Teacup Pekingese is a miniature dog, also known as “Sleeve Pekingese” or “Mini Pekingese.” Teacup Pekingese are teacup dogs that are so tiny that they fit inside a teacup. Teacup Pekingese is flat-faced, and it has its origin in China. It is said that the members of the imperial family used to carry the Pekingese dogs in their sleeves, hence the name Sleeve Pekingese. It is to be noted that the Teacup Pekingese is not a separate breed from the Standard Pekingese dog breed. Teacup Pekingese are bred for their miniature size, that also has health hazards. Breeding smaller Pekingese is an Italian tradition later inherited by the Chinese royals. Their size was made smaller by practicing methods that stunt their growth. Some methods include holding the puppy tightly for hours and putting the puppies in tight-fitting wire mesh waistcoats. However, the most popular method of creating Teacup Pekingese now is breeding runts and introducing dwarfism. A “Runt” is a puppy that is weaker than its littermates. Given everything, Teacup Pekingese are loved for their size and cuteness, and the most desired coat is white and cream.
Teacup Pekingese Pros And Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Great with children | Difficult to housebreak |
| Great family companions | Prone to many health issues |
| Adaptable in nature | High maintenance |
| Loving and affectionate | Suffers separation anxiety |
Teacup Pekingese Basic Information
- Name: Teacup Pekingese
- Height: 4-6 inches
- Weight: 3-6 pounds
- Size: Miniature
- Coat: Double – coated
- Color: Black, cream, white, red, blue and tan, fawn sable, fawn, red sable
- Group: Companion dogs
- Activities: Companion dogs, family dogs, indoor dogs
- Barking Level: High
- Shedding Level: High
- Hypoallergenic: No
- Energy: Low
- Litter size: 2 – 4 puppies
- Life span: 12-15 years
- Other names: Sleeve Pekingese, Mini Pekingese, Teacup Pekingese, Mini Pelichie
Standard Pekingese Vs. Teacup Pekingese
| Features | Standard Pekingese | Teacup Pekingese |
| Image |  |  |
| Origin | Ancient China | Ancient China |
| Height | 7-8 inches | 4-6 inches |
| Weight | 7-12 pounds | 3-6 pounds |
| Size | Medium | Miniature |
| Group | Toy dogs | Companion dogs |
| Children compatibility | Medium | Low |
| Pet compatibility | Low | Low |
| Family compatibility | High | High |
| Barking level | High | High |
| Shedding level | High | Medium to high |
| Hypoallergenic | No | No |
| Grooming | High | High |
| Overall health | Medium | Low to medium |
| Energy | low | Low |
| Exercise needs | Medium | Medium |
| Trainability | Difficult | Easy to train |
| Activities | Lap Dogs, and Toy dogs | Family dogs, Companion dogs |
| Complication in breeding | Low | High |
| Litter size | 2-4 puppies | 2-4 puppies |
| Life span | 9-10 years | 12-15 years |
| Other names | Chinese spaniel, lion dogs, peke, Peking Lion Dog, Peking Palasthund, Pelchie dog | Sleeve Pekingese, Mini Pekingese, Teacup Pekingese, Mini Pelichie |
Teacup Pekingese Personality
The Teacup Pekingese is a typical royal dog and has a proud personality. Teacup Pekingese are aristocratic and dignified and demand complete attention. Anyone with these dogs should treat them with respect and love. This miniature Pekingese makes a great companion. They are great with seniors, singles, people living in apartments, and who look for couch potatoes to snuggle with. They are equally independent and stubborn by nature. They are wary of strangers and more comfortable with their owners. They bark a lot as they want to protect their owners from predators. This Teacup dog does not have aggressive tendencies, but they may bite and bark if they are frightened and stressed. Teacup Pekingese are 4-6 inches tall and weigh around 3-6 pounds. They are a size that fits in a teacup. Teacup Pekingese are bred specially for their miniature size despite the health hazards the litter may carry. Interestingly, these mini Pekingese are highly vocal and frequently talk by barking. Make sure that the neighbors are aware of this.
Teacup Pekingese are double-coated with a thick and soft undercoat and a long, coarse, straight, and hairy outercoat. The long coat hangs from the sides of the body as they protect from the harsh winters of China. Despite their heavy coat, Teacup Pekingese are house dogs and unsuitable outdoors. They have short noses that make them sensitive to heat and require an air-conditioned environment.
Teacup Pekingese are surprisingly sturdy and heavy despite their small size. They shed but not as much as the other double-coated dogs. They are not hypo-allergenic; one should check for allergies before owning a Teacup Pekingese. They have big brown eyes and a shortened skull that gives a flat face. The ears are heart-shaped and lie against their heads. They are long-bodied, toy-sized dogs with curved limbs.
The various coat colors in the Teacup Pekingese breed add to their forever cuteness. They come in several colors: black, cream, white, red, blue, tan, fawn sable, and red sable. They also bear black muzzles, black muzzles with white markings, black faces with white markings, a black mask, or a black mask with white markings. This compact toy dog resembles small lions and is called the “Lion Dog.” Teacup Pekingese are known for their shortened muzzle, v-shaped nose, ears, limbs, and tails and have a lot of fringe hair. Many factors add to the adorable personality of Teacup Pekingese.
Friendliness Overview
| Affection level | Medium to high |
| Family-friendly | Medium to high |
| Kid-friendly | Low to medium |
| Dog-friendly | Low |
| Stranger-friendly | Low |
Adaptability Overview
| Good for apartment living | High |
| Good for new owners | Low to medium |
| Sensitivity level | Medium to high |
| Tolerates being alone | Low |
| Cold tolerance | High |
| Heat tolerance | Low |
Teacup Pekingese Temperament
Teacup Pekingese are very adaptable and a great pet. They are great companions and family dogs. They are highly affectionate towards their family. Teacup Pekingese are fragile by nature and are not great with kids as they cannot handle rough plays and get frightened and stressed. For this reason, these mini teacup dogs are suitable only for older children, teens, and adults. Teacup Pekingese adores their owners and are known to be very loyal. This mini pooch requires additional attention, affection, and cuddles. They love to be pampered and loved a lot. Hence, always be ready to cuddle your tiny little dogs whenever required. They are wary of strangers and bond strongly with strangers. Therefore, it is needed to socialize your Teacup Pekingese with as many people as possible.
The Royals of ancient China bred them, and one can notice Teacup Pekingese’s royal and dignified personality. They are prevalent for their mane. These dogs are very affectionate and intelligent and are also called Chinese lap dogs. Besides being cute and loving, Teacup Pekingese are very stubborn, independent, and confident, which has helped them to survive times like opium wars and the Titanic. Teacup Pekingese are remarkable in their way and make an excellent addition to your family. They are perfect for apartment living and suffer separation anxiety when left alone. There is no better dog than a Teacup Pekingese to love, adore, and cuddle together, even be it all day.
Teacup Pekingese Training
Teacup Pekingese are independent and stubborn, making training difficult. They won’t respond to harsh training methods. Never scream or be rude to these mini Pekingese while training them. Patience, consistency, and effort are required while training a Teacup Pekingese dog. It is better to have kids while teaching socialization to Teacup Pekingese. Instruct the kids to be gentle while handling a Teacup Pekingese. There are high chances for a Teacup Pekingese dog to get injured by rough handling by the kids. Socialization helps the dog be confident with strangers and learn how to act according to situations. Always include lots of praise and treats while training to socialize. It might take six months to potty train a Teacup Pekingese before it learns to use the litter box. Start socializing with the dog at a young age. Lots of cuddles, treats, and praises are the best methods to make training more effortless, and it sure works wonders.
Trainability Overview
| Easy to train | Low to medium |
| Intelligence | High |
| Prey drive | High |
| Mouthiness tendencies | Medium |
| Barking and Howling tendencies | High |
| Wanderlust tendencies | Medium |
Teacup Pekingese Exercise Needs
Though a potato couch, Teacup Pekingese will need some daily exercise. Daily mental and physical stimulation is crucial for this dog’s well-being and health. A daily 10-minute walk and some playtime will keep the dog in good shape and active. Always use a harness instead of a dog collar as Teacup Pekingese dogs are fragile. A dog collar could lead to tracheal collapse. Teacup Pekingese being independent, can self-entertain with chew toys and balls.
Exercise Needs Overview
| Energy level | Low to medium |
| Exercise needs | Medium |
| Intensity | Low |
| Playfulness | Low |
Teacup Pekingese Grooming
Teacup Pekingese may be tiny but requires high maintenance regarding grooming. They require daily brushing. Teacup Pekingese shed yearly, and daily brushing prevents tangles and minimizes shedding by removing loose hair. The long coat needs to be trimmed once in several months whenever required. The pet parents must clean the face with dog-friendly wet wipes to remove the dirt between the folds. Grooming also helps bond and experience love between the dog and the owner. This allows your dog to be healthy and happy.
Grooming Overview
| Easy to groom | Low |
| Drooling tendencies | Low |
| Amount of shedding | High |
Teacup Pekingese Health
Teacup Pekingese are healthy dogs. Still, when not appropriately bred, they carry an array of health issues. Creating the miniature size is a health hazard for these Teacup Pekingese.
Health Overview
| General health | Low to medium |
| Weight gain tendencies | Medium to high |
| Size | Mini |
Dwarfism Gene: Introducing the dwarfism gene is one breeding method to create the toy size in dogs. Pekingese are already affected by a condition called chondrodysplasia. This genetic condition is the reason for short curved legs.
Several health conditions accompany their structure, such as
- Heart abnormalities,
- Enlarged joints
- Curved spine
- Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
- Tracheal collapse
Brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome: This condition results in varying degrees of upper respiratory problems. The skull of the Teacup Pekingese is tiny and does not have enough space. The small nostrils and long, soft palate cause respiratory issues.
Dental problems: They are prone to dental problems due to their smaller jaws.
Corneal ulcers: Teacup Pekingese are prone to severe eye conditions like Corneal ulcers due to their conformation.
Skin infections: Teacup Pekingese have excess folds in their skin, leading to skin infections. The wrinkles store moisture and are thus prone to bacteria, leading to skin fold dermatitis.
Degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD): This disease affects one-third of all dogs, but Teacup Pekingese are more prone to it. This is a congenital condition and is chronic and progressive heart failure. Heart failure is the leading cause of death in Teacup Pekingese. The initial sign is the heart murmur which eventually leads to heart failure.
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD): IVDD is a painful spinal cord disease that causes one or more discs to rupture. In serious cases, it might also lead to paralysis. Unfortunately, Teacup Pekingese are at high risk of developing IVDD due to chondrodysplasia’s skeletal disorder.
Ear troubles: The fluffy hair along the floppy ears cause trouble in Teacup Pekingese dog breeds. Though not severe, it may result in hearing loss if left unnoticed. The best way to avoid ear problems in Teacup Pekingese is to dry their ears.
Teacup Pekingese Diet and Nutrition
Teacup Pekingese needs a special diet formulated for the toy breed dogs and should be fed 30 calories for every pound he weighs. The diet will meet the dog’s daily calorie requirement. Kibbles should contain high protein and be low on fats and carbs. Also, be high quality with no fillers or additives. Teacup Pekingese should not be fed raw bones, meat, or wet food.
Teacup Pekingese Living Condition
Teacup Pekingese do not tolerate humid and hot weather. They can be happy in cold weather and should be kept in an air-conditioned environment. Teacup Pekingese are not outdoor dogs. They can live in apartments and are couch potatoes who love to snuggle with their pet parents all day. Teacup Pekingese are attention seekers and love to be petted with cuddles and get anxious when separated or left alone.
Adding a Teacup Pekingese to Your Family
Things to remember before adding a Teacup Pekingese to your family
- Teacup Pekingese suffer health problems, most of which are caused by structural defects.
- Teacup Pekingese are the result of mating two very small runts due to health problems.
- Teacup Pekingese are fragile and can be easily injured.
- Teacup Pekingese require high maintenance.
- A shortened muzzles cause snoring
- Teacup Pekingese need major dog breed registries that do not recognize consistent attention, love, treats, and cuddles.
- Always buy a puppy from ethical breeders and cross-check the health conditions of the parent dogs.
Cost of a Teacup Cup Pekingese Puppy
A Teacup Pekingese puppy will cost between $700 and $1500.
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