Have you ever heard of "teacup dogs"? These tiny creatures, originating from the United States, are named for their ability to fit into a teacup due to their unusually small size. With their cute appearance and petite bodies, they can be easily cradled in one hand, and their gentle and obedient nature makes them irresistible to pet lovers. Even the toughest of men can be softened by their charming charms. It's hard to imagine anyone who doesn't fall for their irresistible charm...
Celebrities and socialites are especially enamored with these dogs, often carrying them around in their handbags as a fashion accessory. It's a convenient way to enjoy the joy of pet ownership anytime, anywhere.
Teacup dogs gain immense popularity, with prices soaring to hundreds, even thousands dollars. They occupy a premium position in the pet market. However, what many people don't know is that behind their cute and adorable appearance lies a human-created tragedy.
The first teacup poodle in the world was actually a victim of dwarfism, a congenital deformity caused by genetic mutation. Its unusually small size unexpectedly catered to many people's aesthetic preferences. This unexpected trend sparked a lucrative business opportunity, attracting unethical breeders like moths to a flame.
The reality is that teacup dogs are not a naturally occurring breed. They are man-made "designer dogs" bred and manipulated by humans. The smaller they are, the more "cute" they are deemed, leading to rigid requirements in the market: dogs that measure less than 20 centimeters in height and weigh under 1.8 kilograms are considered teacup dogs. Some even weigh less than half a kilogram!
Naturally small breeds of dogs like poodles, Pomeranians, Yorkshire Terriers, and Chihuahuas have become the first victims. They are forcibly transformed into teacup versions of themselves: teacup poodles, teacup Pomeranians, teacup Yorkies, and teacup Chihuahuas. In pursuit of this nonexistent "perfect breed," breeders have resorted to increasingly cruel methods.
From the moment they are born, teacup dogs' suffering begins. They are injected with so-called "growth inhibitors" to stunt their growth. They grow up in extreme malnutrition, with their daily food rations carefully measured to ensure they don't starve but don't grow too big. Even slightly larger dogs are fed diet pills and starved to force them to lose weight. Some unethical breeders even wrap them in cloth to physically restrain their growth.
Teacup dogs are often born prematurely, with their mothers undergoing cesarean sections before the embryos have fully developed. This results in a lifetime of illnesses and pain for these dogs. Due to their congenital defects, teacup dogs have exceptionally fragile bodies, with bones that can break easily and hearts that struggle to pump blood. Even breathing requires all their strength.
The average lifespan of a teacup dog is only 6 to 10 years, significantly shorter than that of a normal dog. Many of them die shortly after birth. Dogs are naturally social animals that need exercise and companionship. But with their underdeveloped hearts and fragile bones, they are unable to run and play like normal dogs. All this suffering is a result of human deformity of aesthetic standards.
This is not cute; it's cruelty. To maintain the "small" gene in teacup dogs, many breeding farms deliberately mate small dogs with their relatives, leading to a host of health issues like short lifespans, poor immunity, and sudden death. Once a dog develops health problems, it often faces abandonment, leaving it with no choice but to die.
Teacup dogs share a similar fate with another breed, the Scottish Fold cat. The Scottish Fold's distinctive "folded" ears are the result of a genetic mutation that affects cartilage development throughout the body. All cats with the fold gene are destined to suffer from pain throughout their lives. They usually start showing symptoms between 2 and 6 months of age. Once the disease manifests, they spend every day in pain, with swollen limbs, deformed toes, and stiff tails. Their seemingly cute poses are actually attempts to alleviate their suffering. Unfortunately, this inherited bone disease has no cure, and the condition often worsens over time, leading to increasingly severe pain until death.
Currently, the only way to prevent this genetic disease is to stop breeding Scottish Fold cats altogether. Many people are unaware that the "cute" traits we admire in these animals come at a cost to their health and well-being.
As pet lovers, we should be mindful of the impact our choices have on these innocent creatures and strive to promote responsible breeding practices that prioritize their health and welfare.
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