There's no such thing as a 'teacup' dog breed!!!

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Ok, I need to rant for a minute. I am going absolutely insane by the vast amounts of people who are absolutely KILLING me with their ignorance towards dog breeds. The term 'teacup' [insert dog breed here] is a misnomer. If you have ever used that term in description to a dog, I urge you to STOP NOW! There are literally HUNDREDS of dog breeds recognized by the various respected governing bodies across the world, and not one of them recognizes a breed with the word 'teacup' in it's name. It is a term used by unscrupulous breeders to charge exorbitant prices for undersize puppies (I see 'teacup' dogs being advertised anywhere from $1000-3000 everywhere I go, whereas most moral breeders only sell their REGISTERED puppies of normal stature for $800-1500). This is not just my 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!' If you have been telling people you own one, do us all a favor and stop using this incorrect term. Your ignorance is showing! Occasionally, within a litter, there may be a puppy that is unusually small. This is a small Chihuahua/Yorkshire Terrier/Pomeranian. Not a teacup. In fact, years ago, they were referred to as 'runts' and in most circles of people in the doggy know, they still are. Runts should NEVER fetch a higher price than their normal sized counterparts. If you encounter a 'breeder' specializing in 'teacups' or selling their 'teacup' or 'miniature' sized dogs for more than their normal sized littermates, you have encountered someone in it for the money, not for the love and well-being of their dogs. They are undersized which often makes them prone to broken bones, luxating patellas, lower immune systems, trouble conceiving and naturally delivering litters, and in the case of the breeder with dollar signs in their eyes (the one I mentioned above), those things are all the more likely to happen, because the person concerned with the almighty dollar and not their dogs' health, likely does not do health testing and clearances for hips, elbows, eyes, hearts, blood defects and patellar joints. If you want a small breed, research small breeds, pick one out, contact some show breeders about getting a puppy. You can even mention that you aren't interested in showing, and that if one is on the smaller end of the scale by the time they're ready to go home, you'd like that one. Runts do crop up in a lot of litters, and most breeders are happy to sell them (sometimes at a reduced price) to a great home, because all good breeders like their 'furkids' in a good situation. Just don't ask for a 'teacup'!