Do toy dog breeds have health issues?

Not all teacup dogs are unhealthy, but most are prone to several specific conditions. Between poor breeding practices and inadequate development, many teacup dogs face health challenges throughout their lives. Their size makes storing energy difficult, so they must be fed more often to manage their blood sugar. The following are some of the more common health problems seen in teacup dogs: Hydrocephalus Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) Heart disease or respiratory problems, sometimes caused by birth defects Collapsing trachea Seizures Liver shunt (a birth defect that keeps the liver from flushing out toxins) Luxating patella Frail bones that are easily broken. Breeding Practices Some breeders will mate the runts of litters to produce the smallest dogs possible. The problem with this is that runts are typically the least healthy members of the litter. They are often born with hereditary health conditions that can be passed on to their offspring. Poor development can lead to numerous health issues. Also, because teacups are so small, they can easily be stepped on or tripped over, causing potentially serious injuries or even death.