Chances are that you want to adopt a Teacup Pomeranians since they are the cutest dogs around. But have you wondered how much does a Teacup Pomeranian cost. Before we get into the cost of owning a Teacup Pomeranian, let me tell you a story.
It was 1888. Spring had just begun, and the weather was getting warmer. Flowers were on the cusp of blooming, and a royal visit was on the way.
One evening, Queen Victoria was exploring the beauty of Florence, Italy, and that is when she fell in love. An auburn-haired, stunning male swept her off her feet.
No man could take the place of her dearest Albert, but this male was of a different kind. The big intelligent eyes and cute little nose of a Volpino Italiano dog are what stole her heart.
It was love at first sight. This bundle of joy reminded her of Queen Charlotte’s dog, but it was a bit different. This dog was smaller and came from an ordinary Spitz breed. What was so fascinating about this furball?
It was so small in size that you could fit in a teacup. Today, we call them Teacup Pomeranians, and this is how this dog breed became so popular.
The name Pomerania has its origins in Slavic. The words po more stands for Land by the Sea. One could say that this dog breed was named after the hilly parts and lakes that form the Pomeranian Lake District.
Queen Victoria’s love for Pomeranians was so great that at one point, the Royal household had 35 of these small dogs in the kennels.
Furthermore, two of her most prized dogs even won prizes at dog show competitions. Her Pomeranian dogs set the stage of Crufts, which is currently the world’s largest dog show.
How Much to Pay for a Teacup Pomeranian?
Did you know that there have been songs written about Pomeranians? It’s silly little verses sung by college kids, but they do pack a punch. But that’s for later in case you are interested, and you can listen to the song below.
Let’s get back to this teacup-sized cuteness — how much does a Teacup Pomeranian cost?
Anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000. In rare cases, breeders raise the price as high as $50,000!
Yes, you read that right. This price depends on two factors— the size and the color of the dog. The smaller the size, the higher the price, and that is how this breed is marketed and sold.
Before we go into detail about the price of this dog breed, let’s get familiar with it first.
What Makes Teacup Pomeranian Dog Breed So Special?
A small pink tongue is hanging out, hair sticking out from everywhere, cute yipping sounds, and a fiercely loyal nature — all these things describe a Teacup Pomeranian to a T.
We already know that this dog breed is quite possibly the cutest on the planet, but what makes them so unique?
Often, people assume that Teacup Pomeranians come from a distinct dog breed. News flash — they are simply Pomeranians. The change in size is merely years of breeding to produce offspring, which are much smaller in size hence the moniker “Teacup.”
If you recall the price, its justification is in the process known as selective breeding. In this process, breeders select female and male Pomeranians that are quite small in size so that the offspring produced are in minuscule proportions.
Pomeranians come from a dog breed called the Wolfspitz. Originating from Iceland’s northern region, they are named after a province. In Poland’s Northern part, Wolfspitzs were seen for the first time, and then they gradually evolved into Pomeranians.
In the 17th century, this dog breed was introduced to the world, but they indeed became well known after a few were spotted with Queen Victoria.
Pomeranians are originally called the “toy breed” and are classified as smaller breeds of dogs along with Malteses and Chihuahuas. A few other names used for Teacup Pomeranians include:
- Toy Pom
- Pom
- Pompom
- Mini Pomeranians
- Dwarf Spitz
- Pocket Pomeranian
- Teddy Bear Pomeranian
As we mentioned earlier, the prize of Teacup Pomeranians can be astronomically high. Along with size and color, two other factors that sometimes impact the price are the reputation of the breeder and the location.
Yes, the size impacts the price directly, but since this dog breed is so small, buyers look for trusted breeders who produce these minuscule dogs in a safe and healthy environment. A few breeders breakdown the size of Pomeranians into classes so that buyers can better understand the reason behind the price range.
Following is a Pomeranian size scale chart that will give you an idea about how small these dogs are:
- Traditional Toy Pomeranian 6 lbs or more
- Tiny Toy Pomeranian 4.5 to 6.5 lbs
- Teacup Pomeranian 4 to 5 lbs
- Tiny Teacup Pomeranian 3.5 to 4 lbs
- Micro Tiny Teacup Pomeranian 1 to 3 lbs
Be sure to check the weight of your Pomeranian before buying one.
White Teacup Pomeranians are very rare. They are considered “the unicorn” of the breed as, in most cases, the offspring doesn’t come out as white. There might be a few shades of ivory and yellow in it, which slightly reduces this dog’s price.
Expect to pay more than $5,000 for white Pomeranians because they are elusive. Moving on to black Pomeranians, these are also hard to find. Lastly, if you are looking for something unique such as a Pomeranian with a merle coat, then get ready to pay a high premium.
So how does the reputation of the breeder factor into the price?
Well, imagine this — you went to a local pet shop and saw this cute Teacup Pomeranian. He’s a perfect size and has the silkiest coat. The shop owner sees you eyeing the Pomeranian and quotes you a price that seems high at first, but hey, that’s one adorable dog!
You take the shaking bundle of joy to your house, only to find out in a few months that your Teacup Pomeranian is not a purebred Teacup Pomeranian. The dog grew, which meant that you were scammed into buying a traditional Pomeranian.
And, that, my friends, is the reason why you should buy a Teacup Pomeranian from a reputable breeder. Now we are not saying that you should buy one from a breeder, who is the go-to guy for celebrities, but someone who has a massive operation and a well-maintained facility. This way, you will be sure that you are buying a purebred Teacup Pomeranian.
What Are Some Interesting Facts About Teacup Pomeranians?
Now that you know how the size, color, markings, and reputation of a breeder impact the price of a Teacup Pomeranians, let’s have a look at a few facts about this dog breed:
A Teacup Pomeranian resembles a stuffed toy, which is what makes it so likable. No two Pomeranians are alike, and most of them have some characteristics that are similar to their more significant relatives.
How much does a Teacup Pomeranian cost also depends on its appearance. They have thick, long fur and are extra fluffy. Some of the standard colors that you can find Pomeranians in include:
- White
- Black
- Red
- Brown
- Sable
- Cream
- Brindle
- Orange
- Tan
- Grey
- Merle
- Lavender (considered the most exotic of them all)
Their fur grows at a fast rate, and therefore, their upkeep is quite expensive. One feature that sets them apart from other tiny dogs is their dark, bright-colored eyes.
As mentioned earlier, a purebred Teacup Pomeranian weighs between 4 and 5 lbs. The breed’s name itself is an indication of how small it is. So yes, it is true that this tiny dog can sit in the palm of your hands and fit in a teacup.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), a dog that weighs less than 7lbs is a true Teacup Pomeranian. Of course, the weight can vary due to the health of the dog, which brings us to our third fact.
The size and weight of the dog are of great concern when it comes to taking care of Teacup Pomeranians. They can be hurt quite quickly and are vulnerable to injuries from rough play. Standard sized Pomeranians are a healthy breed but reduce their size, and you are looking at a couple of problems, which are as follows:
A. Gum and Teeth Disease
Since they are so tiny, maintaining dental hygiene is quite tricky, which is why, over time, they develop gum and teeth diseases.
B. Obesity
Owners of Teacup Pomeranians can’t help themselves from picking up their dogs and carrying them everywhere. Just because they are small doesn’t mean that they can take part in any strenuous activities. Teacup Pomeranians are quite active. They are always ready to play. Teacup Pomeranians that are always kept indoors will eventually face obesity.
C. Entropion
This is an inherited eye condition in which the dog’s eyelids fold inwards and cause constant irritation. This problem can only be fixed with surgery, and if left untreated, it can lead to blindness.
D. Black Skin or Severe Hair Loss
You already know how fluffy and thick a Pomeranian’s fur coat is. It requires extra care, and if they are not washed or fed correctly, they experience hair loss, especially male Pomeranians.
E. Hypoglycemia
They might be tiny, but they need to be fed around the clock, or else their blood sugar level might go down.
A proper diet can address obesity, and hypoglycemia and chew toys will keep their teeth clean, but Teacup Pomeranians cannot escape a few problems.
Again, due to their size, you are looking at organ failure in the long run. Untreated disease can weaken their immune system, and the recovery process is quite slow.
The typical lifespan of a dog is 10 to 13 years. However, standard Pomeranians have a lifespan of 12 to 16 years. As mentioned above, Teacup Pomeranians are more vulnerable to diseases, which reduce their lifespan by several years.
Their lifespan depends on their parents. If the parents were too small, then the resulting offspring will have numerous health problems, the moment it is born. The only way to make sure that they live a long and healthy life is by keeping an eye on their diet.
Aww, aren’t they cute? I just want to squeeze them and kiss them and play with them all day long.
Beware! Teacup Pomeranians might seem all cute and adorable, but they are no pushovers. They are quite feisty and full of attitude. They are attentive and perky, two characteristics that most owners love about them. You will be glad to hear that they are exceptionally loyal and affectionate towards their owners.
They are always on guard and make their displeasure known by barking non-stop at strangers and intruders. At times, it might get a little embarrassing, but if they are trained by a professional, you will find out that they will obey you on your first command.
It’s essential to start their training the moment you get them, or they will become quite jealous and territorial. Since they are so protective of their owners, they don’t get well with children and pets.
Teacup Pomeranians don’t have high energy levels, but they love to play. Due to their potential health problems, it is vital to have an exercise regime in place to keep them active. Make sure the activities don’t involve a lot of jumping or playing fetch that might injure them.
Despite their weak immune system and vulnerability to injuries, here’s the good news — Teacup Pomeranians are quite intelligent. They respond well to training and learn tricks quickly. Since they are so rambunctious, you should lead with positive reinforcement so that they know what is acceptable and what is not from the get-go.
One misconception that most people have is that Teacup Pomeranians are naughty. This only falls true for those dogs whose owners don’t work hard on their training. Their cute face can often sidetrack you, and that’s how chaos reigns in this breed.
Just like us human beings, Teacup Pomeranians are vulnerable to traumas. If they are dropped from a height while playing, they might turn vicious during future playtime. Trauma in these dogs can often lead to gastrointestinal problems.
It just so happens that sometimes your Teacup Pomeranian will refuse to sleep. Whether it is hyper after playtime or eating, a great way to put it to sleep is through music. The music needs to be soothing and soft so that it doesn’t add to their hyper activeness. Here’s a track specifically for Pomeranians that you can try out.
You see an ad online that says the person has a litter of Teacup Pomeranians. You get all excited and dial the owner immediately.
Hold up! What you should be doing is thinking whether these are purebred Teacup Pomeranians or not. As we mentioned, how much does a Teacup Pomeranian cost depends on several things, and one of them is a professional breeder.
Backyard breeders are just experimenting, and until your dog reaches maturity, you will never know whether it is a Teacup Pomeranian or a standard Pomeranian.
Should You Buy a Teacup Pomeranian?
Now that we discussed in detail how much does a Teacup Pomeranian cost, let us help you decide whether a Teacup Pomeranian is right dog breed for you.
Finding it hard to make a decision? Let’s take all the information written above and compile it to make a chart.
Characteristics
Teacup Pomeranian
Color
White, black, brown, etc. Each color Pomeranian has a different price tag. White-colored is the priciest.
Coat
Double coat. Need to be maintained, or lack of proper hygiene might result in hair loss.
Height
11 inches
Weight
Under 5 pounds
Life Expectancy
Less than 12 years (standard Pomeranian life span is from 12 to 16 years)
Personality
Loyal, affectionate and feisty (the last one can be a bit of a problem if the dog is not trained properly)
Activity Level
Moderate
Suitable For Children
No
If you are looking for a lap dog that does not require much maintenance and you don’t have kids in your house, then a Teacup Pomeranian is perfect for you.
So, in short, how much does a Teacup Pomeranian cost? You need to first think about what size of dog you are looking for. Have a look at the size scale chart and then go through the health fact. Since Teacup Pomeranians are fast learners, you will have less trouble in helping your dog adjust to your house.
However, you need to be very careful with how you treat the dog. A little rough play can do damage to your precious furball, but that doesn’t mean you treat it with puppy gloves. Keep up with the positive reinforcement and exercise, and your bundle of joy will live to its fullest.
