Breed Info

Teacup Maltese

• Origin: An ancient toy breed from the Mediterranean island of Malta, kept as companions for thousands of years.
• Adult size: About 2–4 lb and 6–8 inches tall when fully grown (a standard Maltese is 4–7 lb). At 10 weeks most weigh under 1.5 lb.
• Coat: Long, silky, pure white single coat with no undercoat. Very low shedding.
• Temperament: Gentle, playful, affectionate and alert — a devoted lap dog.
• Good with: Adults, seniors and families with older, gentle children.
• Grooming: Brush every 2–3 days, bathe every 2–3 weeks, and wipe the eyes daily to prevent tear stains.
• Lifespan: 12–16 years.

Teacup Poodle

• Origin: The smallest size of the poodle, bred down from the toy poodle; poodles originated in Germany and France.
• Adult size: About 2–4 lb and under 9 inches tall when fully grown (smaller than a 4–6 lb toy poodle). At 10 weeks most weigh under 1.5 lb. AKC registers them as Toy Poodles.
• Coat: Dense, curly, low-shedding coat. Colors include black, apricot, cream, red and caramel.
• Temperament: Highly intelligent, eager to please, cheerful and quick to learn tricks.
• Good with: Apartments, first-time owners and people with mild dog allergies.
• Grooming: Brush several times a week and book a professional trim every 4–6 weeks.
• Lifespan: 12–15 years.

Feeding

Tiny puppies need small meals 3–4 times a day of a quality small-breed puppy food. Never let a teacup puppy skip meals — low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is the biggest risk for toy breeds. Keep a little honey or Nutri-Cal on hand and call your vet if your puppy seems weak or sleepy.

Health care

• Keep up with the vaccine and deworming schedule your vet recommends.
• Brush teeth regularly — small breeds are prone to dental issues.
• Use a harness rather than a collar to protect the delicate trachea.
• Watch for jumping from furniture; small bones and knees (patellas) are fragile.

Training & home life

Both breeds respond best to gentle, positive training with treats and praise. Start potty training early with puppy pads or a small indoor area, and socialize your puppy with new people, sounds and places. Keep them warm — teacup puppies feel the cold quickly.

What to have ready

• Small-breed puppy food and shallow bowls
• A soft bed, small crate or playpen
• A lightweight harness and leash
• Puppy pads, gentle shampoo, a comb and soft brush
• Safe chew toys sized for tiny mouths