The smallest breed of dog in the world is generally considered to be the Chihuahua, but a couple “Smallest Dogs in the World” Guinness record holders were Pomeranians. One Jack Russell-Chihuahua cross and a “teacup” Yorkshire Terrier have also just barely missed the title. One Yorkshire Terrier named Big Boss (at a mere 4.7 inches tall) was the world’s smallest dog from his first birthday in 1995 until his death in 2002.
The average Chihuahua is about eight inches tall, but they can grow to be just over a foot tall or can be as small as six inches – usually. There are those that get smaller, such as Heaven Sent Brandy, a Chihuahua from Florida who is a mere six inches long and a whopping two pounds.
Scooter
In 2009, there was also a Maltese from Australia named Scooter, who is one of the smallest dogs in the world. At six months of age, he was only 400 grams (about the same as a stick of butter) at the time of his untimely death due to complication of medications for treating a severely broken leg. The medications gave him stomach ulcers. He got the mangled leg simply by jumping out of a person’s arms.
The sad story of Scooter shows just how fragile tiny dogs can be. They may have skeletons that easily fracture and can not handle the usual rough and tumble puppy games. They may have to be kept from playing with other, larger puppies, which will greatly hamper their efforts at socialization.
Keep in mind that the smaller the dog, the easier you are to lose it. Small dogs can easily get into dangerous situations such as a trash can or the wash.
What about Teacup Dogs?
Which makes it all the more heartbreaking that there is a trend to breeding “teacup”, “miniature” or “pocket” dogs of all breeds. Teacup or pocket Beagles are seemingly all of the rage on the internet, but Beagle lovers warn that any Beagle under ten inches tall at the shoulder is plagued with both behaviour and physical problems all of their lives. They are also prone to genetic conditions such as hip dysplasia and epilepsy.
Medications for dogs are usually based on the dog’s body weight. But what if you have a micro-dog? Finding out the right dosage is anyone’s guess. Such tiny dogs are also high risk of dying if they have to go under anaesthesia. Blood loss that wouldn’t make a Jack Russell blink may kill a tiny dog. Toy dogs are notorious for developing hypoglycaemia, which can also be lethal in a micro-dog.
Although the genetic makeup of dogs will sometime produce a very small animal, deliberately breeding such tiny dogs doomed to have a short, sickly and isolated life seems reprehensible.
Reference:
- www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/natural_world/animal_extremes/smallest_dog_livin
- dogsinthenews.com/issues/0201/articles/020115a.htm
- www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-teacup-dog.htm
