Tracking down either a smooth or a long-coat Chihuahua puppy from a dedicated, conscientious breeder is the first step in your search for a new dog. If you don’t know anyone who can refer you to a quality breeder, figuring out where to look for one can be a challenge. According to the American Kennel Club, which maintains a registry of purebreds and tabulates how many litters and dogs in each breed are registered every year, the Chihuahua is consistently one of the top 15 most popular breeds. This means there’s no shortage of breeders who sell puppies. In fact, you can pretty much find Chihuahua pups for sale everywhere you look. However, finding a quality breeder who has a perfect and healthy Chihuahua for you requires a little detective work and some patience, but the search is well worth the effort. You’re going to have your Chihuahua well into his teens, so the time you spend early on to locate a healthy, well-adjusted puppy from a reputable breeder will pay off for you
it’s a Fact
Have your Chi examined by a veterinarian within two to three days after purchasing ?
If declared unhealthy, the breeder should take the dog back without any problems, which shows confidence and that the breeder stands behind his or her dogs. The willingness to rehome a puppy is the ultimate hallmark of a good breeder.
In the long run. Look for a dedicated and ethical breeder who values good health and stable personalities, and one who really cares what happens to the dog for the rest of his life spent with you. Be sure to avoid puppy mills and backyard breeders. Puppy mills are large-scale breeding operations that produce puppies in an assembly-line fashion without regard to health and socialization. Backyard breeders are typically well-meaning pet owners who simply do not possess enough knowledge about their breed and breeding to produce healthy puppies. The American Kennel Club (www.akc.org) and United Kennel Club (www.ukcdogs. com) provide lists of breeders in good standing with their organizations. Visit their websites for more information.
EVALUATING BREEDERS
Once you have the names and numbers of breeders in your area, start contacting them to find out more about their breeding programs. Before you pick up the phone, prepare a list of questions that will get you the information you need to know. Prospective buyers should interview breeders much the same way that a breeder interviews a buyer. Make a list of questions and record the answers so you can compare them to the answers from other breeders whom you may interview later. The right questions are those that help you identify who has been in the breed a respectable number of years and who is actively showing their dogs. Ask in-depth questions regarding the genetic health of the parents, grandparents and great-grandparents of any puppy you are considering. Ask what sort of genetic testing program the breeder adheres to. A prospective buyer should look to see if a breeder actively shows his or her dogs. Showing indicates that the breeder is bringing out examples from his or her breeding program for the public to see. If there are any obvious problems, such as temperament or general conformation, they will be readily apparent. Also, the main reason to breed dogs is to improve the quality of the breed. If the breeder is not showing, then he or she is more likely breeding for the monetary aspect and may have less concern for the welfare and future of the breed. Smart potential puppy buyers inquire about health and determine the breeder’s willingness to work with them in the future. The prospective buyer should see what kind of health guarantees the breeder gives. You should also find out if the breeder will be available for future consultation regarding your dog, and find out if the breeder will take him back if something unforeseen happens.Prospective buyers should ask plenty of questions, and in return, they should be prepared to answer questions posed by a responsible breeder who wants to make sure their Chi puppy is going to a good home. Be prepared for a battery of questions from the breeder regarding your purpose for wanting a Chihuahua and whether or not you can properly care for one. Avoid buying from a breeder who does little or no screening. Ifbreeders don’t ask questions, they are not concerned with where their toy puppies end up. In this case, the dogs’ best interests are probably not the breeder’s motive for breeding. You should find a breeder who is willing to answer any questions you have and is knowledgeable about the history of the breed, health issues and about the background of their own dogs. Learn about a breeder’s long-term commitment to the breed and to their puppies after they leave the kennel. Look for a breeder who knows their purpose for producing a particular litter, one who is knowledgeable of the pedigrees of their dogs and of the breed itself and has had the necessary health screenings performed on the parents. The breeder should also be asking you for references if they are interested in establishing a relationship with you. If after one phone conversation with a breeder, they supply you with an address to send a deposit, continue your search for a reputable breeder elsewhere.
When you visit a Chihuahua breeder,
be sure to look around the location for:
• a clean, well-maintained facility
• no overwhelming odors
• overall impression of cleanliness
• socialized dogs and puppies
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PUP
Once you have found a breeder you are comfortable with, your next step is to pick the right puppy for you. The good news is that if you have done your homework in finding a responsible breeder, you can count on this person to give you plenty of help in choosing the right pup for your personality and lifestyle. In fact, most good breeders will recommend a specific puppy to a buyer once they know what kind of dog the buyer wants. After you have narrowed down the search and selected a reputable breeder, rely on the experience of the breeder to help you select the exact puppy. The selection of the puppy depends a lot on what purpose the pup is being purchased for. If the pup is being purchased as a show prospect, the breeder will offer their assessment of the pups who meet this criteria and be able to explain the strengths and faults of each pup. Whether your pup is show- or pet-quality, a good, stable temperament is vital for a happy relationship. Generally, you want to avoid a timid puppy or one who is very dominant. Temperament is very important, and a reputable breeder should spend a lot of time with the pups and be able to offer an evaluation of each pup’s personality. Reputable breeders should tell each buyer which puppy is appropriate for their home situation and personalities. They may not allow you to choose the puppy, although they will certainly take your preference into consideration. Some breeders, on the other hand, believe it’s important for you to have a strong involvement in picking a puppy from the litter. Not everyone is looking for the same things in a dog. Some people want a quiet, laidback attitude. Others want an outgoing, active dog. When pups are old enough to go to their new homes at roughly 10 to 12 weeks of age, some breeders prefer that you make your own decision because no one can tell at this age which pup will make the most intelligent or affectionate dog. The color, sex and markings are obvious, but that is about all you can tell for sure at this age. Everything else being equal — size, health, etc. — you might just pick the pup who you have a gut feeling for. Chemistry between the buyer and a puppy is important and should play a role in determining which pup goes to which home. When possible, make numerous visits, and in effect, let a puppy choose you. There usually will be one puppy who spends more time with a buyer and is more comfortable relaxing and sitting with or on them. This is a sign that you have finally found your Chi pup.
Questions to Expect
Be prepared for the breeder to ask you some questions, too.
1. Have you previously owned a Chihuahua?
The breeder is trying to gauge how
familiar you are with the breed. If you
have never owned one, illustrate your
knowledge of Chihuahuas by telling the
breeder about your research.
2. Do you have children? What are their ages?
Some breeders are wary about selling
a dog to families with younger children.
This isn’t a steadfast rule, and some
breeders insist on meeting the
children to see how they handle puppies;
it all depends on the breeder.
3. How long have you wanted a Chihuahua?
This helps a breeder know if this purchase is an impulse buy or a carefully
thought-out decision. Buying on
impulse is one of the biggest mistakes
owners can make. Be patient.