Our web site
is designed to entertain our visitors. But we
are also dedicated to informing and educating
our visitors about the Chihuahua breed. It is
true we do not personally breed or sell
Chihuahua puppies, but we have been in contact
with many reputable breeders and dog breed
associations over the years who bring to our
attention various facts about the breed and
their recognized standards of perfection as
accepted by The American Kennel Club
as well as other
registries throughout the world.
With this in
mind we are publishing our personal views on an
issue of great importance to perspective
Chihuahua owners...the myth of the Teacup
Chihuahua. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A TEACUP
CHIHUAHUA!
It is a term used by
unscrupulous breeders to charge exorbitant
prices for undersize puppies. This is not just
our opinion, but also the opinion of all the
governing bodies which recognize the Chihuahua
breed. The American Kennel Club only recognizes
"Chihuahuas - Long coated or smooth coated."
They do not differentiate within the breed for
various sizes, only that the breed itself is
within The Toy Group. But many breeders
and owners continue to use this label for their
under-sized puppies in an attempt to attach a
greater importance to them and subsequently a
higher price. Do not be fooled by the
claims of breeders who claim they have "Teacup
Chihuahuas!" And please, if you have been
telling people you own one, do us all a favor
and stop using this incorrect term.
READ THE AKC CHIHUAHUA BREED
STANDARD
Please
read the official statement
below by
The Chihuahua Club of America
on this issue.
Sponsored by
The Chihuahua Club of America
The official A.K.C. Breed
Standard describes the Chihuahua as a small dog
that comes in two varieties or coats types. The
differences in coat type (the Long Coat or the
Smooth Coat) is the only official description
used to identify a difference within this breed.
Our Standard does not categorize the Chihuahua
by size.
For the purpose of showing
and record keeping, the American Kennel Club
includes the Chihuahua (along with 17 other
breeds) in the Toy Group. Therefore,
irrespective of their weight or physical
stature, ALL Chihuahua registered with A.K.C.
are considered to be a toy breed of dog.
As with all living things,
there will be a size variance between individual
dogs within this breed. Look within the human
family - brothers and sisters will differ in
height and in weight, as well as other physical
attributes. They are described as humans, male
or female, and there is seldom if ever a need to
break the description down further. The same
holds true in regard to the Chihuahua; they are
Chihuahuas-Long Coat/Smooth Coat, Male/Female.
Unfortunately, the additional
adjectives used to describe the size differences
and physical appearances are many; and have been
misused for so long they now seem
legitimate. Teacup, Pocket Size, Tiny Toy,
Miniature or Standard - are just a few of the
many tags and labels that have been attached to
this breed over the years. The Chihuahua Club of
America is concerned that these terms may be
used to entice prospective buyers into thinking
that puppies described in this way are of
greater monetary value. They are not; the
use of these terms is incorrect and misleading.
Occasionally, within a
litter, there may be a puppy that is unusually
small. That pup is a small Chihuahua and any
other breakdown in description is not correct.
To attach any of these additional labels to a
particular pup is to misrepresent that animal as
something that is rare or exceptional and causes
a great deal of confusion among those new
fanciers who are looking for a Chihuahua.
The Chihuahua Club of America
does not endorse or condone the use of
any of these terms and would caution the
perspective puppy buyer not to be misled by
them. We recognize that many Chihuahua fanciers
do want the very small puppy. While they are
adorable, and can be perfectly healthy, the
buyer should be cautioned as to the extra care
that may be required with regard to the general
health and well-being.
The TEACUP puppy is, in
reality, a premature puppy. Most females
are bred on the ninth through the fifteenth day
of their heat cycles. Eggs can be fertilized for
up to 72 hours after any of these breedings.
Therefore, it is possible to have puppies
conceived up to a week or so younger than the
puppies first Conceived in a litter. However,
when the first puppies conceived are mature and
ready to be born, labor starts and all the
puppies will be born, no matter when they were
fertilized.
This explains why you have
some bigger and some smaller puppies in a
litter. There are no "runts" In a litter, merely
younger puppies. These younger puppies may not
be fully developed. Their problems may be hidden
until later in puppy hood.
Some of the problems that may
be encountered are heart or lung problem,
luxating patella's, or hydrocephalic or "water"
on the brain. Some of the smaller, yet just as
serious, problems that may occur are
hypoglycemia, (low blood sugar) or seizures.
©The Chihuahua Club
of America
