Photo from @thetailofloki (IG)
Siberian Huskies are known for being excellent workers. Their sled-pulling skills made them a favorite of many pet owners, especially those who live in colder regions.
But aside from their ability to work, they are also well-loved because of their wolf-like appearance. In fact, many pet enthusiasts want to buy micro versions of them like a teacup Husky because they think it is cool to own a small but fierce-looking pet.
This article will address one of the most common questions asked by Huskie pet lovers these days: Do teacup Huskies really exist?
I will also try to differentiate the mini, toy, and teacup-sized dog for you to be guided in purchasing a Husky pup and other dog breeds you are interested in.
What Is a Teacup Husky and Do They Really Exist?
Teacup Huskies are not real and they do not exist. They are believed to be bred for novelty because of their micro size. But as for now, no breeders have succeeded in producing a teacup nor a toy Husky because the Husky breed is incapable of achieving this size due to its genetics.
If, for instance, you have encountered a breeder who claims that he has a litter of teacup Huskies you can choose from, there is a big possibility that what he has is another dog breed that almost looks similar.
Do not buy his scheme and purchase miniature Huskies from reputable breeders instead.
Controversy About the Teacup Husky and the Alaskan Klee Kai
Some unethical breeders are extremely desperate to gain profit. They go so far as to deceive buyers into buying faux teacup Husky using the Alaskan Klee Kai.
If you aren’t knowledgeable about dog appearances, you would believe that the two breeds are identical. Their differences are that subtle that the untrained eye would not really notice.
Below is a detailed list of the characteristics of Alaskan Klee Kai (AKK) and why they significantly differ from a teacup Husky.
The AKK has more white on their coat, and their grey patches are lighter as compared to the teacup Husky.
They are fearful of strangers.
They aren’t good watchdogs.
They are bred to be companion dogs and not working dogs like Huskies.
They are not that hyper.
I know I may sound repetitive, but I will remind you again, for you to become more cautious: teacup Huskies do not exist.
There is a big possibility that the breeder you are transacting with is handing over an AKK in its place. If you want to avoid disappointment, adopt a mini pup instead of a teacup Husky.
What Other Dog Breeds Have Teacup Sizes?
Photo from @pomskykenzo (IG)
Although breeding teacup dogs are controversial and unethical, some breeders are still in the business of developing them. We might not be aware of, but there may be breeders out there who are still trying to produce teacup Huskies.
In connection to the issue presented above, some dog breeds with teacup sizes are being commercially sold these days. They are the following:
Teacup Pomsky: This teacup pup is a cross between a Husky and a Pomeranian. They live up to 15 to 17 years if given proper care. Their body mass falls between 3 to 8 pounds while their height is not more than 10 inches.
Teacup Chihuahua: Teacup Chihuahuas are among the most famous teacup varieties out there, but they are known to be nervous pets. They weigh 3 pounds and measure 6 inches in height.
Teacup Poodle: Teacup Poodles need constant grooming, and they require extreme care because they are too fragile. They may weigh less than 6 pounds, and they are usually 9 inches tall.
Teacup Pomeranian: Teacup Pomeranians don’t have the same energy as the standard size. Their full-grown height is only 3 to 7 inches, and their body mass is 3 pounds or less.
Teacup Yorkie: Teacup Yorkies are loving pets. However, they need extensive bark training. They are only 5 to 6 inches tall, and they weigh around 2 to 4 pounds.
Teacup Maltese: Teacup Maltese aren’t common, but they exist nonetheless. They are highly sensitive dogs and very active at the same time. Their height is only 4 to 6 inches while their weight is 3 to 5 pounds.
Check out this video to see some of the cutest teacup dogs.
Top 10 Teacup Dogs (Cute Dogs) - Best Small Dogs<a href="https://youtu.be/XDdpfWgS4kM" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FXDdpfWgS4kM%2F0.jpg" alt="Top 10 Teacup Dogs (Cute Dogs) - Best Small Dogs" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Does Breeding Teacup Dogs Considered Ethical?
While there are a lot of people, including famous celebrities, who spend tons of dollars buying teacup dogs, we cannot consider breeding these pups as ethical. This is because they are genetically engineered to be micro-sized with total disregard for their overall health.
The genetic modification and inbreeding done by teacup dog breeders are so horrendous that it should already be called illegal. Most of them use abnormally small dogs that have medical issues in breeding these teacup pups.
If you decide to buy a teacup dog or you miraculously found a teacup Husky breeder, remember that you are indirectly enabling these unethical breeders to compromise a dog’s health for the sole purpose of profit. I recommend that you think this through a million times before purchasing.
Drawbacks of Owning a Teacup Dog
Many animal advocates argue that if you love dogs, you should not buy teacup pups. It is a good thing that teacup Huskies are nonexistent. Here are some of the reasons why:
Teacup pups come with many health problems, so your vet bills will also be higher.
Buying them fuels puppy mills because a majority of them are bred irresponsibly from those facilities.
They are too fragile. You may accidentally step or sit on them.
They may develop small dog syndrome or the tendency to jump or climb at people, bark at visitors, bark for food, and be aggressive towards other animals.
They have a shorter life span.
They are not for people who have a busy lifestyle because they always crave attention.
Kids can injure them.
They are not good with heat, so you have to keep your AC on to accommodate them.
Bigger animals might prey on them.
They usually have low sugar levels, so you have to feed them multiple times a day.
They are way more expensive than the mini and standard dogs.
Understanding the Non-Standard Dog Sizes
A lot of pet owners are still confused about the differences between mini, toy, and teacup-sized dogs. They think that the three are synonymous, so they use them interchangeably.
Similarly, some breeders aren’t aware of the distinction between these small dog versions. This leads to more confusion when they start selling pups that are tagged as teacup or toy, when the reality is, they are selling mini-sized dogs.
To end this confusion, once and for all, I have listed down the significant differences in these three non-standard dog sizes in this section. This will guide you in your dog purchases in the future, especially if you are into smaller-sized pets.
Miniature
Important note: The word “miniature” can refer to two distinct descriptions of dogs. In its first context, it can be used to describe dog breeds with a small standard size. On the other hand, it can refer to the smaller version of larger breeds, such as the miniature Poodle. The second meaning of the word will be used in every related discussion in this article.
Miniature dog versions are also called pocket-sized pups because they can easily be carried around in your bag or luggage. It is hard to precisely describe their size because it is usually unique to each breed.
However, on average, they may measure 15 inches tall or below and may weigh 12 to 20 pounds.
Here are some of the reasons why families prefer them over standard-sized dogs:
There are young children in the household that might be knocked off or injured by larger dogs.
The family lives in a small apartment. There are no backyards or open spaces where the dog can play and exercise.
The owner cannot manage large dogs because of their condition, such as elderlies or those who have physical impairments.
Some people just find them convenient because they are low-maintenance and they can be brought anywhere.
Despite being adorable, some miniature dogs are also very arrogant and bold. They are trying to make up for their small stature, so they behave like larger dogs. It would really be wise to observe their behavior on the kennel where you will buy them before making any decisions.
Toy
Toy dogs are a favorite of city dwellers because they literally don’t take up much space. On average, they weigh 6 to 9 pounds, and they stand at 12 inches tall. This size is recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and described as dogs that are short in size but not in personality.
Originally, they were bred to be prized possessions of nobility and other members of the ruling class. They were treasured and pampered for so many years before they became ordinary household pets.
Here are some of the characteristics of toy dogs that are worth noting:
They are sweet and affectionate.
They are sociable and adaptable no matter what the lifestyle of their owner is.
They are exceptionally smart.
They have an intense protective instinct.
They are great lap dogs and therapy dogs.
They love attention.
They like playing with little children.
Teacup or Micro
Teacup dogs are possibly the most controversial dog size. As the name suggests, these dogs are small enough to fit in a teacup.
Many pet experts and enthusiasts criticize how these dogs were bred, and it is hard to argue with them. Why? They do not exist naturally as compared to mini and toy dogs.
Their body mass is only 4 pounds or less, and they usually suffer from congenital diseases because they were bred through genetic manipulation. They also aren’t recognized by any kennel club as an official size group.
Below are some other facts you need to know before buying a teacup dog:
They have fragile bodies, so you have to be delicate in holding them.
Kids can easily injure them.
They are more expensive than other dog sizes.
Because they are too small, almost invisible, they aren’t easy to notice, so they may be kicked or stepped on without the owner noticing.
They require a lot of attention.
They are harder to treat because of their small organs and frame.
They can be mistaken as prey by larger dogs and other household pets.
They can’t do all the things that standard dogs can do.
Two Different Sizes of Siberian Huskies
There are only two recognized sizes of Siberian Huskies as of the writing of this guide. These are the standard and miniature.
Teacup Huskies aren’t acknowledged by any existing kennel club in the U.S. and even in other countries. Below is a detailed discussion of the two Husky sizes:
Standard
According to the AKC, the standard Huskies are medium in size. In terms of height, male Huskies are expected to measure 21 to 23 ½ inches at the withers. Meanwhile, female Huskies should typically measure 22 to 22 inches.
When it comes to body mass, male Huskies are relatively heavier, with an average weight of 45 to 60 pounds. On the other hand, females weigh 35 to 50 pounds.
The AKC further states that male Huskies that are over 23 ½ inches tall and female Huskies that are over 22 inches are strictly disqualified as per their standards.
Mini
Mini or miniature Huskies are a smaller version of the standard-sized Huskies. Bree Normandin first developed them in the 1990s, and they possess the same physical features as the regular-sized pups.
They have a wolf-like appearance composed of almond-shaped eyes, tiny erect ears, and fluffy coat.
This is an excellent alternative for those who desire to own teacup Huskies because they also don’t occupy too much space.
They only weigh 20 to 35 pounds as opposed to the 35 to 60-pound average size of standard Huskies. They are also smaller in terms of height, with only 13 to 17 inches measurement.
As for their temperament, it is pretty much similar to the regular Huskies. Here’s a rundown for your guidance:
They are also great escape artists.
They bond well with the family, especially kids.
They are very playful and energetic.
They howl instead of bark.
Final Thoughts
As much as I would like to tell you the good news that teacup Huskies naturally exist, I do not want to deceive you or give you false hope.
Siberian Huskies are one of those breeds that cannot be genetically modified to fit in a teacup, and I know you wouldn’t want to own one after reading how most of them are bred.
If you are really interested in owning a smaller Husky, your best and only option is to buy a mini pup, bred legally following the ethical standards.
Please do not fall into the opportunistic breeders who would offer you Alaskan Klee Kais in the hopes that you will mistake them for teacup Huskies. Be a wise pet owner and inform yourself about the breed before shedding off your hard-earned cash.
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