Britain's Smallest Pug Is Four Inches Tall And Can Fit In A Gravy Boat

This tiny little fella could be Britain's smallest pug - and he's small enough to fit in a gravy boat.

At under four inches tall, Pip is smaller than a large drinks can and only half the size of his sister.

The four-month-old runt of the litter is a purebred pug, who just never seemed to grow, according to owner Joanne Astley.

Joanne, 54, decided to start breeding pugs last year, and was delighted when two-year-old Ruby gave birth to a litter of four in January.

But her delight soon turned to shock when she realised that one of the puppies was half the size of the others.

Joanne, of Dudley, West Mids, said: 'We took her to the vet, but they said that she was fine, apart from a cleft lip, and is just small.

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'We love our little Pip so much - I thought she was going to grow up quickly, but she's stayed so little.'

Mum-of-four Joanne and gas engineer partner Steve Madelin, 56, decided to keep tiny Pip and one of her sisters, Poppy.

Pip is almost exactly half the size a four-month-old pug pup should be - and weighs just 1lbs 4 ounces, about the same as a bag of sugar.

She was born with a cleft palette and hair lip, and vets suspect she may have difficulties forming which may explain her size.

Joanne said: 'Pip may be small, but she's got a big character.

'We've got to be very careful, because Poppy is too rough with her.

'She must be Britain's smallest pug - if not the smallest pug in the world.'

Pip is about the size of a handspan and her owners reckon she'll never grow much more.

Joanne added: 'If I want to take her out, I have to pick her up and put her in my handbag.

'People stop and stare - they can't believe she's real, they all think she's a toy.'