What Is a Teacup Pomeranian?

Teacup Pomeranian is a term used to refer to smaller-sized Pomeranians. This term is not an actual breed recognized by an association, but is rather a description of the dog's size. Pomeranians are already a toy dog breed that only weigh 3 to 7 lbs. on average, so many Pomeranians are teacup Pomeranians. However, you should watch out for breeders who will commit unethical practices to ensure a smaller "teacup"-sized product.

  1. Size

    • According to the American Kennel Club, 4 to 6 lbs. is the ideal weight for a Pomeranian. More important than size, the Pomeranian show dog must have a medium bone structure and feel "sturdy." There is no official size or weight to define a teacup Pomeranian because there is no official breed by that name. In fact, many breeders will call a 7-lb. Pomeranian a teacup Pomeranian. In general, when the public asks for teacup Pomeranians, they want their adult dog to be on the low end of average weight.

    Reputable Breeders

    • When searching for your dog, the easiest way to ensure a teacup adult is to buy an adult dog. Just be sure not to purchase a dog that is less than 3 lbs., or you may be getting a dog with some serious health problems. If you want a puppy, you should to find a reputable breeder who has been breeding for a long time. Make sure that the puppies consistently grow into adults who are on the smaller end of the Pomeranian size-spectrum. In general, male Pomeranians are smaller than females.

    Unethical Breeders

    • Be very careful purchasing a dog from a breeder who claims to sell "teacup Pomeranians." First of all, there is no such breed, and a reputable breeder will know this. Some breeders will use this term for ordinary Pomeranians in order to increase sales, and some breeders will actually attempt to breed smaller dogs. They often do this by inbreeding or by breeding runts. These unethical practices can cause serious health problems for the puppies.

    Health Problems

    • Pomeranians are already a toy breed. People who breed below average-sized Pomeranians are creating a recipe for disaster. Adult dogs that are smaller than 3 lbs. are literally breakable. Their legs can be broken from jumping off of furniture, and they can even be killed if someone accidentally sits on them. Also, inbred dogs are more susceptible to congenital diseases such as hypoglycemia, slipped kneecaps, underdeveloped organs, thyroid problems and increased risk for internal and external infections. If you buy a dog from an unethical breeder, it is possible that your dog will not live very long.