Dogsey

When Chip the chihuahua-dachshund cross was born, he looked the same as his two siblings.

But while they grew up and were sold off to new owners, he stayed the same size, measuring just over five inches tall.

Now dog breeder Emma Robson, 24, has adopted him as her own and takes him for walks on a lead designed for budgies.

At just under 2lb, the petite pet weighs less than a bag of sugar, and is dwarfed by even everyday items such as a tin of hot dogs.

Emma said: 'He's brilliant and he's tiny. There were two others in his litter but while they grew he's just stayed the same size at around three inches tall to the shoulder.

'He was so cute I just couldn't bring myself to sell him so he's stayed with us. He gets on with all the other dogs, he's very brave and loves his food and playing with a tennis ball.

'His mum is a Dachshund and his dad a Chihuahua - neither of them are particularly small.

'He eats plenty of scrambled eggs and pasta so we don't know why he's stayed so small. He's a fantastic dog with a big personality.'

Emma added: 'Chip can be reluctant on walks - because of his size everything is a bit daunting to him. Small blades of grass for him must seem massive.

'We have to take him out on a cockatiel lead called a feather tether which is supposed to be used for budgies. 'I've also fashioned him a little t-shirt out of a sleeve to act as a harness for him.

Emma and Mark also look after seven other dogs - Bea, a rescue greyhound, border collie Sky, Ruby the cardigan corgi and four other sausage dogs called Nelly, JJ, Coco and Dolly.