The Teacup French Bulldog is a smaller/miniaturized French Bulldog. He weighs 5-14 pounds and stands at under 13 inches tall when fully grown. The Mini French Bulldog is not a separate breed and also goes by the moniker toy, micro, pocket-sized or mini Frenchies.
As a highly sought-after teeny dog, the Mini French Bulldog is ideal for small living spaces and committed owners.
However, there is a lot of mystery surrounding this endearing dog. As a lifetime commitment, it’s vital to understand the drawbacks and expenses involved in owning this dog.
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Teacup French Bulldog overview
It was only a matter of time before we saw a pocket-sized version of the bat-eared Frenchie. However, there are complications involved in owning this dog despite the “aww” appeal.
They include;
- Increased health complications
- Fragility caused by low bone density
- Possible behavioral problems
- High commitment needs
Teacup dogs may develop a host of health and behavioral issues due to their size and sketchy breeding practices.
As a marketing ploy for attracting premium buyers, no kennel registry endorses the teacup name. Additionally, it’s considered a fault as it does not conform to the breed standards.
Of course, there are exceptions and it’s possible to find ethical breeders with a smaller than average Frenchie- it’s rare. To sell these pups, the breeder has to give them a clean bill of health and a strict spay and neuter contract to prevent them from reproducing.
With the controversy surrounding dog miniaturization, especially by unscrupulous breeders, it’s crucial to understand how it’s done and how it impacts the dog’s health before committing.
French Bulldogs miniaturization
- Repeatedly breeding runts– Runts are naturally occurring-smaller than average pups often due to a genetic condition that should not be reproduced. They are usually weaker and are not able to suckle as well as other pups. An unethical breeder may repeatedly breed runts to make the offspring smaller. This increases the risk of inherited and non-inherited complications which may go undetected for years.
- Stunting growth- Some breeders may purposely stunt their pups’ growth by not providing adequate nourishment for growth. This can result in immune, digestive, and skeletal issues. Additionally, there is a chance the pup grows to the standard size after maturity when put on a healthy diet.
- Crossing a French Bulldog with a smaller breed such as a Yorkie, Maltese, a Chihuahua, and so on. This is a safer and healthier option but there is no guarantee the offspring will be similar in appearance and temperament to a French Bulldog.
Some breeders may also sell premature puppies before there are 8 weeks old and falsely advertise them as Toy Frenchies.
Teacup French Bulldog vs regular French Bulldog
Size is the biggest difference between the mini and regular French Bulldog.
As you may imagine, the Teacup French Bulldog may be twice as smaller as the regular French Bulldog. This mini version may weigh as little as 5 lbs to 14 lbs and stands at under 10 inches tall. This is much less compared to the regular 13 inches of height and 28 pounds of weight.
They are also more fragile due to their reduced bone density.
But if the dog is not a result of crossbreeding with other dog breeds, the appearance should not deviate much from the standard. The Mini French Bulldog is still characterized by the iconic bat ears and smooched wrinkly face.
Their tails are short with muscular bodies and smooth coats that shed moderately. However, this dog is not hypoallergenic.
Despite being as clownish and playful, the Teacup Frenchie may have a harder time warming up to strangers and other dogs.
Conversely, spoiling this dog is easy causing small dog syndrome as they tend to get away with a lot. The regular-sized French Bulldog is much mellow than the pocket-sized version and is thus easier to train.
Miniaturization may worsen any complications suffered by the regular French Bulldog.
Mini French Bulldog personality & temperament
This dog may be small but he has a big personality. He is loyal, friendly, affectionate, easy-going, funny, loving, and playful.
Toy Frenchies are clumsy and clownish but crave a lot of attention from their favorite human with whom they form strong bonds. As such, they are perfect couch potatoes but can be destructive when bored or suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for extended periods. They may also bark for attention.
Don’t get a Toy French Bulldog if you have young children who may unwittingly injure the dog as they cuddle or lift him.
They are generally accepting of strangers and smaller pets but male Frenchies may be aggressive to each other when not well socialized and trained.
Most dog owners may allow this dog to get away with behaviors they would not condone in larger dogs such as the Lemon Dalmatian. Don’t baby this teeny pooch if he exhibits undesired behaviors despite him being pleasant and cute as this may reinforce them.
Buying a Toy French Bulldog
The Teacup French Bulldog costs between $700 and $2000 to upwards of $4000 depending on the breeder, location, and time of the year. You shouldn’t buy this dog online.
This premium price is due to the increased demand and breeding difficulties which make it hard to get a healthy Mini Frenchie. These pups are born via cesarean section as they may have normal birth complications for being top-heavy.
Consequently, this attracts shady individuals looking to make a quick dollar. A cost that is too low or high should immediately set off alarm bells.
When getting a Mini Frenchie, tread these waters carefully. Visit the breeder’s premises and meet the sire (father) and dam (mother) to ascertain their health, temperament, and breeding conditions. Ask all relevant questions concerning the parents.
A responsible breeder should provide documentation to prove qualification. They should show that they register other pups to a major Kennel registry.
If you are lucky enough, you may find a Mini French Bulldog for adoption in the many shelters around the US. This should cost you around $200 in fees.
Teacup French Bulldog care tips
To keep this small and fragile dog healthy and happy, he will require extra care and commitment.
This will include protecting the dog from extreme heat or cold as he has difficulty regulating his body temperature. They have a hard time cooling off in hot summers and easily lose heat in winter.
Provide this dog with sufficiently warm clothing and beddings such as jackets or small doggie boots.
Other care needs will include;
- Grooming
- Proper nutrition and dieting
- Exercise
- Traning
Grooming
This dog may have a short and smooth coat but needs moderate grooming to keep the coat clean and healthy which involves brushing it with a hand mint brush. It also aids in bonding.
Use a clean damp cloth to gently wipe the dog, get rid of dead fur, and remove dirt trapped in the wrinkly face, especially after meals. This reduces the risk of irritation and infections.
Ear and dental hygiene is equally as important as this dog is prone to teeth problems
Feeding and nutrition
The Toy French Bulldog requires a nutritional and energy-full diet.
His small size increases metabolism making it difficult to maintain stable glucose levels. As such, the dog should be fed 3 to 6 times a day or every 3 to 5 hours. Feed smaller pups more frequently.
- This faster metabolism coupled with extra feeding and little to no exercise increases the risk of obesity.
As a general rule of thumb, this dog needs 30 calories (K/cal) for every pound he weighs. Thus, if your Teacup Frenchie weighs around 10 pounds he will need around 300 Kcals (300 calories) to meet his daily energy need. This will be a 1-cup serving of dry dog food per day.
| Daily calories | Cups of Kibble Per Day: |
|---|---|
| 300 | 1 |
Nutritional tips
The food can be dry, semi-moist, wet, or homemade. This dog requires amino acids from proteins, fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Amino acids provide the building blocks for growth and repair, aid in the breakdown of glucose from carbs, and provide energy. Proteins from high-quality sources have a good balance of the 10 essential amino acids such as lysine. They can be animal or plant-based and should make up at least 18% of the diet.
Fats from animals and plant seed oils provide the dog with the bulk of his energy needs and essential fatty acids to keep the dog’s coat and skin healthy. They should make up at least 7% of the diet.
Carbohydrates and fibers such as legumes, cereals, and other plants are the other sources of energy. They also require minerals such as calcium for stronger bones and vitamins to aid in metabolic activities but should be in low concentration.
Provide this teacup dog with a constant supply of clean water to cool and hydrate her. The dog will self-regulate her water intake.
Don’t be concerned about a grain-free diet as it’s a common misconception that grains in the diet trigger allergic reactions as recent studies have proved.
Exercise requirements
This is a fairly inactive dog that requires a moderate amount of physical and mental stimulation of about 20 minutes a day to prevent boredom and maintain health. These should be low-intensity exercises such as indoor games and short walks during the cooler times of the day to prevent overheating.
When walking this dog on a leash, use a harness instead of a collar to prevent hurting their necks.
Replenish the dog with food after exercise to maintain glucose levels and water to help dispel heat from the body.
| Minutes | 20 minutes |
| Number of walks | 2 (10 minutes each) |
Training
House and obedience training will be of utmost importance with this dog. This will go a long way in keeping the dog well mannered as you would with their larger counterparts.
Though he is intelligent, this dog is not the easiest to train as he can be stubborn and may be unwilling to socialize. Reward good behaviors for positive reinforcement and manage any undesirable ones to prevent them down the road. Entertaining bad behaviors in this pocket-sized dog will reinforce them.
Training will require consistency and patience as this dog is not the smartest in the block.
Health concerns
Anyone considering a Teacup French Bulldog as a pet should factor in potential health concerns, the hefty medical expenses, and the pain and frustrations associated with owning a sick pet.
Every breed is prone to certain diseases and health complications but the issues for a Teacup French Bulldog can be long and severe.
Hypoglycemia
This is an extreme drop in blood sugar content. Some signs of hypoglycemia include shivering, tremors, lack of coordination, unresponsiveness, strange behavior, lack of appetite, lethargy, seizures, weakness, and death if not well-monitored.
If you notice any of these signs, apply some honey or Karo syrup to the dog’s teeth for the sugars for absorption through mouth tissues. If the dog is weak or unresponsive, apply the syrup carefully to prevent him from choking before immediately visiting a vet.
You can manage this condition by feeding the dog every 3-5 hours.
Hypothermia
This is where the dog becomes extremely cold due to its tiny size and low amounts of fat insulation. Signs include pale gums, shivering, unresponsiveness, and decreased appetite.
If your Mini Frenchie is hypothermic, use your body to slowly raise the dog’s temperature or gently rub his body to generate heat. The body temperature should be maintained at 100° to 102° Fahrenheit (~37° celsius).
Injuries
This pooch is prone to injuries from rough handling, jumping, or being dropped from high places. They are also likely to be stepped on as they have a tendency to go underfoot. This makes this dog unsuitable for a home with children or larger dogs.
Other risks associated with this dog include breathing problems, digestive issues, and teeth problems such as missing teeth.
Despite this, with proper care, the Toy French Bulldog can have a lifespan of 10 to 14 years and can live as long as their regular-sized counterparts.
To Wrap up
This dog may not be your cup of tea for the reasons provided above.
However, if you are intent on getting this dog, it’s imperative that you do your due diligence for a healthy pup or perhaps consider a healthier dog breed such as the Maltese or Yorkie Terrier.
Be sure you can handle the expenses associated with this dog. The teacup Frenchie is a huge commitment just like a baby. If your lifestyle is busy, you should stay away from this dog.
Remember by seeking a pocket-sized Frenchie, you unwittingly encourage shady breeding practices.
Where do you stand on the Toy Frenchie topic? Share your thoughts and comments in the comment section below.
There you go, WOOF!
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