can everyone? Can you?

And out of curiosity, why did you want to breed your dogs in the first place? Are there not enough homeless Labs in shelters right now?

unbelievable. just because this dog is an unusually small breed doesen't mean people shouldn't be buying it. i mean, if u do some reasearch, buy the proper equipment, and know what to do when your dog gets ill, then there is no reason why not. sure, if you know nothing about it, don't get it, which applies for every dog. however, it is much better to buy them and give them good homes with a lot of love and attention, then keep them in their so called misery. personally, i have done as much reasearch possible, and i love the little teacups, and in no intention will i ever squash it, or harm it in any way. yes, they are expensive, but SO WHAT?? if you are an animal lover, then u won't continue to care about how much breeders are asking, but infact, for the condition the dog is in, and if you want it. if not, then don't buy it. it is rediculous to be making anti-tcup websites. oh, and by the way, THERE IS SUCH THING AS THE TCUP!! hello, whatever the reason for calling it this, for advertising, etc, a tcup is real!! people might be against making it, but honestly, giving the dog a good life should be all that matters. no matter who u get it from, no matter how much you pay, give it what it needs, pay your thousands to the vets, in the end, it's all about what is in the best interest of the dog. with a few people not buying the dogs, u don't fix the problem. there are many tcup lovers, and i am one of them, and no one can really raise awareness. so, infact, the best thing is, buy them, give them a good home and a wonderfull life. and paris hilton might be the worst, most selfish person to walk on the face of the planet, but she DOES treat her dog well. i don't know of a single dog that wouldn't want to be in tinkerbell's position. she seems like she treats the dog fine, and she has enough money to care properly for it. no matter what, i will always love this breed. and no, i am not narrow minded, nor selfish. there is nothing wrong with liking a breed, and there is nothing wrong with spoiling your dog into purses and shopping. this website is a joke. people, if u care so much for this breed, stop making anti tcup websites, and start making websites on how to properly care for your tcup, because the facts are, no matter what u say, the breed is adorable, and u can't make people think otherwise.

I am an animal lover. I've volunteered at animal shelters and adopted my own Husky from a non-profit rescue organization. I am ALSO a fashion student. I take extreme offence to some of the comments made in this article and subsequent posts. For example:

"The only other subject that gets me going quite so hotly is the sale of these teacup pups in retail outlets designed to lure the fashionable and uneducated (human traits not mutually exclusive, I’d hasten to opine)."

To imply that fashionable people are generally uneducated is silly and narrow-minded. I'm not sure what one has to do with the other. I do not (in any way) support the breeding or distribution of these so-called "teacups", nor any of the other currently trendy breeds (like the "fashion breeds" cropping up, which are no more special than your average "PomChis" or "Shi-poos"). I'm not sure why you would think that hurling insults at the fashion-conscious somehow strengthens your article. Real fashion and backyard breeding are not related. The sick people who carry their dogs around in bags 24/7 (probably causing muscle degeneration or something, although I can't claim I know much about veterinary medicine) are NOT partaking in fashion trends, they are participating in social trends started by imbeciles like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.

"And let's not forget the fashion editors who refer to these dogs as "accessories," (heaven forbid they realize that these are living, breathing, sentient beings!)..."

As for the above statement, why don't you (Darlene) provide a link to a reputable fashion magazine that ever supported using dogs as accessories? I need evidence to buy into this claim. Trust me, I'm required to read fashion magazines often to stay current and I have never once seen a statement even insinuating that pets make good accessories. Once again, leave the fashion industry out of it and place the blame on the real culprits: puppy mills and the pet stores that sell "teacups". It can even be argued that many of the individuals who purchase such pets are devoid of blame, since most of them are likely (truly) uneducated in the process involved in retailing a teacup (some of the previous posts prove this).

I don't mean to "rag" on you incessantly; I just think it's a shame that you let bigoted comments like this spoil an otherwise eloquent, interesting and informative article!

Darlene,

I'm not denying those terms ("arm candy" and "accessories") have been used in general; what I am disputing is their use in TRUE fashion magazines (I'm not talking about general interest magazines or celebrity gossip rags). What is it about the terminology that convinces people that this awful trend was concoted by someone in the fashion industry? Trends like these are products of unscrupulous individuals looking to make money at any cost. Maybe I have a better understanding of what the fashion industry is truly comprised of than your average person, but I just want to clear these misconceptions up. People who call these poor animals "accessories" are not necessarily representatives of the fashion industry (in the sense that they are probably not educated in fashion design/marketing and are probably not employed by the "fashion industry" but by the"entertainment industry").

I agree wholeheartedly with your statement about the demand for these dogs. But again, this has nothing to do with fashion. Truly. These are sad, misguided souls who are much more likely to be influenced by Paris Hilton than Chanel or Balenciaga...see what I mean?

Obviously the uneducated aren't doing the proper research...I wasn't personally defending their innocence, but an argument could be made...In my personal opinion, they ARE partly to blame for avoiding the research necessary to make a smart decision about purchasing a pet. But then, doesn't that just stem from ignorance as well? It would be easier to control the retailers, I think. Why isn't it feasible to have regulations in place that require pet stores to ensure a customer is properly educated about pet ownership and the specific breed before selling them a pet? If the animal shelters can employ these techniques, why not stores?

In the end, I do not disagree with you or Dr. K regarding anything either of you wrote about the "teacup" situation. You are both undeniably intelligent, well-informed people and I have nothing personal against either one of you at all. I just wish people could stop seeing this as some sick fashion trend; I assure you, this has no place in fashion at all. Teacup pooches are akin to the newest XBox or iPod; the trend was not borne of someone like Alexander McQueen.

I also wish the hype would just end. I've seen too many bimbos carrying shivering little creatures - or accidentally dropping them! How do you resist the urge to shout at these idiots when you see them?

With kind regards,

EF

I love my Sophia Bonita Chiquita Chihuahua. She is a healthy 8lbs and I have bred her several times. She is cranky when she is pregnant...aren't we all. My stud male Arnie Timon, because he resembles the miercat (however it is spelled) in The lion king and the ones featured in specials on Animal Planet. He was obviously a runt he is only 3 lbs and is the sweetest little male ever!!! I chose him (ie rescued him from illprepared owners), and decided to breed him with my Sophia as he displayed the best temperment of any dog Ive ever owned. Also because he was so much smaller than Sophie NOT for getting tiny tiny dogs but for her safety. I would never want my baby harmed. She has never needed 2 have a c-section I have assited her in birth by removing sack and severing umbilical cord only because the breeder whom I bought from suggested it since she has lost babies due to the fact that the mother severed the umbilicus to closely and the pups had died. I have lost 2 babies natural selection I assumed though I mourned them and still wonder if I could have done anything different. 10 healty pups so far. I only wanted to share the love and enjoyment I get from my dogs and let my friend and family enjoy my awesome tempermented dogs as well. I always get comments on how nice and not yappy and friendly my dogs are compared to their past experience. I have had to take back 2 male pups as the owners were not prepared for the specific challenges of owning males. I feel I have been very responsible and have enjoyed the comments on this site. I learned alot. I would like to keep breeding but I now have a greater appreciation for the concerns out there. I would love to have a "retirement home" for chihuahuas someday and a rescue for people that "love their dogs" but are in over their head. Chi's are an extremly expensive dog to own and care for properly...proper vetrinary care, dental care and regular cleanings are crucial to longevity (double canines are common and can abcess if not removed causeing sores on their faces and infection, and time and attention . They want to be lap dogs and loved they want sunshine and fresh air. I try to school and screen all my buyers or I wont sell to them. I was curious about "breeding down" but now thanks to this website and some others realize that my tiny ones are just runts and I discourage breeding them at all if they love their dog. All dogs are a lifetime commitment and if you are not ready to commit to them as if they were your own child you should not buy a chi. I always have felt that it would be more humane to put down a chi than abandon them (breaking their little loyal hearts) or give them to someone that is not commited to take care of them properly. I hope this will help prospective buyers to really b sure they know what they are getting into before they buy. I would also think that breeders like myself dont breed for money if you really are taking care of your animals I probably break even. I sell mine for $450 locally to people I know. I "sell" them so people will think and value my babies and really want them. I wont sell at Christmas or Valentines just for a gimicky gift either.You dont "gift" a dog. That is a recipe for disaster as far as Im concerned. I sell to established families who preferably have a small dog already and know what they are in for.I never have bought from a store or from a "mill" just private owners who love their dogs and the dogs mostly have ruled their owners. I for one have put in all "water proof" flooring so that I dont get frusterated with accidents. My dogs have heated beds with a heat lamp incase they r cold or want sunshine in these cold winter months. All in all I LOVE MY DOGS!!! I hope and trust that most breeders like myself feel the same and put the dogs first.