How to Adopt a Teacup Poodle

How to Adopt a Teacup Poodle

Teacup Poodle

Breed Stats

Weight:
6 lbs or less
Height:
9 inches or less
Coat Type:
Thick, short, and curly
Grooming Needs:
Shedding:
Temperament:
Thick, short, and curly
Good With Kids:
Good With Other Animals:
Intelligence:
Easy To Train:
Energy Level:
Barking Habits:
Lifespan:
12 to 14 years

Adopting a Teacup Poodle: An Overview

Teacup poodles aren’t recognized by the American Kennel Club or the Poodle Club of America, but they are the most undersized poodles you can adopt. They stand no taller than nine inches and weigh less than six pounds. Next to Chihuahuas, they are among the smallest dog breeds.

Despite this tiny frame, teacup poodles are just as energetic and playful as any other poodle. They can make a wonderful addition to your life with their affectionate personalities. The hypoallergenic coat and the small size make them great for allergy sufferers and those living in small apartments.

If you plan on adopting a dog, note that finding a teacup poodle up for adoption can be a challenge. Small dog breeds like this one have a high demand. Even before a teacup poodle ends up in a shelter, they might already be adopted.

adopted teacup poodle walking on grass with people in the background

However, it doesn’t mean you will never be able to adopt a teacup poodle. Many rescue organizations and shelters have a waitlist. Contacting the shelters and rescues in your area and signing up for their waitlist will increase your chances of finding one.

Additionally, you can post on dog adoption groups or participate in events to find a teacup poodle up for adoption. Many want to adopt these small dogs, but your chances of getting approval will increase if you’re an experienced dog owner. So, get your references ready to adopt a teacup poodle.

The adoption fees for adopting a teacup poodle vary depending on where you’re adopting from, but typically, it should be around $300. The dog’s age and condition may also impact the cost of adopting and bringing home a teacup poodle.

For even more information on Teacup Poodles

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Teacup Poodles For Adoption

How to Care for an Adopted Teacup Poodle?

Teacup poodles are small dogs that require dog-proofing your home. The world around them is much bigger than how we experience it. Anything that can fall over them can seriously injure a teacup poodle.

Here are a few things we recommend doing to dog-proof your home so your teacup poodle’s environment is safe and sound.

  • Lock away all the chemicals, such as cleaning supplies and detergent.
  • Keep toxic foods, such as onions, grapes, avocados, etc., away from a small dog’s reach.
  • Place electronics cables out of sight – extremely important if adopting a teacup poodle puppy.
  • Cover HVAC vents.

Additionally, consider installing a pet gate to ensure your teacup poodle stays in a safe area. This can also help the dog warm up to the house, as transitioning from a kennel to a large home can feel overwhelming.

teacup poodle with their tongue out standing on tile floor

Once you get everything ready, dog parenting will begin. Teacup poodles may be small, but they are energetic dogs that require daily walks to stay healthy. They should be walked for at least 15 to 20 minutes twice.

If you’re adopting a teacup poodle puppy, take them out for frequent potty breaks. Housebreaking a teacup poodle can take time due to their small bladders. Accidents are bound to happen, whether small or big. Never punish your dog for such instances, and simply clean up.

The small size of the teacup poodle may seem like a disadvantage for potty training at first, but the breed’s intelligence makes this phase easy to go through. Teacup poodles are very trainable and have an inherent desire to please their owners.

adopted teacup poodle being groomed with scissors

Training, Grooming, and Feeding Your Teacup Poodle

While intelligence is a highly favored trait in dogs, it can also work against you if you can’t provide them with enough exercise and mental stimulation. Teacup poodles will try to outsmart you if they are bored or display destructive behavior to release excess energy.

Training is an excellent exercise to prevent these and provides the crucial mental stimulation dogs need. Giving them a task at home, such as finding treats, playing hide and seek, and dog puzzles, will satisfy their curiosity and keep them happy.

Aside from training, exercise, and mental stimulation, teacup poodles need regular brushing to keep their curly coats free from mats. They also need haircuts every six to eight weeks to tidy up their appearance.

As part of the grooming routine, you’ll also need to clean a teacup poodle’s ears to prevent excess wax build-up. Depending on their lifestyle and how often their ears get dirty, this must be done once every other week – more often if swimming regularly.

While these may seem demanding, the cost of feeding a teacup poodle will be much less than a bigger dog. They only need a quarter to half a cup of dog food a day. When you take your teacup poodle to the veterinarian for checkups, ask for food recommendations.

You can also opt for a homemade diet, but get your veterinarian’s approval first. Your veterinarian should point you in the right direction for the most appropriate dog food for your dog’s age, weight, and activity levels.

With all the exercise, grooming, and other care needs of a teacup poodle, you can consider this breed high maintenance. They require an attentive owner to live a fulfilling life.

Is It a Good Idea to Adopt a Teacup Poodle As Your First Dog?

As someone who’s never had a dog, the care needs of a teacup poodle may be intimidating. This dog breed doesn’t take being left alone lightly and demands an involved owner. If you live a busy life, it may be challenging to adapt to the care needs of a teacup poodle.

On the flip side, the intelligence, eagerness to please, and the small size of the teacup poodle make dog parenting easy for first-time owners. That said, whether a teacup poodle makes a good first-time dog depends on your availability. These dogs thrive in a loving family that takes care of their needs and gives them the love and attention they deserve.

If you’re up for these, you will soon realize adopting a teacup poodle is one of the best decisions you’ve ever made. This feeling will intensify if the teacup poodle comes from a harsh background.

adopted teacup poodle running outside in a playground with a rubber chicken

Also, consider other people and pets when figuring out if a teacup poodle is a good breed choice for your life circumstances. Teacup poodles typically don’t do well in crowded families. Considering their small size, noisy children may also intimidate a teacup poodle.

Regardless of their size, children in the family should learn how to interact with dogs. Although teacup poodles aren’t aggressive or prone to snapping at children, they may get agitated if kids don’t respect their space and environment. This can go as far as hurting their trust in humans.

If you have other small pets, such as cats, Guinea pigs, or rabbits, a teacup poodle will adapt well if they’re properly socialized. If you’re adopting an older teacup poodle, it may take more work for them to get used to the presence of other animals.

All in all, the teacup poodle is an excellent breed choice for first-time dog parents. As long as they get enough exercise and mental stimulation, the easygoing and affectionate personality will make a loving addition to your life.

adopted teacup poodle walking on grass with people in the background

Adopt the Right F1B Goldendoodle for You

While some things don’t change about goldendoodles, such as their temperament, exercise and grooming needs, and adorable looks, they come in different sizes. Depending on the size of the poodle parent and the grandparent, they can be as little as 15 pounds or as big as 90 pounds.

Adopting the right F1B goldendoodle should start with setting a size preference. Once you know the size of the goldendoodle you want to adopt, you will have an easier time finding the right F1B goldendoodle for you.

When you meet the dog you want to adopt, spend time and see how you two get along. If possible, go for a walk with the F1B goldendoodle you want to adopt and play games of fetch or tug. Spending time together will allow you to learn more about the dog’s personality and see if you are a good match.

Doing this is a crucial part of the adoption process. It will help you determine if the dog is right for you, ultimately leading to adopting the right F1B goldendoodle.

After spending some time, it isn’t uncommon to feel tempted to bring a dog from a shelter on the same day, but make sure to take your time as well. The last thing any dog needs is to be taken to a home only to be returned after a while. It can be a devastating experience that may make them lose their trust in humans.

Adopting a dog, especially for the first time, is a major life event. Days where you feel lost and don’t know what to do are bound to come. Check our top-rated online courses to learn more about dog behavior and training.


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