“Teacup” Chihuahuas Are a Scam

Every time I pick up a local paper or check out my local online ads, I see some variation of the same listing: “Teacup Chihuahuas. AKC registered. $250 OBO.” These “teacup” pups are heavily sought-after by prospective pet owners hoping to find the tiniest dogs on the market. The“teacup Chihuahua” implies that they comprise a specific type of Chihuahua that is unusually small compared to average dogs of the same breed.

Unfortunately, the “teacup Chihuahua” is nothing more than a scam designed to dupe gullible buyers into paying more. The Chihuahua Club of America notes that the AKC breed standard for the Chihuahua makes no allowances or specifications for specific sizes or types of chihuahua. Only long-haired and short-haired varieties are acknowledged as variations within the breed.

Indeed, the American Kennel Club gives no minimum standard for any type of Chihuahua, but sets its maximum weight at six pounds. It also classifies all Chihuahuas– not just “teacup” versions of the breed– as part of the toy group. No Chihuahua is any more or less a “toy” than any other, and all Chihuahuas are, and have been, selectively bred to be diminutive in size compared to average dogs.

While it is true that some Chihuahuas happen to be somewhat smaller than their peers, this trait isn’t consistently inheritable and hasn’t been established in any blood lines within the breed. Nevertheless, deceptive breeders advertise completely average-sized Chihuahuas as “teacup” varieties, in hopes of luring prospective buyers. Since the dogs tend to be young pups at the time they are sold, buyers are often unaware that their new pets will grow to be the same small, but ordinary, size as any other Chihuahua.

People hoping to buy an especially small dog should shy away from any breeders promising teacup Chihuahuas, since any breeder who uses this terminology is willingly engaging in deception. Instead, contact other reputable breeders in your area and ask them about the average size, appearance, and health of the dogs they sell. Do not allow inaccurate, deceptive terminology to trick you into paying more money for a completely ordinary pet.