Teacup dogs have gained popularity over the past few decades because of their tiny size and adorable looks. These miniature fluffballs stay small forever and make ideal pets for individuals living in confined spaces like apartments.
Having personalities similar to their breed standard counterparts, teacup dogs weigh only 4 to 6 pounds and stand around 9 inches at the shoulder, as noted by Britannica. Teacup dogs are not recognized by the American Kennel Club because some breeders follow unethical breeding practices to achieve the small size.
Do You Know? Teacup dog breeds can sleep up to 14 hours a day on average.
They are prized by dog lovers due to their liveliness, affection, and portability. However, their small size comes with lots of health issues. Choosing the right teacup dog breed is tricky, as each one has its unique personality and traits.
Have a look at the top 9 teacup breeds that make loving companions.
Best Teacup Dog Breeds That Bring Joy And Companionship
1. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies are the feisty old-time terriers weighing no more than seven pounds. This small dog breed is known for its affectionate nature and playful spirit. Teacup Yorkies love snuggling with their loved ones and make cheerful companions.
Behavior around Children
Yorkies get along well with children, but are fragile and prone to accidental injuries. Supervision is required for boisterous children. These vocal dogs bring love, laughter, and companionship to your home.
Exercise Needs
Teacup Yorkies are active and vigilant dogs who need moderate exercise to stay fit. A walk twice a day and indoor play sessions using their favorite toys are enough to keep their minds and bodies healthy.
Coat Care
Yorkies are hypoallergenic dogs that shed minimally, making them perfect for allergy sufferers. These pawsome pals have a long and shiny coat that requires regular grooming and weekly baths.
2. Toy Poodle
Poodles are known for their intelligence and agility. Their athleticism and sociability make them ideal family pets. Teacup Poodles weigh no more than 6 pounds and stand around 9 inches tall. According to the American Kennel Club, these pooches are agile and smart.
Behavior around Children
Teacup Poodles behave nicely with kids and make them smile with their playful antics. Lots of excitement and yelling from smaller children can scare your teacup Poodle. They are neither aggressive nor have a high prey drive.
Exercise Needs
Teacup Poodles have moderate energy levels and need regular exercise to stay fit. Exercise can include two short walks a day that last around 15 minutes each. They love playing with their humans and their favorite toys.
Coat Care
Poodles have a low-shedding hypoallergenic coat that needs to be brushed a few times a week. They also require professional grooming from time to time.
3. Shih Tzu
Teacup Shih Tzus are known for their charming and outgoing personalities. These adorable mutts are friendly and affectionate and love spending time with their favorite humans. Shih Tzus are intelligent dogs who learn new things quickly.
Behavior around Children
Due to their sweet disposition, teacup Shih Tzus love spending time with kids. These mischievous canines make wonderful playmates, but are too small and fragile. Therefore, kids must be taught to treat them nicely.
Exercise Needs
Athletic and energetic Shih Tzus require daily exercise. Take your Shih Tzu out on walks at least twice a day, but make sure the walk is not too long. You can also engage them in play sessions at home or let them play with other dogs at dog parks.
Coat Care
Shih Tzus have long and smooth coats that do not shed much, according to PetMD. However, a fair amount of grooming is required to keep the fur in a top–notch condition.
4. Maltese
Maltese are the gentle and charming dogs with a playful demeanor. Originally bred thousands of years ago, they look like a cloud gliding seamlessly along the floor. Maltese are happy to make new friends with people of all ages and make paw-fect family dogs.
Behavior around Children
One of the gentlest dog breeds, the Maltese does immensely well around children. We recommend them for families with older kids, because young kids could accidentally hurt the dog.
Exercise Needs
Maltese like to play, but are not overly energetic. A daily walk, romp in the yard, or indoor play session, including games of fetch, provides enough exercise for the dog.
Coat Care
Teacup Maltese have a single-layered silky coat that is long enough to touch the floor. It is suitable for allergy sufferers but requires extensive grooming if kept long. Some owners also prefer a “puppy cut” for their Maltese for easy maintenance.
5. Pomeranian
Pomeranians were bred to herd animals and pull sleds, but they later became popular as lapdogs. These lively and bold canines look like foxes, as per the American Kennel Club. Poms are the Spitz-type dogs who make excellent watchdogs and perky pets for families.
Behavior around Children
Teacup Pomeranians get along well with children, provided that the kids can differentiate between a toy dog and a toy.
Exercise Needs
These extroverted, playful, and intelligent pooches need sufficient exercise to stay healthy and content. During their alone time, you can provide them with puzzle toys and treat dispensers.
Coat Care
Poms have fluffy coats that get feathery around necks and tails. Their double-layered, thick coats change color as they grow from puppies into adults. The fur needs to be brushed at least three times a week to remove loose fur and prevent tangles.
6. Pekingese
These tiny dogs were bred for dwarfism, so they have short legs that keep them close to the ground. Teacup Pekingese are affectionate and loyal dogs known for their outgoing personalities. They are intelligent, adorable, and form deep connections with their humans.
Behavior around Children
Teacup Pekingese are quite alert and can tolerate kids, but won’t stand for a lot of roughhousing. So, we do not recommend them for houses with young kids.
Exercise Needs
Amusing and comforting their humans is the purpose of their life. Pekes are relaxed most of the time, but need to be exercised daily. They enjoy taking part in canine sports at their own pace. Do not over-exercise your Pekingese, as it is a brachycephalic breed, prone to respiratory issues.
Coat Care
Teacup Pekingese have a thick double coat, which requires maintenance. Show dogs have a long coat that needs extensive attention, whereas pet Pekingese have shorter and easier-to-maintain coats, but they still need grooming, explains Hill’s Pet.
7. Japanese Chin
Japanese Chin are loyal, loving, and charming dogs. These amusing canines have bright and graceful personalities, making them perfect lapdogs. Chins are the fastidious dogs having a cat-like demeanor. They are devoted to their family members and make good watchdogs due to their protective nature.
Behavior around Children
Japanese Chin are good with children, especially when raised together. However, due to their small size and delicate build, they are better suited for homes with older kids.
Exercise Needs
These cuties are moderately energetic and are a great fit for apartment dwellers due to their small size. They only need a daily walk for exercise and love to enjoy indoor play sessions. Chins can learn new tricks and excel at obedience training. Japanese Chin are brachycephalic, so do not over-exercise them.
Coat Care
Their moderately shedding coat needs to be brushed twice a week. Occasional bathing also helps keep the coat clean.
8. Silky Terrier
These keenly alert and friendly dogs are known for their glossy coats and compact size. Silky Terriers are loving towards their family members and bark to alert them or to get their attention. Small and silky, these terrier dogs tend to chase small animals.
Behavior around Children
Silky Terriers are great with children, especially if they are socialized and well-trained from an early age. They do best in households with respectful older children.
Exercise Needs
Silky Terriers are energetic dogs who need more exercise than other toy dogs. They need human partners who know the right way to channel their energy into physical activity and training. Due to high prey drive, it is better to keep Silkies on a leash or inside a fenced area.
Coat Care
Brush your Silky Terrier’s hair twice a week using a pin brush or a soft bristle brush. If left unattended, tangles and mats can form that are uncomfortable for your pup.
9. English Toy Spaniel
Playful and gentle, English Toy Spaniels were bred to accompany kings. These adorable lapdogs are known for their bright, loving, and eager-to-please personalities. ETS are the willful canines, extremely discriminating in their choice of friends.
Behavior around Children
English Toy Spaniels are loving towards kids who love them. They are innocent, but tend to protect them against rough behavior. Due to being fragile, they are well-suited for older kids.
Exercise Needs
Their personality is a mix of quiet, reserve, and merriment. ETS offer laidback companionship, but will happily join you for a game of fetch. Daily exercise needs can be met with short walks and indoor play time.
Coat Care
Their silky coat requires daily brushing to prevent mats and tangles. Monthly baths let you keep your Spaniel’s coat silky and fresh-smelling.
Conclusion
Teacup dogs are prized by dog lovers due to their small size and adorable looks. They have charming, loving, and playful personalities. These little dogs form strong bonds with their owners and are well-suited for apartment living.
If you are looking for a big package in a compact dog, you should bring home a teacup pup. However, before adopting these tiny pooches, make sure the breeders have followed safe breeding practices to breed them.
