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The Truth About Miniature, Toy & Teacup Maltese Dogs
Overview
The terms Miniature Maltese, Toy Maltese and Teacup Maltese refer to a Maltese dog that is smaller than the Maltese breed standard.
Are there Mini Maltese dogs? There is no real dog breed as the Miniature, Toy or Teacup Maltese dog. There is only the Maltese. Period.
A breeder may use these terms simply to attract attention to their dogs or they may breed un-naturally tiny dogs via unethical methods; producing dogs severe health issues. How can you know the difference?
Were you told that you have a Miniature Maltese? Are you thinking of buying a Teacup Maltese? Are you searching for breeders of Toy Maltese dogs? Let's talk about the truth of these terms.
The terms Miniature Maltese, Toy Maltese and Teacup Maltese refer to a Maltese dog that is smaller than the Maltese breed standard.
Are there Mini Maltese dogs? There is no real dog breed as the Miniature, Toy or Teacup Maltese dog. There is only the Maltese. Period.
A breeder may use these terms simply to attract attention to their dogs or they may breed un-naturally tiny dogs via unethical methods; producing dogs severe health issues. How can you know the difference?
Were you told that you have a Miniature Maltese? Are you thinking of buying a Teacup Maltese? Are you searching for breeders of Toy Maltese dogs? Let's talk about the truth of these terms.
Beware of advertisements showing a Maltese dog inside of a teacup; these dogs are most likely unethically bred and prone to serious health problems.
Why do breeders sell mini Maltese dogs if the breed does not exist?
There are 2 reasons how and why this happens:
1. A Maltese breeder, in an effort to please the millions of people who think that these breeds actually exist, will sell healthy and normal Maltese puppies (who are naturally small to begin with) and simply call them Miniature, Teacup or Toy Maltese dogs. This is fine, as long as that breeder is simply using the word and not selling anything except a "real" Maltese dog.
2. Some, highly unethical dog breeders will go to great lengths to breed dog that are un-naturally tiny, so tiny that they have many health problems facing them, if they even live past the first few years. The Maltese dog is a very small dog breed, only 4 to 7 pounds (1.81 - 3.18 kg). However to please the millions of people who believe that "smaller is better", some breeders will set out to force dogs into being smaller than nature intended.
How Does a Breeder Force a Maltese to be Tiny?
This can be done several ways. All which are extremely dangerous to the mother, the puppies or both:
1. Pregnant Maltese dogs are forced into early labor; thus giving birth to premature puppies. These puppies are then dubbed "Miniature Maltese" dogs.
2. Maltese puppies are practically starved; only given just enough food to stay alive. This stops them from growing as they should. These puppies are then called "Teacup Maltese" dogs, sometimes photographed inside teacups and sold as special dogs, "worth" thousands of dollars. When, in fact, unaware owners are buying extremely ill puppies whose growth has already been stunted.
3. The third way that an unethical dog breeder sells tiny, tiny dogs is to lie about their age on their documentation.
4. A dog breeder may purposefully take 2 runt dogs and breed them together, hoping that the puppies will be smaller than normal. This only continues a bloodline of unwanted and unhealthy dog genes.
How to Know if a Dog is a True Maltese or an Unethically Bred Mini?
In most areas, puppies must be at least 8 weeks old before they are taken from mom and sold. If an 8 week old Maltese is less than 1.5 pounds (.68 kg), do not purchase the dog. Yes, this dog may be the "runt" of the liter, but more than likely he or she is smaller than nature intended. If you are still hesitant, look at the entire liter. Are all of the 8 week old puppies less than this weight? If so, do not buy from that breeder.
An undernourished puppy may also show signs of :
What to Do if You Already Purchased a Mini Maltese
If you already have a dog who is far under the normal weight for a Maltese dog, you must be extra careful with its care. Your dog's veterinarian is most likely aware of the situation. What can you expect regarding the care of a Teacup Maltese?
These dogs will need more regular checkups. These dogs will also be prone to breaking bones much easier than a standard Maltese. It is recommended to add dog steps or a dog ramp to furniture, such as the couch, chairs and bed if your dog is used to laying on these. Teach your dog to use the steps or ramp and do not allow them to jump down. Everyone in the home should be extra careful to look where they are walking; one accident of tripping over the dog can be devastating. Bone density will be very weak. Regular checkups will help both you and your dog's vet keep an eye out for lung problems, heart problems, organ failure issues and more.
To Summarize
It is perfectly alright to purchase a dog that is called a Miniature Maltese, Toy Maltese, Teacup Maltese or other. If: the dog is the correct weight for its age, shows signs of good health and other puppies in liters also appear to be of the correct weight. This is a sign that the breeder is simply using the terms, to please customers and not actually breeding un-natural dogs.
Even More Advice
Owning a Maltese = giving daily, loving care. Owning a "smaller than average" Maltese = giving even more important care. This section is an overview, as a caring Malt owner needs a huge amount of information to properly care for their Maltese & make them happy. We have created a PetMaltese e-book for you, in order to bring to you 344 pages of much needed information. To see what is inside the PetMaltse Book, Click Here.
There are 2 reasons how and why this happens:
1. A Maltese breeder, in an effort to please the millions of people who think that these breeds actually exist, will sell healthy and normal Maltese puppies (who are naturally small to begin with) and simply call them Miniature, Teacup or Toy Maltese dogs. This is fine, as long as that breeder is simply using the word and not selling anything except a "real" Maltese dog.
2. Some, highly unethical dog breeders will go to great lengths to breed dog that are un-naturally tiny, so tiny that they have many health problems facing them, if they even live past the first few years. The Maltese dog is a very small dog breed, only 4 to 7 pounds (1.81 - 3.18 kg). However to please the millions of people who believe that "smaller is better", some breeders will set out to force dogs into being smaller than nature intended.
How Does a Breeder Force a Maltese to be Tiny?
This can be done several ways. All which are extremely dangerous to the mother, the puppies or both:
1. Pregnant Maltese dogs are forced into early labor; thus giving birth to premature puppies. These puppies are then dubbed "Miniature Maltese" dogs.
2. Maltese puppies are practically starved; only given just enough food to stay alive. This stops them from growing as they should. These puppies are then called "Teacup Maltese" dogs, sometimes photographed inside teacups and sold as special dogs, "worth" thousands of dollars. When, in fact, unaware owners are buying extremely ill puppies whose growth has already been stunted.
3. The third way that an unethical dog breeder sells tiny, tiny dogs is to lie about their age on their documentation.
4. A dog breeder may purposefully take 2 runt dogs and breed them together, hoping that the puppies will be smaller than normal. This only continues a bloodline of unwanted and unhealthy dog genes.
How to Know if a Dog is a True Maltese or an Unethically Bred Mini?
In most areas, puppies must be at least 8 weeks old before they are taken from mom and sold. If an 8 week old Maltese is less than 1.5 pounds (.68 kg), do not purchase the dog. Yes, this dog may be the "runt" of the liter, but more than likely he or she is smaller than nature intended. If you are still hesitant, look at the entire liter. Are all of the 8 week old puppies less than this weight? If so, do not buy from that breeder.
An undernourished puppy may also show signs of :
- Shallow breathing
- Dull eyes or excessive watery discharge
- Weakness
What to Do if You Already Purchased a Mini Maltese
If you already have a dog who is far under the normal weight for a Maltese dog, you must be extra careful with its care. Your dog's veterinarian is most likely aware of the situation. What can you expect regarding the care of a Teacup Maltese?
These dogs will need more regular checkups. These dogs will also be prone to breaking bones much easier than a standard Maltese. It is recommended to add dog steps or a dog ramp to furniture, such as the couch, chairs and bed if your dog is used to laying on these. Teach your dog to use the steps or ramp and do not allow them to jump down. Everyone in the home should be extra careful to look where they are walking; one accident of tripping over the dog can be devastating. Bone density will be very weak. Regular checkups will help both you and your dog's vet keep an eye out for lung problems, heart problems, organ failure issues and more.
To Summarize
It is perfectly alright to purchase a dog that is called a Miniature Maltese, Toy Maltese, Teacup Maltese or other. If: the dog is the correct weight for its age, shows signs of good health and other puppies in liters also appear to be of the correct weight. This is a sign that the breeder is simply using the terms, to please customers and not actually breeding un-natural dogs.
Even More Advice
Owning a Maltese = giving daily, loving care. Owning a "smaller than average" Maltese = giving even more important care. This section is an overview, as a caring Malt owner needs a huge amount of information to properly care for their Maltese & make them happy. We have created a PetMaltese e-book for you, in order to bring to you 344 pages of much needed information. To see what is inside the PetMaltse Book, Click Here.
