Last Updated on April 10, 2024 by Denise Leo
Pomeranians are adored for their adorable, fluffy appearance and unyielding loyalty. But did you know that what people commonly call a “teacup” Pomeranian might not be what it seems?
In truth, the term is often used mistakenly – those labeled as “teacups” are typically just the show standard Pomeranian breed meticulously bred by Preservation breeders. Let’s explore the reality of these tiny pups and clarify the confusion.
“We would like to shed light on an important fact: teacup Pomeranians are not recognized as a distinct breed by any kennel clubs. The term ‘teacup’ is thought to refer to extremely small Pomeranians bred through selective breeding for their diminutive size. The reality is that these small dogs are the popular show standard Pomeranian breed, carefully bred by preservation breeders.”
Pomeranian Headquarters
Pomeranian Teacup Facts
- The Teacup Pomeranian is the tiny puppy stealing hearts for years! This pint-sized ball of love has become a popular toy breed for dog owners everywhere.
- Did you know that “Teacup” is not an actual breed of Pomeranian but rather an unofficial designation for show-type Poms?
- If you’re looking for a small and cuddly pet, adult Teacup Pomeranians could be perfect. These furry friends typically weigh between 3 and 7 pounds and measure 8 to 11 inches from the tip of their shoulder blades to the ground. So, they are adorable and will only take up a little space in your home!
- Meet the small but mighty – the adorable and loyal companions with boundless energy and sharp intellects. These furry friends are the perfect addition to any household.
- Discover many color options for Pomeranians, including classic cream, elegant white, rich brown, eye-catching black & white parti, warm orange or tan, and beautiful sable. Explore even more possibilities for your perfect pet companion.
- Teacup Pomeranians are adorable pets, but their temperament requires early socialization and training. Due to their elevated self-image, they may develop small dog syndrome. Giving them the proper attention and training is essential to avoid this issue.
- The cost of Teacup puppies varies between $2000 and $8000, based on factors such as color, sex, health testing, and champion status of their parents.
- Don’t waste your time sifting through ads for teacup pups. Instead, go straight to the experts – reputable breeders who have authentic show standard-sized puppies waiting for their new homes.
What Is a Teacup Pomeranian?
Want a small-sized Pomeranian? You might have heard of Teacup Pomeranians – named after the tiny tea cups of olden times. Remember that while it’s a common term, it’s not an official breed name. Instead, look for the show-type Pomeranian if you’re interested in these cute, compact dogs.
Information on Teacup Pomeranian Dogs
Are you looking for a white teacup Pomeranian puppy, or tiny toy pomeranian puppies for sale?
I will tell you to stop searching for, or even looking at, these types of advertisements for teacup Pomeranian.
The Type Of Advertisements to Also Avoid Often Include Terms Like the Following:
- Boo puppy for sale.
- Mini teacup Pomeranian.
- Cheap teacup Pomeranian for sale.
- Miniature Pomeranians for sale.
- Micro mini Pomeranians for sale.
- Micro mini Pomeranian.
- Teacup Pomeranian breeders.
- Micro teacup Pomeranian.
- Pomeranian teacups.
- Mini Pomeranian.
- Mini poms.
- Micro mini Pomeranian.
- Micro Pomeranian puppies for sale.
- Affordable teacup Pomeranian puppies.
- Baby teacup Pomeranian puppies for sale.
- Teacup pom for sale.
The above terms are common sales gimmicks utilized by puppy scammers and unscrupulous puppy sellers to attract buyers and probably, for the most part, are puppy scams.
Where to Buy a Teacup Pomeranian?
The answer is nowhere, but don’t give up yet; the concrete realities relating to miniature Pomeranians or teacup Pomeranians will be revealed.
A regular Pomeranian originating from a preservation Pomeranian breeder is typically the type of dog the general public incorrectly believe is known as a teacup Pomeranian.
Correct Teacup Pomeranian Info
No dog breed, such as Teacup Pom, Miniature Pomeranian, Mini Pomeranian, Toy Pomeranian, Pocket Pomeranian, Miniature Poms, Micro Teacup Pomeranian, or Pomeranian Teacup exists….just POMERANIANS.
Where to Buy Pomeranian Puppies?
I am going to explain how to find real Pomeranian puppies for sale.
People Looking for a Pomeranian Puppy:
A puppy buyer looking for a teacup Pomeranian breeder is probably looking for a show or preservation breeder. Always purchase a Pomeranian from SHOW Pomeranian puppy breeders.
A show Pomeranian breeder breeds dogs conforming closely to the Pomeranian breed standard. You can expect a pup purchased from someone showing their dogs to be a short nose Pomeranian and this tiny Pomeranian dog should mature between 2 to 2.5 kilos.
Ask the breeder about health testing, whether the parents are champions and DNA profiling.
What Does a Teacup Pomeranian Look Like?
After talking with people who email asking if I have a teacup Pomeranian puppy for sale, I have found that these buyers wish to purchase a correct show-type puppy.
Many people think teacup Pomeranian is the correct term for a short snout, small Pomeranian, or tiny Pomeranian. These people incorrectly think a show-quality Pomeranian is called a teacup toy Pom.
Suppose you’re hunting for a Pomeranian but need clarification about the available dog breeds. In that case, it’s essential to know that a regular Pomeranian from a reputable breeder is often mistakenly called a Teacup Pomeranian. The truth is, a show-sized Pomeranian is actually what’s often called a Teacup Pomeranian.
Let’s Clear Up Confusion About Adult Teacup Pomeranian Size
The present Pomeranian standard states the Pomeranian should be within the following weight:
- Size: Dogs 1.8. kg to 2 kg. Bitches 2 kg. to 2.5 kg.
- The U.S. Pomeranian breed standard size is between 3 and 7 lb in weight for a mature Pomeranian. This is a very small dog.
- Newborn Pomeranian Pups are usually between 2 and 5 oz.
- An Adult Pomeranian can range in height from about 8 – 11″ (20.3 – 27.9 cm).
How Big Do Teacup Pomeranians Get?
Teacup Pomeranian weight:
If the mini teacup Pomeranian you desperately wish to own is, in reality, a show Pom, then this is the teacup Pomeranian height, and a teacup Pomeranian full-grown size will be the same as a show Pom.
The Pom breed standard deviates from most others by requiring the female to be slightly larger than the male.
At the formation of the English Pomeranian Club, the breed was divided by weight into two sections: one for Pomeranians under 8 lbs and the other for Pomeranians over 8 lbs. What was then called the Toy Pomeranian? This Toy Pomeranian should be under 8 lbs in weight, and height did not exceed 8 inches at the shoulder.
1909 saw updates to the Pomeranian standard. The 1909 Breed Standard mentions Pomeranian miniatures being under 7lbs desired weight, and any Pomeranian over this weight was classed as a Pomeranian.
Four challenge certificates were granted by the Kennel Club, one for each sex in either weight. In 1908 the challenge certificates were reduced to two, but after requests to the kennel club, the number of challenge certificates for Pomeranians was again reinstated to four challenge certificates.
In 1915 the Kennel Club withdrew the challenge certificates for the over 7lb Pomeranians. After 1915, there became officially just one Pomeranian, ideally weighing under 7lb at maturity.
Are Teacup Pomeranians Real?
The term “Teacup Pomeranian” is not recognized as an official dog breed. Untrustworthy breeders often use this label to market small Pomeranian puppies. However, the show standard Pomeranian is a recognized breed of dog and, when fully grown, typically weighs between 3 and 7 pounds.
Prospective Pom owners are often confused by advertising when buying a Puppy.
A lot of this confusion is caused by dubious outlets, e.g., pet shops, backyard breeders, and unfortunately, even some not-so-good registered breeders using these advertising ploys on unsuspecting buyers.
How Many Puppies Do Pomeranians Have?
The correct-sized show Pom does not have a big litter. 1 to 3 Pom babies in a litter is the norm for a Pedigreed, Registered Show Pomeranian.
After 40 years of experience breeding Pomeranians, I will state that 3 to 4 Pomeranian puppies in a litter from a pedigreed, registered show Pomeranian is a large litter.
Tiny Pomeranian dogs are not economically viable for puppy mills and backyard breeders. Most “Pomeranians” sourced from these outlets seem entirely different from the show Pomeranian.
When very young, the pups still look cute to the uneducated eye, but as they mature, these dogs get bigger and bigger, long-nosed, long-backed, have long legs, are big-eared, lack head and leg coats, and very often have low tail sets.
Beware of Advertising for Teacup Pomeranians, Miniature Pomeranians
We have all seen advertisements for teacup Pomeranian puppies or mini Pomeranian puppies for sale. You can be sure that anyone who uses these terms to sell Pomeranian pups is not reputable.
My advice is to always purchase from a reputable pom breeder, so I advise you to avoid any “breeder” advertising or mentioning their puppies by these terms. I would look for your new family member elsewhere.
A Pomeranian dog recognized as show quality should be in the weight range of 2 to 2.5. kilos. There is a good reason to have a minimum weight of 2 kilos.
There are often problems with very small animals. Among the most common to appear are associated with health and vulnerability to ailments that larger animals of that breed often take in their stride.
An underlying health problem usually restricts a very small puppy’s growth. Most often, this health problem will be of a very serious nature.
Breeding very small Pomeranians is often fraught with problems. Natural whelping is often impossible and veterinary intervention may be required, resulting in vet bills.
The smallest puppies in a litter often have problems feeding naturally from their mother. The larger, more robust puppies will push the smaller sibling of the teat. Human intervention, tube feeding if the puppy is very weak or bottle feeding for a slightly stronger puppy, is required if this puppy is to survive.
In most animals, the small members of the litter are called “runts.” The runts are not looked at as having any breeding potential and are certainly not used in any breeding program, nor are they built up as something to be sought after. The percentage of “runts” are generally kept to a minimum in any good breeding program.
Very small Pomeranians are far more fragile than normal-sized Pomeranians. Often requiring a lot of special care during their lifetime.
Tiny Poms are NOT Suitable in Households with Young Children
A small Pom can be easily killed or suffer serious injuries by being dropped by a young child. Selecting the healthiest puppy when purchasing a Pomeranian as a family companion or pet is essential. A shortened life span on a much-loved family pet will significantly affect all family members.
If you are still determined to have a very small Pomeranian ( less than 4lb as an adult ). Go to extreme lengths to ensure that you purchase a healthy and active Pomeranian puppy.
I would avoid having a small Pomeranian puppy shipped, so make arrangements to see the puppy in the fur before purchase. Ask about the puppy’s age.
Pomeranian puppies should not leave their mother and siblings until at least eight weeks. A small Pomeranian dog puppy should not leave the breeder until at least 10 to 12 weeks.
Final thoughts on Miniature Pomeranian or Teacup Pomeranians
To sum up, teacup Pomeranians can be charming and lovable little companion animals if buyers know what they’re getting into. Researching their true size and health issues that may occur in this breed is essential for animal lovers who want the most out of life with a unique pet.
However, it’s crucial to note that tiny Pomeranians are more susceptible to health issues and require extra care and attention. We encourage potential owners to prioritize the well-being of these lovable companions over their size, ensuring they are responsibly bred and given the necessary veterinary care.
Lastly, ensure you have the time and resources to properly care for teacup Pomeranians, as these pocket-sized puppies will require a lot of attention, quality food, regular doctor appointments, grooming sessions, and plenty of love. These furry family members can bring joy and adventure with the right fit!
N.B. This article first appeared on the Pomeranian headquarters website and is published here with the author’s written permission.
Copyright Pomeranian.org. All Rights Reserved.
References and Further Reading:
[1] Official ANKC Australian Pomeranian Breeder Standard
[2] Official English Kennel Club Pomeranian Breed Standard, 2017.
[3] Denise Leo, The Pomeranian Handbook.
[2] Kimbering Pomeranians “1891-1991”.
Learn Everything about Pomeranians in The Pomeranian Handbook
( Printed and shipped in Australia).
