When you picture a toy poodle, you might think of an adorable, diminutive pup — and there are many reasons why this miniature version of the beloved poodle is highly desirable!

But don’t be intimidated by the name “teacup” — size isn’t everything (or at least that’s what I tell my wife). There’s a lot more to these perky little pooches than meets the eye, so read on for all the deets about what it means to own a teacup poodle!

Teacup Poodle

For 400 years or more, poodles have been recognized as a popular dog breed. You can find this breed all around the world.

Most people believe that the Poodle came from France, but it was actually developed in Germany. The breed was explicitly designed to aid an owner in hunting by retrieving waterfowl.

Later on, the dog breed was noticed by French royalty or nobility. As a result, the breed was brought over to France, where it became trendy among the people (some things never change). In France, the breed was specifically bred smaller to serve as a lap dog. Tiny teacup poodles and other smaller variations were created by selective breeding.

It wasn’t until much later, around the late 1800s, that this dog breed was brought over to the United States. The AKC recognized this dog breed in 1887 as the standard Poodle.

Teacup Poodle Appearance

As you already know, the Teacup Poodle is a very small dog breed that looks exactly like a miniature Poodle. You will notice that this breed has a beautiful round head and cute floppy ears. The coat will be curly, wavy, and hypoallergenic. If you struggle with mild allergies to dogs, then you can most likely own a Teacup Poodle.

The Teacup Poodle can come in a variety of different colors, sometimes in more than one color. These Teacup Poodles have a very cute teddy bear look, and this dog will completely capture your heart.

This is such a small dog breed, so you have to be careful with this dog because it has small bones. If your dog falls from a high distance, it is possible that it could get injured. If you have children, they should also be careful when holding the dog.

The Coat of a Teacup Poodle

The Teacup Poodle has a medium-length coat, but it looks short because it curls up. The curly hair gives the dog a really fluffy and cute look. However, the hair can get knotted if you are not adequately grooming your dog. You can always use a detangler to help get knots out.

These coats are thick and considered hypoallergenic. This is also a dog breed that hardly sheds. You may notice some hair shed after you brush your dog. You will also see this breed available in a wide range of different colors that you will see below.

What Colors Do Teacup Poodles Come In?

Teacup poodle colors vary, which means potential owners have several options to choose from. Here are some of those colors below:

• Black
• Silver
• Gray
• White
• Apricot
• Brown
• Tan
• Red
• Cream

This dog breed will typically have either brown or black eyes. In addition, the nose will most likely be black or light brown.

Temperament

Teacup Poodles’ have a high degree of intelligence. They are very responsive and trainable. Overall this breed comes across as happy, cheerful, and energetic.

They love to be around their human family members and can be very amusing to observe. Socialization is necessary. This breed can also make a good watchdog because it will alert owners when anything unusual is discovered.

If not given proper exercise and training, the Teacup Toy Poodle can act timid and high-strung. They require consistency and rules, but they will generally display good behavior when both of those are present.

Teacup Poodle Size

Teacup poodle length generally falls under 9 inches (22 cm). There is no breed standard, but this is the general guide breeders will follow. Teacup poodle weight is generally less than 6 pounds (3 kg).

If your dog weighs more, then it is likely a Toy Poodle and not a Teacup Poodle. The Teacup Poodle will be tiny, so be aware before making your purchase that you know you are getting.

Teacup Poodle Health Problems

Every dog breed is prone to specific health issues, so it is essential to be aware of those in case your dog ever gets them. Here are the following health concerns you should worry about for the Teacup Poodle.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy – This is a severe eye condition in which the eye can lose its eyesight in its photoreceptors. This can result in blindness, so it is vital to get checked out.

Ear Infections – Some dog breeds are just prone to getting ear infections more easily than others. You will know your dog has an ear infection when its ear becomes very inflamed and red. You may even notice an excessive amount of dirt, gunk, and even odor. Your vet will be able to treat the infection accordingly.

Heart Issues – Just life with ear infections above, some dogs are just prone to getting issues. Heart issues are another thing that any breed can be prone to. If your dog has trouble breathing when lying down or seems to be really fatigued all the time, then I suggest getting your dog looked at by a vet professional.

Addison’s Disease – This is when the adrenal glands do not produce the correct hormones. These hormones are the ones responsible for regulating your dog’s body organs. This can lead to death if you are not staying on top of it.

Life Expectancy of a Teacup Poodle

The average Teacup poodle life expectancy is 12 to 15 years. However, keep in mind that this is just an estimated lifespan. If your dog does get any significant health issues, it can shorten your dog’s life span.

Living Conditions

Teacup poodles for sale are available everywhere, partially because this canine is relatively adaptable. They are active at times, but their small size makes it possible for the dog to get its workout anywhere. As a result, a big yard is not needed. The most unique trait of this breed is its size. When most owners look for Teacup poodle puppies for sale, it is usually because of their tiny appearance.

Teacup poodle puppies and adults should be given attention and playtime to ensure that they get the interaction and exercise they need to stay happy and healthy. Your teacup poodle will live nicely and comfortably in an apartment. If you live in an apartment or condo, you will have no problem with this small breed.

It is essential to be very careful with your dog because it is very small and it is fragile. It’s important to give your dog proper nutrition and to provide them with plenty of activities. Make sure you are aware of their dietary needs, as well as the amount of exercise they need to stay healthy. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for signs that something might not be right – anything from lack of appetite and increased lethargy is worth a call to the vetenarian.

Teacup Poodle Exercise

Teacup poodle breeders will usually advise owners that this canine doesn’t require significant exercise but should still be walked regularly. This is good for the dog’s body and reinforces the dog-owner bond.

A good stroll outside will also help keep energy levels low so the dog is calmer indoors. Your teacup poodle will only need twenty to thirty minutes of exercise a day. You can get your dog some little toys to play with as well to keep them busy.

If you are elderly or someone who doesn’t like to exercise for long periods of time, then this will be an excellent option for you. This breed does not need much exercise throughout the day.

Diet

Since we are talking about such a small dog breed, the diet and nutrition needed for this dog will be different from a large dog breed. You should be feeding your Teacup Poodle high-quality food specifically for the toy group dog. For example, the kibble size of regular dog food is far too large for teacup poodles. Try buying food designed for other small breeds, like the Yorkie.

This type of dog only needs around 250 calories a day. You can break this up into smaller meals throughout the day, such as once in the morning and once at night. High-quality dog treats are always nice to give your dog during training sessions as rewards!

Keep in mind this is a small dog breed. Therefore, it will not require a lot of food to, making it easier to budget for high-quality wet food. Make sure you try your best not to overfeed your dog because it can lead to obesity which can cause other health-related issues.

If you want to know exactly how much food to feed your dog, it will be based on your dog’s weight. Your vet can help you with this if you are still unsure how much to feed your dog.

Grooming a Teacup Poodle

Teacup poodle rescue organizations and breeders will warn owners that this dog requires a regular grooming schedule. Baths and trims should be given every 6 to 8 weeks. The curly coat does not shed, so it must be clipped to keep the dog comfortable.

The ears should be checked frequently for wax build-up and mites. Also, a groomer will let you know if your dog has an ear infection building up, which is common for most dog breeds. Teacup toy poodles also need to have their teeth scaled.

Teacup poodle grooming requirements are more demanding than other breeds but are necessary to ensure that the animal doesn’t develop any preventable health conditions.

You should be brushing your teacup poodle at least three times a week. You can do this at home really easily. If your dog has a lot of tangles, you can use a detangling spray to help brush through the coat.

Training a Teacup Poodle

This breed is very manageable in terms of size but still requires a confident leader to ensure good behavior and obedience. Before considering Teacup Poodles for adoption, a first-time owner should research the breed and basic training techniques.

As we said earlier, this is an intelligent small breed and, as such, is very amendable to training. Start training when you get your dog, whether it is a puppy or even an older dog. This helps build consistency, and this is a great way to bond with your dog. Start out with the basics and build from there.

Types Teacup Poodles

There is no single Teacup poodle mix that can be described as a sub-group of this breed. That being said, the miniature traits of this canine have caught the eye of many breeders and owners.

Today several Teacup poodle mixes are available, usually pairing the breed with other toy group canines such as the Maltese and Yorkie.

Teacup Poodle Puppies

If you plan on adopting a Toy Poodle from a high-quality dog breeder, then you can be looking at prices up to $2000 or more. Remember to refrain from buying dogs from puppy mills, as they can come with a lot of added health problems.

Sometimes you can find Toy Poodles at rescues which would be another great way to adopt. Remember that your Toy poodle puppy will be tiny when you first get it. Overfeeding can become an issue quickly.

Enjoy this time that you have with your sweet little puppy. Puppy-proof your house to make sure your dog isn’t getting into things it shouldn’t.

Teacup Poodle Litter Size

The Teacup Poodle is tiny, so when it has a litter of puppies, it may only yield one and, at the most, two or three. Make sure you read up on information about helping your pregnant dog bring puppies into the world.

This can be a very challenging time, so make sure you have an excellent vet that can walk you step by step and check on the puppies.

Key Takeaways

• The Teacup Poodle is a very small dog breed that will likely weigh less than six pounds.
• This variation of the breed will look exactly like a Poodle. Your dog will still have a fluffy and cute curly hair appearance.
• With all dog breeds, this one can be prone to certain health conditions that you can read up on. Make sure you take your dog on all checkups to make sure they are staying healthy.
• This breed is small, so you need to worry about it falling from high places or kids playing rough and breaking bones.
• Teacup Poodles only need minimal exercise of around thirty minutes daily to get moving and feel good.
• Try not to overfeed your dog since it is tiny; it can pack on weight quickly.

FAQ

Here you will find some common questions that people have about the Teacup Poodle dog breed.

Close relatives of the Teacup Poodle

Here you will find some dog breeds that are similar to the Teacup Poodle:

• Poodle
• Teacup French Bulldog
• Parti Poodle