<em>"kira, don't forget little dogs have longer life spans then bigger dogs."</em><br /> I think lifespans may be more based on the breed itself.. But I could be wrong. Either way, I just don't like the idea of breeding dogs that don't meet up with breed standards.

Kaηdєє - Yes, I agree with you there. Teacup dogs are different than miniatures. I do not agree with the teacup dogs - small dogs being made smaller, but I'm okay with big dogs being made into minis as long as the health checks are done and the conformation is still there. :)<br /> <br /> The breeder that I got my puppy from breeds standards and minis, plus some toy Aussies. She does all their health checks and has NEVER had ANY health problems in her breeding program. Her puppies have titled in everything except Herding (one of her pups is being trained in it now) and the dogs still have their original wonderful conformation - just in a smaller size. THIS is the kind of "mini" breeding that I agree with.

---

@ Purrs_Port, I agree 100% with you there<br /> <br /> @LiveForHim, my main problem is the majority of the so called "tea cups" are not large dogs. They are small dogs, like chihuhua's or pomeranians. Breeds that really shouldn't be smaller. And if you google it, look at the prices. They usually run $1000+ . The parents have zero health tests having been done, and have no titles to prove any claims of the dog excelling at anything. If the breeder is responsible in it, is breeding for a smaller sized large dog, gets the dog titled, has the dogs health tested before breeding, and knows what he/she is doing then I see no problem. What I have the issue with is taking the smallest chi you can find and breeding it with another small chi, neither being tested titled or anything, and then charging $1000+ for a dog that has tons of hidden health issues that they created simply because the dog is small and they can charge that much.

I do not disagree with minis, although the teacup dogs annoy me. A yorkie or chihuahua doesn't need to be any smaller than they are. But some people want the brains of an aussie without the size. Many people cannot afford a big dog. My new puppy, and aussie, is MASCA registerable (Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America), but his mom was a UKC champion.<br /> <br /> I believe that as long as we are not forfeiting the conformation and the health of true aussies, it would be profitable to offer aussies in all sizes. "Look at this big dog! It can do ALL these things! Look at this little dog! It can do ALL these things, too!"<br /> <br /> The whole thing that started the problems with the mini aussies is that they have beat quote quote "real" aussies, even though the minis can be traced back and are purebred, real aussies, too. If you're big aussie gets beat by a mini aussie, don't call the mini aussie a mutt - get your own. Also, mini aussies aren't selling for more than big aussies, at least not in our area. My puppy, son of champions, was only $650. "Real" aussies with that kind of lineage can sell for much more.<br /> <br /> AKC itself says "Quality is not to be sacrificed in favor of size." If the quality is there, and the health, size does not matter.<br /> <br /> That's my opinion.<br /> <br /> EDIT - Celestial88 said "I don't support breeding out of standard either, unless it is genuinely beneficial for the animal in their line of "work" whatever that may be."<br /> <br /> Aussies were bred originally for herding livestock. Getting them smaller isn't helping with that. But that was then... NOW aussies are being used for companions, agility, rally, and obedience. Any size dog can do the three last ones. But for being a companion, a big, high energy dog will get bored without something to do. Just being a pet is not the thing for big aussies who need a job. That's when the minis come in handy.<br /> <br /> What I think we should do, is work together. Let the big dog people breed their big dogs. If their dogs get beat by the little dogs, work a little harder. Train a little more. Make your dog the best it can be instead of just trying to make the competition bad so you can scape by with the bare minimum. The little dog people can breed their little dogs, keeping in mind to watch out for health and conformation in order to retain the quality of the big dogs.<br /> <br /> Then, when someone decides that they love Aussies, and can't have a dog indoors, they can get a standard aussie. If they can't afford a big dog, they can get a miniature aussie. Everyone's happy, and the quality and health has not failed.

---

I don't support breeding dogs just for size, weather it be for larger or smaller than the normal size of the breed. I think dogs should be bred for quality, healthy dogs. Not just for size.

Forgot to mention, I don't support breeding out of standard either, unless it is genuinely beneficial for the animal in their line of "work" whatever that may be.<br />

Teacup breeding is in my opinion breeding runt to runt, I know from friend whom has chihuahuas when young they are much more likely to have hypoglycemia to the extent of having it severely enough to die from it. I love all breeds and sizes but breeding dogs down to "teacup" is as bad genetically as breeding for giants in large breeds with subsequent known genetic issues of questionable joints, tendency to bloat etc. Smaller dogs are also prone to injury and deaths from accidents within the home, even trying to jump on or off chairsnand furniture. My opinion

From my experience, lifespan of the dog relies primarily on the breeding behind it, not necessarily size.<br /> <br /> A lot of larger breeds, such as Mastiff-type dogs who were bred to have overly exaggerated bodies won't live as long because they're hard on themselves.<br /> <br /> Yet I've seen mastiffs from working lines live well past 13. Then again, there was a lot of good breeding and health testing in the lines behind those dogs.

kira, don't forget little dogs have longer life spans then bigger dogs.

i think every dog is cute and i personally like how chihuahuas look like rats ( i &lt;3 rats ) but however i just prefer Larger dogs compared to toy dogs. i just cant see toy breeds as Dogs, because i can't roughhouse with them like i can do with my pit bull or something. and as for mineratures, i understand that they are Brilliant but i still like giant dogs better. it's just how i was raised. i find giant dogs like mastiffs great danes rotties st brenards Irresistable. (the fluffyness, the slobber, the wrinkles!) i just makes me think of a gentle giant. i like how tolerant they are. so yes i understand that toy breeds make great cuddle buddies since they're lapdogs, and 'minies or medium sized' are very brilliant, but in the end, my heart belongs to the Gentle Giant.