Teacup Dachshund Guide – The Truth About This Toy Breed!

Teacup Dachshunds (AKA Toy Dachshunds) are all the rage due to their cute faces and tiny size that is so small they could fit into a designer purse. While it may seem advantageous to own a pocket sized dog that you can take anywhere and doesn’t consume large quantities of food, Teacup Dachshunds are predisposed to many health issues as a result of their tiny size.

If you are interested in Teacup Dachshunds keep reading this guide to find out the answers to all your questions about this tiny breed.

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What Is A Teacup Dachshund?

A Teacup Dachshund is the smallest Dachshund size. It is not an official Dachshund breed size so it is not recognised by the American Kennel Club (AKC). They are produced by breeding the runts of a Miniature Dachshund litters together until the breeder consistently creates the Teacup size. The breeding practices are often not very ethical as these dogs often suffer from debilitating size related health issues. Alternatively, breeders cross another smaller dog breed into the lineage however these Dachshunds are not purebred dogs.

As it is an unofficial Dachshund size, there are many different names breeders give the smallest size of Dachshund. Some breeders call them “Teacup Dachshunds” while others call them “Toy Dachshunds”. These are the same size dog.

Overall, the breeding practice is unnatural and many breeders do it to have a marketing edge. Often, the Dachshunds that are selected for breedings are smaller than normal because of a medical condition or a birth defect, leading to further health risks with each successive generation.

What Does A Teacup Dachshund Look Like?

Teacup Dachshunds look like any other Dachshund except they are extremely small. They have a body that is much longer than it is tall which is why the breed is often referred to as a sausage dog. Teacup Dachshunds can come in many colors including black, red, chocolate and patterns such as dapple. They can also be long haired, wire haired or short haired however most Teacup Dachshunds are short haired.

The Appeal Of Teacup Dachshunds

Besides Teacup Dachshunds being extremely cute there are a lot of perceived advantages of owning a Teacup dog. Some reasons include:

Teacup Dachshunds require less exercise as they have lower energy levels than the larger sizes of the breed.
Teacup Dachshunds take up less space so they are highly suited to apartment living.
Teacup Dachshunds eat less as they are so small which can keep yearly costs down.
Teacup Dachshunds shed less hair than the average Dachshund due to their smaller size.

The Disadvantages Of Teacup Dachshunds

In more cases than not the disadvantages of owning a Teacup Dachshund outweigh the advantages. This is because:

Teacup Dachshunds are at a high risk of developing serious health issues.
Teacup Dachshunds have more vet bills over their lives compared to the average dog.
Teacup Dachshunds can easily get hurt as they are so fragile.
Teacup Dachshunds can not socialize with larger dogs as they are so fragile and are usually also quite fearful.
Teacup Dachshunds are more expensive than larger sizes of Dachshund.
Teacup Dachshunds are not suited to families with children as they can accidentally get hurt.

Are Teacup Dachshunds Healthy?

Teacup Dachshunds, along with other Teacup breeds, are not very healthy due to their extremely tiny size. They can suffer from health issues such as poor bone density, heart defects, heart murmurs, dental & gum problems, liver shunts, kidney problems, hypoglycaemia, patella luxation, hydrocephalus and seizures etc. They are also very likely to suffer from bone fractures as they have low bone density.

Teacup Dachshund Characteristics

Teacup Dachshund Characteristics
Height	5 to 6 inches (12.7cm to 15.2cm).
Weight	7 to 9 pounds (3.2kg to 4.1kg).
Temperament	Upbeat, friendly, playful.
Activity Levels	Low.
Exercise Requirements	30 to 60 min per day.
Lifespan	10 to 12 years.
Coat	Single coat.
Eyes	Brown or black.
Shedding	Light to moderate shedding.
Apartment Adaptability	Can live in an apartment if given enough exercise daily.
Good with Children	Yes.

Teacup Dachshund Size

Teacup Dachshunds get to a height of 5 to 6 inches (12.7cm to 15.2cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh between 7 and 9 pounds (3.2kg to 4.1kg). They are the smallest Dachshund size. There is no official teacup Dachshund size as they are not recognised by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Teacup Dachshund Price

Teacup Dachshunds cost between $2000USD and $6000USD. They are one of the most expensive Dachshund sizes as they are incredibly hard to breed. Breeders need to breed multiple generations of Dachshunds until they consistently get the teacup size. Additionally, the litter sizes are very small which means it is not as profitable for breeders to create this size of dog.

Teacup Dachshund Lifespan

Teacup Dachshunds have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years. Their lifespan is shorter than larger Dachshund sizes as they are more likely to suffer from size related health issues. They are more likely to suffer from a fatal injury than other Dachshund sizes as they have very fragile bones and not much muscle mass to support their skeletal system. In comparison, Standard Dachshunds have a lifespan of 12 to 16 years.

Teacup Dachshund Temperament

Teacup Dachshunds have an upbeat, friendly and playful temperament. They are very loyal and can be a fantastic companion dog, however they are not necessarily a good family dog due to their tiny size and predisposition to back injuries.

While Teacup Dachshunds have a lovely temperament overall, they can at times display signs of small dog syndrome such as being overly excited, jumping on people, being yappy as well as growling at other people or dogs out of fear.

Do Teacup Dachshunds Shed?

Teacup Dachshunds are light to moderate shedders. They’ll drop hair around the house everyday and you’ll notice their fur on your clothing and furniture, especially if it is in a contrasting color. Smooth Coated Teacup Dachshunds tend to shed a bit more than Long Haired Teacup Dachshunds.

The best way to reduce the amount that your dog sheds is to regularly brush them. Slicker brushes are great for dogs with single coats and deshedding tools are great for dogs with double coats.

Are Teacup Dachshunds Hypoallergenic?

Teacup Dachshunds are not hypoallergenic as they release dander into their surrounding when they shed. Dog allergy symptoms are usually caused by dander which is composed of tiny particles of skin shed by dogs along with a bit of their fur. Allergy symptoms can also flare up from the proteins founds in dog saliva, urine and feces. Like dander, dried saliva can flake off a dog’s skin or fur and become airborne.

You can make your dog even more hypoallergenic by keeping up a good grooming routine as it will stop them from releasing allergens into your home.

Your dog’s grooming routine should include both brushing and bathing. A brush down with a slicker brush every other day is ideal to remove any loose hairs. As for washing, a bath with a gentle dog shampoo every 3 months will remove dead skin cells, dirt and debris.

This may not seem that often but you don’t want to over wash your dog otherwise their coat will dry out which will only cause flaky skin which is an allergy irritant.

Teacup Dachshund Coat Colors

Dapple Teacup Dachshund

Dapple Teacup Dachshunds have a mottled coat that is either blue, grey, white and tan or red, copper, beige and white. Dapple Teacup Dachshunds carry the merle gene which affects their coloring resulting in the distinct pattern. The merle gene also affects eye color and skin pigmentation on the nose and paws. This means that Dapple Teacup Dachshunds often have blue eyes and often have pink patches on their nose and paws.

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Black & Tan Teacup Dachshund

Black and Tan Teacup Dachshunds feature a mainly black coat with tan patches on their muzzle, ends of their legs, chest and above their eyes giving the appearance of tiny eyebrows. It is one of the most common Dachshund coat colors.

Red Teacup Dachshund

Red Teacup Dachshunds feature a solid coat that can range from a deep brownish red to a very light, almost yellow shade. Red Teacup Dachshunds usually have dark brown eyes and brown noses. Their red coat is usually slightly lighter under their belly and chest than on their back. For larger/standard Dachshund sizes, red is recognized as a standard coat color by the American Kennel Club.

Brindle Teacup Dachshund

Brindle Teacup Dachshunds have a tiger striped coat that usually features tan and black. Usually the base of their coat is red and there are faint black stripes over it. The stripes are quite subtle and blend into each other so they sometimes look like a dark brown dog.

Teacup Dachshund Coat Types

Long Haired Teacup Dachshund

Long Haired Teacup Dachshunds have coats with silky, long hair. Their hair is longest on their ears, tail, neck, behind their legs and on their belly. Long Haired Teacup Dachshunds are much rarer than Teacup Smooth Haired Dachshunds. They require more attention in terms of grooming as they require weekly brushing to keep their coat in a good condition.

Smooth Haired Teacup Dachshund

Smooth Haired Teacup Dachshunds have short, shiny and dense coats. Smooth Dachshunds are very popular as their coat doesn’t require as much attention as wire-haired or long haired Dachshunds. It is the most common coat type for Teacup Dachshunds.

Wire Haired Teacup Dachshund

Wire Haired Teacup Dachshunds have a medium length coarse and slightly wavy coat. The combination of wavy but coarse hair gives their coats a rough texture. Their hair is usually a bit longer under their chin and around their muzzle, giving the appearance of a beard.

Teacup Dachshund vs Miniature Dachshund

The main difference between a Teacup Dachshund and a Miniature Dachshund is size. Teacup Dachshunds are the smallest Dachshund size while Miniature Dachshunds are the second largest. Teacup Dachshunds get to a height of 5 to 6 inches (12.7cm to 15.2cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh between 7 and 9 pounds (3.2kg to 4.1kg) while Miniature Dachshunds get to a height of 6 to 7 inches (15.2cm to 17.8cm) tall and weigh between 8 and 11 pounds (3.6kg to 5.0kg). Miniature Dachshunds are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and other kennel clubs while Teacup Dachshunds are not.

	Teacup Dachshund	Miniature Dachshund
Height	5 to 6 inches (12.7cm to 15.2cm)	6 to 7 inches (15.2cm to 17.8cm)
Weight	7 to 9 pounds (3.2kg to 4.1kg)	8 to 11 pounds (3.6kg to 5.0kg)
Price	$2000USD to $6000USD	$2000USD to $5000USD
Rarity	Rare	Common

Questions To Ask Yourself Before Getting A Teacup Dachshund

Owning a Teacup breed comes with a lot of responsibility. Before getting one ask yourself some of these questions:

Can you take care of a Teacup Dachshund?
Is everyone in the family on board and ready to welcome a tiny dog breed into the house?
Are your children responsible and old enough to live with a Teacup breed?
Can you afford the medical bills if your Teacup Dachshund becomes sick?
Do you have the flexibility to work from home and spend time observing your dog for health problems?

How To Find A Responsible Teacup Dachshund Breeder

While a lot of breeders produce Teacup Dachshunds unethically, some breeders do take the necessary steps to ensure that they are producing litters that are as healthy as possible. Here are some steps you can take before buying a Teacup Dachshund from a breeder:

Check their credibility. Go to the breeder’s social media or website and read as many reviews that you can. This will help you establish whether they are credible or not.
Ask to meet the litter before purchasing. While the breeder may provide photos and videos of their past litters on their social media accounts or website, you never know if they are real. It is a good idea to go meet the litter before you buy the dog to check out their health and wellbeing.
Assess the breeder’s responsiveness. It’s unrealistic for a breeder to respond to your queries within a few minutes of asking but they should get back to you in a reasonable time about your questions.

Be wary of breeders that:

Pressure you to make a decision about purchasing immediately.
Do no allow you to visit the puppies, pick them up in person or have a video call if you can’t personally pick up the dog.
Repeatedly suggest that you and their Teacup Dachshund are a perfect match.