I don't like them. Breeding for extremely small dogs seems ridiculous. If you wanted a small dog, get a Chihuahua... And why is it really so important to have smaller dogs? I'm sure there's a whole mess of health issues just waiting to pop up if "teacup" dogs aren't bred with professional caution.

Just thought I'd mention the fact that "teacup" dogs DO NOT EXIST. It's just a term used by people who want their dogs to be more desirable, which I think is sick and wrong. "Teacup" dogs are usually just individuals which are smaller than a normal specimen of that breed would be.

As much as i dislike all the breeding for smaller and smaller dogs, the practice makes my boss lots of money fixing the problems associated with these dogs, such as luxateing patellas and the many other problems associated with the over breeding of these tiny animals...

If the breeder is breeding with the dog's health and both physical and mental stability in mind, and performing appropriate health tests, then I see no problem with it. After all, all our currently existing breeds came from selectively breeding or combining other breeds. I don't see anyone protesting miniature dachshunds or miniature schnauzers, because they've been established for a long time. They were created the same way.<br /> <br /> However, my issue comes with people breeding for size alone and ignoring the most fundamental role as a breeder- to create dogs that are <i>healthy</i> in both body and mind and are therefore fit to perform their role as, in this case, a companion. <br /> <br /> A companion dog should not be bred solely for looks. It as much as any other dog, serves a role. A dog that has shaky and completely unreliable nerves and reacts fearfully and/or aggressively to other dogs, people, or new situations in general, is not a good companion dog. A dog that develops structural deformities and has to undergo expensive veterinary care at the age of five just so it can have a normal life is not a well bred companion dog.<br /> <br /> I see this all too often in the small breeds. My mother owns three dogs like this. The oldest one is completely falling apart with arthritis, heart problems, and allergies.. all things that can be genetic, and all things that if the breeder had selected for strong joints and bone structure, healthy hearts (there is an OFA test for this), and bred for strong immune systems, would not be problems costing my mother thousands of dollars now. The younger two, while physically sound, have horrendously shaky nerves. The middle one is extremely fear aggressive towards other dogs, and even I as a behavior modification specialist who has been working with her for years has only managed to minimize her problems. The youngest one, who has become my current project, is much worse. I've been working with him since he was a puppy, socialized within an inch of his life, and he is still an extremely reactive-aggressive dog. His nerves are such that any new situation that he has not been carefully acclimated to with extensive behavior modification will cause him to go into deference and can lead to aggression. He is extremely reactive towards other dogs and he often has a "fear episode" right in the middle of a spell of doing extremely well and having no problems. Because of his nerves, he will simply just snap sometimes. Her dogs are only two of the hundreds of examples I've seen. I have met and been bitten by ten times more fear-aggressive small dogs than ALL of the big dogs I've worked with for any aggression problem. Does this mean all small dogs have terrible nerves? Absolutely not! But there is a definite trend towards breeding small dogs without any regard towards health or temperament, because small dogs are popular and make money. <br /> <br /> Personally, I wouldn't wish a dog with nerves like my mother's dogs on anybody.<br /> <br /> Long story short.. If a breeder manages to breed dogs that are tiny like teacup dogs are, and can still breed them for optimum health, temperament, and overall soundless, then more power to them.<br /> <br /> But a dog with structural problems like joint issues, arthritis, and dysplasia, a dog with a nervous and shaky temperament that is fearful by nature and can lash out with aggression despite any amount of socialization.. is not living up to its role as a successful companion dog, which it was bred to do, and is not a very difficult task to achieve. And I <b>abhor</b> any breeder who knowingly produces dogs such as these. Of any size, shape, or color.

This has been covered I'm sure. As long as the results of breeding for a smaller dog doesn't create incredibly fragile and health-problem plagued dogs, I'm okay with it.<br /> <br /> <img src=http://i817.photobucket.com/albums/zz95/mcjarubas/teacup%20chihuahua/teacup-chihuahua.jpg> <br /> <br /> And I wish I had a Chihuahua to ride in a cup in my car. 3:

Serpent, if you can't see a small dog as anything other than an accessory, maybe the real problem lies with your perception.<br /> <br /> The problem is not the dogs. It's people who look at them as accessories. A mini or toy dog can still fulfill the role of companion and even therapist, just as my mini Aussie does. It all comes down to people, so you -should- be saying that you dislike the owners of small dogs who only use them as accessories.<br /> <br /> There's no justified reason to be prejudiced against small dogs just because they're small. It's like saying you don't like small people for the same reason. What I don't like is people who try to treat small people like they're inept children.<br /> <br /> Just like I don't agree with people who try to treat mini or toy dogs different just because of their size, as compared to how one would interact with a large dog.

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Kael. Thank you. There are a plethora of people on Alacrity who seem to forget that "companion dog" is actually a function.<br /> <br /> Also, the mini Aussie, Moth, is absolutely not an accessory. He's used as a companion and <i>therapy dog</i>. Please don't make blanket statements and generalizations, Serpent.<br /> <br /> This is Moth, Carni's mini Australian Shepherd. He's never dressed in anything ridiculous, carried in a bag, or any hallmark of an accessory dog. He just happens to be small.<br /> <br /> <a target='_blank' href='http://img94.imageshack.us/i/mothg.jpg/'><img src='http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/6688/mothg.th.jpg' border='0'/></a><br /> <br /> Click for a bigger version.

I don't like them. I honestly hate the whole idea of Dogs as accessories.<br /> Thats what they are, their like, living breathing accessories. not even dogs anymore. XP

<i> Hate em. Only reason a dog should be that small is if it's job is to go and get rats out of a barn or somethin</i><br /> <br /> Y'know, there are such breeds whose sole job is to be a companion. Not every dog needs to have some working mission. The reality is that most dogs will never have a job other than to love a family. Small dogs are just as capable of fulfilling this role as any other. <br /> <br /> To answer the original question, I don't see an issue with breeding for smaller versions of the original breed. I would rather they not be marketed as AKC (even if they may be simply because it's really only a breed registry) because they do not meet the breed standards. Selective breeding to enhance one trait over another is a human practice that dates back thousands of years. As long as the breeding is done carefully and ethically with things such as overall health and temperament in mind, I see no problem with this.

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I agree with all that has been said :3<br /> <br /> If it is, like Mini Aussies, I have no issue IF the dog is bred correctly. Bad choice of words there, but what Im trying to say is "Mini" Breeds are ok as long as the pet can still perform their original function. Like Rat Terriers shouldn't be bred to the point of being the size of a Chihuahua and have loads of health issues and be like the French Bulldogs and not even be able to have pups without c-sections and artificial insemination.<br /> <br /> Not saying I completely agree with the idea of making them smaller, but I find it easier to say its OK when they breed them professionally...not like a BYB, breeding to make them small and not focusing on health or anything else.<br /> <br />