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What are teacup dogs, which miniature pet breeds are on sale in the UK and do they have health problems?

They will undoubtedly make you 'awww', but teacup dogs are more than just a fashion statement.

THEY are the perfect companion if you want a dog but don't have the space.

But how easy is it to get your hands on a teacup dog, and what are the health risks they could suffer from..?

 Teacup dogs are undeniably cute
Teacup dogs are undeniably cuteCredit: norbertthedog/Instagram

What are teacup dogs?

Teacup dogs is the unofficial but most commonly known nickname for tiny dogs that don't exceed the size of a puppy their whole life.

The dogs are obviously adorable and are popular amongst celebrities, but are often compared to accessories due to their size.

They don't come cheap either, if you were after a teacup puppy it could set you back anywhere from £1,000 to £6,000!

Breeders are often criticised, as smaller then average dogs, who shouldn't typically be allowed to reproduce are paired together to generate litters of the in-demand teacup dogs.

 Smaller than average dogs are paired together to create litters of even smaller dogs
Smaller than average dogs are paired together to create litters of even smaller dogsCredit: Getty - Contributor

Which breeds can you get in the UK?

In the UK there's a wide variety of teacup dogs for sale, and a lot are advertised on websites.

Teacup versions of Chihuahuas, Maltese Terriers, Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, and Pomeranian are popular.

Pomskies, Shi Tzus, Beagles, Pugs and a lot more are being bred here in the UK, but they're not cheap at all.

Do the dogs get health problems?

Because of their small size, the dogs can be incredibly fragile and are prone to health problems.

As the demand and the potential price point for teacups is so high, this means there are a LOT of dodgy breeders out there, who will often inbreed the dogs, causing a plethora of problems.

Their lifespans aren't as long as a normal-sized dog, they often suffer from low blood sugar which requires feeding often throughout the day and they often suffer from digestive troubles.

Due to their size they can be prone to liver shunts, hydrocephalus, heart problems and respiratory problems, all of which can add up to a hefty vets bill, which often increases due to their size and how hard it is to operate on them.

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