Use the 2 lb Rule With Small Breed Puppies

I know a lot people are drawn to the smaller breeds. I am one of those people and I want you to know that it's not as easy as pick the breed, pick the puppy, bring home the puppy. Learn what the average size is for your breed. Be informed about the breed and any health issues they may be prone to.
Your small breeds (such as Yorkie, Maltese, Chihuahua's) have very tiny puppies. There are dangers with these tiny babies that you night be faced with as a puppy owner. One of the dangers is juvenile hypoglycemia which can kill. Juvenile hypoglycemia occurs in puppies less than 3 months of age when the blood sugar or glucose drops too low. Your puppy will get lethargic, trembling or even collapse. Your puppy gets its glucose when it's food is digested. Puppies must eat three to four times a day and not have long periods of time between meals. It's easy to get so wrapped up in the cuteness factor with these little guys that you just want to carry them around with you all the time. Don't forget to give them their time at the food and water bowls. Bringing a new puppy home can sometimes be traumatic and you may see them not eating well. You CAN NOT just think a puppy will eat when it gets hungry enough, a little one under 2 lbs is a good candidate for juvenile hypoglycemia to occur. You have to monitor your puppies eating habits and food intake. If your puppy isn't eating call the breeder or your vet. I recommend supplementing your puppy's diet with Nutri-Cal, a high calorie dietary supplement that's veterinarian approved.
I've experienced the juvenile hypoglycemia with Graycee as a puppy. She was so tiny and had a few bouts of it but I was well informed by my breeder and also by my vet with advice on what to watch out for. I was prepared for it and knew what steps to take to get her sugar up. Please check with your veterinarian for more information on juvenile hypoglycemia, my advice is based on my experience.
Here's some advice on your next purchase of those tiny little babies. A reputable breeder should not let the puppy go before it's eating well but ask if they will keep the puppy until it's 2 lbs. DO NOT bring home a small breed puppy less than 8 weeks old, you're asking for trouble. I highly recommend you to ask the breeder to keep the puppy until it's 10-12 weeks old if you can stand the wait. The older and fatter the better. When you get your puppy home, watch that your puppy is eating well. I recommend that you make sure your puppy has a full tummy before bedtime also. I know that probably means a potty break in the middle of the night but believe me when I tell you that's better than dealing with a crashing puppy. You can take away that late feeding as your puppy gets older and out of the danger zone. When Grayce crashed (hypoglycemic shock), I had to rub her gums with nutri-cal or Karo syrup and get some food into her even by syringe if necessary and I kept her warm. I rushed her straight to the vet when it felt out of my comfort zone. Call your vet for instructions or bring the puppy straight to the vet if you suspect juvenile hypoglycemia with your puppy. Please get informed with juvenile hypoglycemia before you bring home your puppy. Luv ur pets!

Here's a couple of imformative links:
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/hypoglycemia-in-dogs/page1.aspx
http://www.ehow.com/how_4473517_prevent-hypoglycemia-dogs.html