Tea Cup Poodles
Have you ever seen a tea cup poodle? If you did, you might have thought you were seeing a poodle puppy – they are so tiny that it is sometimes hard to believe they are full grown adults. Let’s take a tour of the world of tea cup poodles and what makes them so loveable.
Basic Info About Tea Cup Poodles
Tea cup poodles (also know as teacup poodles) are an unofficial size variation of the much larger standard poodle. They fit within the toy poodle classification, but they are smaller than the AKC toy poodle requirements. Consequently, this name of “tea cup poodle” is the name given to these extra small poodles by the breeders, but there is no universal standard at this point.
What Do They Look Like?
Tea cup poodles look like miniature poodles. They are less than nine inches in height, and they weigh less than six pounds. They are the smallest type of poodle.
For poodles, there are three types of grooming clips – the “pet clip” where they are cut to have short hair all over the dog’s body, the “English saddle” clip, and the “Continental” clip, which is the one we tend to think of for the traditional poodle look. That’s the one where there are bracelets left at the ankles and pom-poms left on the tail and hips. That is the clip required for show dogs – most others opt for the pet clip.
The tea cup poodle’s hair can be curly or corded. It can be any one of many solid colors. Black, blue, silver, gray, cream, white, brown, apricot, and red are common. The tail is set high on the dog’s body and is usually docked to about half its natural length.
The dewclaws on the feet are usually removed. The feet are small and compact, oval, with arched toes. They are webbed.
Ears lie flat and smooth next to the head. Eyes are oval or round and dark, with a lot of expression in them.
The head is round with a long muzzle, and the neck is solid. There should be about the same length as height at the withers (shoulders).
Temperment Of A Tea Cup Poodle?
Tea cup poodles, like other sizes of poodle, are smart, sensitive, and extremely trainable. They learn tricks easily, and love to please their family. They want to be included in all family activities, and will feel snubbed if not participating.
Activities And Expectations Of A Tea Cup Poodle
Tea cup poodles need plenty of exercise – and indoor play is often not enough. They need to walk! They enjoy daily walks and playing in the water is a favorite. Without enough exercise, tea cup poodles can become high-strung and nervous.
Without proper socialization, tea cup poodles can be reserved with strangers. The efforts toward training and socializing will usually pay off in the long run. The owner needs to be certain that the poodle regards him as the pack leader, or it may snap or growl at the least provocation.
Are They Watchdog Material?
Like other poodles, tea cup poodles can be trained to be watchdogs. Without any boundaries or rules, they will be noisy, barking at the tiniest change or difference. People walking past on the street will cause them to sound the alarm – and they will become a neighborhood nuisance. Tea cup poodle owners need to train their puppies from infancy, giving them limitations right from the start so they will learn when to bark and when to be silent.
The Health Of A Tea Cup Poodle – What’s The Real Story?
There are many diseases that poodles are prone to, primarily those of the joints and eyes. Cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy can end in blindness. Runny eyes and ear infections are also typical of the breed. Other common diseases are diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, allergies, and skin conditions. Brown poodles tend to get gray at an early ago. Their life expectancy as 12 – 15 years.
Tell Me History – Or: Why The Weird Haircut?
The origin of the poodle is not clear. The most convincing story is that it came from France. The name “poodle” is derived from the German word “pudel,” which means “plays in water.” In France, however, this dog is known as the “Caniche,” or duck dog. This makes sense, considering that the poodle was used as a gun dog, to retrieve waterfowl while hunting. The hunters would cut their dogs hair to make it easier for the dog to swim. They left hair over the joints to keep them safe from the sharp rocks and reeds underwater.
