Teacup dogs tend to have similar personalities to their average-sized counterparts but may become weak or tired faster due to their health issues. They sell for prices between $500 to $3,000 on average.

The short answer? Yes, it is possible to find an ethical breeder that has teacup dogs—the keyword being "has." Sometimes, an ethical breeder will have a litter with smaller-than-average pups that he or she can still give a health guarantee. This may be a rare occurrence, but it is the most ethical way to find a teacup.

Short lifespan: Teacup puppies have a shorter lifespan than regular-sized dogs of the same breed, due to their increased risk of genetic disorders and physical health issues. The average lifespan of teacup puppies is between 5 to 10 years , while the average lifespan of regular-sized dogs is between 10 to 15 years.

“Most breeders consider teacup dogs less than 4 pounds and standing less than 17 inches tall,” says Dr. Rice. “Given these standards, there are six true teacup breeds: teacup Chihuahua, teacup Maltese, teacup poodle, teacup Pomeranian, teacup Yorkie and teacup shih tzu.”