Teacup poodle :
they are so cute!
If you are thinking of getting a teacup poodle for a pet, there are several things you might like to know about them. The normal traits of the poodle breed apply to teacups--that is: they are loyal, gentle, intelligent, elegant, non-shedding, obedient (without forgoing independence!) and perceptive. All that is truly different is size.
Poodles, the national dog of France, are defined by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as toy poodles if it: "... is 10 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders." Further divisions are often made within this group. A toy poodle may weigh no more than 10 pounds at maturity, while a mature 5- to 6-pound dog is considered a tiny toy and a 2- to 4-pound dog is called a teacup poodle.
A Teacup poodle is often chosen by dog lovers because of their non-shedding fur. They are great for people with allergies, who wish to share their homes with a dog. But this very characteristic of non-shedding fur necessitates an increase in the attention to grooming. You MUST brush them often. The less groomed the yard area in which they play, the more grooming you must do!
A teacup poodle makes a great family dog, because it loves companionship and does not like to be alone. If your household is gone for the majority of each day, your teacup poodle may not be the happiest of pets and might benefit from a second teacup playmate! If you are gone for much of the day, plan on exercising your poodle well when you get home. Teacup poodles require the least exercise of all the toy poodle sizes, especially when young, but they still require a good romp in the yard once they reach maturity.
There are some words of caution that need to be mentioned regarding a teacup poodle while it is a pup. Their small size means that they can run out of energy quickly. This requires vigilance for the first 6 to 9 months of their lives, as low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) can occur instantly and could be fatal. Some breeders recommend keeping your teacup poodle in a child's playpen to avoid overexertion. One breeder recommends letting the pooped pup suck on a finger covered with Karo syrup to counteract the occasional low blood sugar incidents. Another suggests giving them some high-energy liquid food at night to carry them safely through to morning. Check with your trusted vet for good advice.
If you have children, you might wish to choose a true toy poodle, rather than a teacup poodle. The fragility of a teacup pup might make a toy a better choice. You just need to remember how small a 4 pound animal is: it fits in your pocket or purse! It cannot stand much tripping over and stepping on without great injury. So treat your teacup like the dainty furperson it is, and all will be wiggly smiles!
