Teacup Poodles 2024 – Price, Size & History Information
The Small Size Poodle Information Guide
If you want to know about teacup poodles, their history, breeding, size, weight, temperaments, price, lifespan, health problems, and grooming needs, then you are in the right place. Here, you will get the complete information about these poodles.
Teacup poodles are newly found poodles that are smaller than toy poodles. These poodles are alert, energetic, intelligent, and best for families. They acquire most of the abilities of their standard-sized poodles. Let us take a deep dive into the world of these poodles and explore much more exciting information!
Overview of Teacup Poodles
Common Name
Teacup Poodles
Average size
9 inches or less
Average weight
6 pounds or less
Energy
High
Coat
Curly and thick
Shedding
Low
Price
$2000 – $2500
Lifespan
12 – 14 years
Temperament
Friendly
Grooming Needs
High
History and Breed Origin of the Teacup Poodles
Small-sized poodles are newly found poodles that have gained a lot of popularity in the past 20 – 25 years. These are not purebred poodles and are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) as purebred. These poodles are variations of toy poodles.
The first poodles, standard poodles, originated in Germany in the 14th century. These poodles were used as water retrievers. However, due to their intelligence and friendly behavior, they gained popularity in France and became their national dog. Many people adopt them as pets.
Due to their high demand, many breeders bred standard poodles into different-sized poodles such as toy, miniature, and moyen poodles. Miniature poodles originated in the 1700s or 1800s, while toy poodles originated in the 1900s.
Toy poodles were further bred in the late 20th century and early 21st century into teacup poodles which are the smallest poodles. Due to their high intelligence and manageable size, many people love to adopt them as pets.
Appearance of Teacup Poodles
The small-sized poodles are similar to other poodles but tiny in size. They have floppy furry ears and a sleek, long muzzle. They have dark oval eyes, square bodies, long necks, well-rounded skulls, and long legs. Their coat is thick and soft which requires regular grooming to prevent tangles and mats.
Size
The size of teacup poodles is small compared to other poodles. Their size is 9 inches (22.86 cm) or less. The poodle about 10 inches are toy poodles whereas poodles of around 16 inches or above are standard poodles.
Weight
As teacup poodles are considered to be the smallest poodles, so their weight is also less. Their average weight is around 6 pounds (2.72 Kg) or less. The weight of poodles also depends on their regular diet and health.
Colors
Small-sized poodles are available in solid as well as in multi colors. Mostly, these poodles are solid colored, but some exhibit parti and phantom color patterns. It is important to note that these poodles change their coat color when they get older.
The list of solid poodle colors is as follows:
Lifespan
The average lifespan of small-sized poodles is 12 – 14 years. However, healthy poodles live more than 14 years, while weak poodles live less than 12 years. The lifespan depends on genetics, diet, and exercise. Regular checkups, proper care, and daily training sessions keep the poodles healthy and longer.
Are Teacups Poodles Expensive?
Yes, these poodles are more expensive than other poodles. It is because it is challenging to breed small-sized poodles. Due to low supply and high demand, these poodles are sold at higher prices. Their price is around $2000 – $2500.
Teacup Poodle vs Toy Poodle
The main difference between them is the size. Teacup poodles are smaller than toy poodles. The size of a small-sized poodle is around 9 inches or less, whereas the size of a toy poodle is about 10 inches.
The other difference between these two is that toy poodles are purebred, while small-sized poodles are not purebred. Toy poodles are registered in the list of purebred poodles in the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Mostly, both of these poodles exhibit similar traits such as intelligence, activeness, and hypoallergenic coats. The main reason for exhibiting similar traits is that all poodles are bred from standard poodles, so the traits are transferred from parents to offspring.
Benefits of Teacup Poodles
Easy to Manage
As teacup poodles are smaller in size, so they are easy to manage. There is no need for a separate room as these poodles occupy a small space. If you don’t have a spacious house or apartment, then these poodles are best for you.
Low Maintenance
These poodles are best for those who want a low-maintenance poodle. Their coat requires low maintenance, so there is no need for a professional groomer; you can do it yourself. However, regular grooming is essential so that the poodle remains beautiful and attractive.
Family Friendly Pets
These poodles are family-friendly pets and love to play with their owners. They always tend to make their buyers happy. They follow the orders of their owners and try not to make them sad.
Low Shedding
These poodles have thick curly coats that shed little. That’s why they are also called hypoallergenic poodles. However, regular grooming, such as daily brushing, is essential so that the trapped shedding hair in the poodle’s coat gets removed and the chances of causing allergy decrease.
Good Watchdogs
Small-sized poodles are active and loyal to their owners. They bark only when they are suffering from any anxiety or they see some stranger so they may serve as good watchdogs.
Easy to Travel
Traveling with a large-sized poodle is quite difficult, so teacup poodles are best for traveling as they occupy small spaces and are easily manageable. They are easy to accommodate, whether on road trips or flights.
Easy to Train
Small-sized poodles are easy to train compared to large-sized poodles. There is no need to admit them to some training centres. You can train them in your home by adopting some training strategies, such as treating them with a meal when they perform well. As these poodles are highly energetic and intelligent, they pick up new skills quickly.
Are Teacup Poodles Good with Kids?
Small-sized poodles are family-friendly pets but are not suitable for families with very young children. Small-sized poodles are fragile, and young children don’t know how to play with them, so the chances of poodle injuries increase. Moreover, yelling and busy play of children scare these poodles, which results in anxiety and barking issues.
If the children know how to play with poodles, then there is no issue at all. These poodles also play happily and energetically with such children.
Temperaments
Small-sized poodles have positive temperaments. They are smart, active, loyal, alert, and loving pets. They are highly attached to their owner and tend to please him. These poodles learn a new command in less than 6 repetitions as poodles are considered to be the second most intelligent dog after Border Collies.
These poodles are hypersensitive and suffer from anxiety when the owner adopts harsh behavior or when they are left alone for a long period. These poodles shy of strangers, or they start barking when they see any stranger, so socialization is important.
Are Small Sized Poodles Aggressive?
No, these poodles are not aggressive but have a pleasing temperament. Unlike other poodles, they have no prey drive. They show aggressive behavior only when they are suffering from anxiety. As these poodles are fragile, so they never attack any person or dog.
Training
Training of small-sized poodles is very essential as it keeps them healthy and fit. Regular strolls in dog parks prove to be very beneficial. In this way, they interact with many people and their self-confidence increases. Start training your poodles from day 1 when you bring them home. Start training from basic commands and slowly move to advanced training sessions.
Teacup poodles have a moderate energy level so train them according to their energy as overtraining badly affects their health. Don’t reward your poodle with a meal when they make some mistake. Always adopt positive reinforcement to train poodles.
To maintain the mental health of poodles, brain-challenging toys and exercises are recommended. Introduce the poodle to new people so that they become social. Be patient, and don’t adopt strict behavior when training poodles.
Be consistent in training a poodle. If you don’t have much time then hire a professional trainer or admit the poodle in some training centres. Training not only keeps the poodle physically fit but also increases their mental health.
Diet and Nutrition
It is very important to select the correct poodle food because poodles’ health depends on it. When you buy a poodle for your home, make sure that the food is according to the doctor’s recommendation. At every age, poodles require distinguished nutritional needs due to their different energy levels.
Teacup poodles require high-quality dry and wet food that contains all the essential nutrients. Give half or full cup of these foods according to your poodles’ needs. Excess proteins, carbohydrates, and approximately 250 calories are essential for the normal growth of poodles.
If you are giving excess dry food to your poodle, then make sure to give them excess water otherwise dry food results in dental issues. It also results in urinary infections. It is recommended to buy a dog’s food according to the doctor’s recommendation.
Health Problems in Teacup Poodles
Small-sized poodles are smart and active but they are prone to some serious health issues that the owner should be aware of. Like other small-sized poodles, these poodles suffer from many genetic disorders.
Here, we discuss health issues that are commonly found in small-sized poodles.
Hypoglycemia
It is the most common disease found in small-sized poodles. In this disease, the amount of glucose in the blood decreases. As glucose is the main source of energy for the body and brain, its decline badly affects the brain and overall body.
It is caused by the abnormal function of the pancreas, such that it stops producing insulin due to some tumor. Other causes of this disease are liver disease, glycogen storage disease, and Addison’s disease.
The symptoms of this disease are as follows:
Note: The treatment of this disease needs proper medication. First, doctors try to find the cause that results in this disease. To find the disease, ultrasounds and counting of blood glucose concentration are also performed. If your poodle appears to be in a coma then immediately give sugar water or corn syrup.
Patella Luxation
It is one of the genetic diseases in small-sized poodles in which the kneecap dislocates from their original position due to the abnormal attachment of the patellar ligament with the shinbone, leading to damage to the anterior crucial ligament that affects the poodle’s walking. This disease is also called a trick knee.
The symptoms of the disease are as follows:
There are many methods to cure this disease. First, is the proper adjustment of the patellar ligament with the shinbone. Second is the use of Anti-inflammatory supplements to reduce pain and swelling. Some doctors also recommend bed rest.
Legg Calve Perthes Disease
It is one of the degenerative diseases in which degeneration occurs in the bone ends of the hips. Male poodles are mostly affected by this disease as compared to females. It stops the blood supply to bones, which leads to serious health issues in small-sized poodles.
Symptoms of the disease are as follows:
To treat this disease, first, confirm that the disease is mild or acute. Bed rest for 6 – 7 months is essential to cure the disease if it is mild. However, if the disease is acute then surgery is the only left option. This disease occurs mostly in small-sized poodles so it is difficult to perform surgery.
Tracheal Collapse
It is one of the genetic diseases of the trachea, in which chronic coughing occurs, leading to the weakening of the C-shaped cartilaginous rings that narrow the air passageway. This cough is also called goose-honking cough.
The symptoms of this disease are as follows:
There are many supplements to treat this disease. First, doctors diagnose the disease by X-ray, fluoroscopy, and bronchoscopy. Antibiotics, sedatives, and corticosteroids are used to cure this disease.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
PRA is a type of eye disease in poodles in which photoreceptors of the eye are destroyed, and retina atrophy occurs. It is a hereditary disease that occurs due to gene mutation. This disease is found in all small-sized poodles.
The symptoms of this disease are as follows:
Antioxidant supplements are often used by doctors in the treatment of this disease as they slow down the disease. However, these supplements are not the right treatment as they only slow down the disease. So, there is no proper treatment to cure PRA.
Grooming
Small-sized poodles are not high-maintenance dogs but regular grooming is essential to keep them clean. Regular bathing cleans the poodle’s coat from dirt and dust. It is recommended to use dogs formulated conditioners and shampoos to avoid any type of skin infection. Oatmeal shampoos are best for poodles’ coats.
Choose an appropriate hairstyle for poodles that does not irritate them. Take your poodles to a professional groomer every month so that they remove the shed hair from their coat to prevent tangles and mats. Regular checkups are essential to prevent any dental and other disease.
Trim the nails of your poodle with dog nail cutters every 1 – 2 weeks. Buy an ear cleanser to clean the poodle ears. Clean the poodle’s belly and legs to prevent matting.
How to Find a Small Sized Poodle’s Breeder
If you want to buy a small-sized poodle, then it is essential to find a reputable breeder.
Here are some tips that help you find a trusty breeder:
Can You Show Teacup Poodles?
These poodles are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) so they are not allowed to be shown in the events organized by this club. However, many other kennel clubs arrange events for teacups and toy poodles so you can show your poodle in these events.
Are Teacup Poodles Good for New Dog Owners?
Yes, these poodles are good for new dog owners in certain circumstances. However, it is essential for the new dog owner to understand the basic needs of a poodle, such as regular grooming and proper checkups. Small-sized poodles need proper time from the owner, so if you are a busy man and don’t have much time, then hire someone to take care of these poodles; otherwise, they become the victim of anxiety.
Conclusion
Teacup poodles are the smallest poodles that are smart and family-friendly pets. They are easy to manage and can be adapted to every environment. They love to stay in the company of people and other dogs.
It is easy to train these poodles, however, regular grooming and proper care of diet are essential. Regular checkups help to prevent the poodle from any disease. I hope you get the complete information about teacup poodles.
