Find Something Cuter Than These Teacup Dogs — We Dare You

Teacup dogs are the tiniest of dog breeds. But you may be surprised to learn that “teacup” is not an officially recognized term. The American Kennel Club (AKC) explains that the “toy” group are the smallest dogs in the AKC, and they do not register or endorse teacup breeds. Unofficially, however, the website K9 of Mine notes that teacup breeds are those dogs who measure 17 inches or smaller and weigh four pounds or less when fully grown.

Many breeders will mate “runts,” or the smallest dog in a litter, in an attempt to create even more tiny dogs. These runts are marketed as “teacup dogs” and can sell for thousands of dollars. Animal Planet explains that because of this, teacups are often a pound or more under the AKC approved weight for their breed. These breeding practices may also lead teacup dogs to develop more health problems than standard or toy dogs of the same breed. Because of this, it’s important to have a teacup dog checked by an independent veterinarian before bringing it home.

If you have your heart set on a tiny dog, here are some of the cutest teacup dog breeds.