How To Identify a Responsible Chihuahua Breeder
So how do you tell if a Chihuahua breeder is a responsible one or not?
Well, it's easy to separate responsible breeders from irresponsible ones... because responsible breeders do things that irresponsible breeders do not.
Below i have made a list of the important things responsible breeders do - to help you tell if a breeder you are evaluating is a responsible breeder.
Responsible breeders do all of the things listed below - not some of them - all of them. If a breeder you're speaking to doesn't do any of the things listed below - walk away (or you are taking a much bigger risk of getting an unhealthy, ugly, or ill tempered Chihuahua):
- A responsible breeder screens their breeding stock for Luxating Patella (OFA) and eye diseases (CERF) - two hereditary diseases commonly found in Chihuahuas. If either dog fails the OFA or CERF screening tests, they do no breed that dog because the chances that the disease will be passed on to it's offspring are increased. Screening the breeding stock, and only breeding the dogs if they pass the tests, increases the chances that the puppies will be healthy and will not inherit diseases. (This is quite possibly what truly separates responsible breeders from all the rest, that's why i listed it first. Health screening is not optional, it is a must and every responsible breeder does it. Run away from any breeder who cannot show you, on request, OFA and CERF certificates for the parents, and grandparents, of the puppies you are considering).
- A responsible Chihuahua breeder only breeds AKC registered Chihuahuas. This ensures that the dogs being bred, are, in fact, purebred Chihuahuas, so the puppies, too, will be purebred Chihuahuas. (Although, keep in mind that "AKC registered" does not mean the dog has sound health or temperament or that it will even look true to it's type. Even irresponsible breeders sell "AKC registered" Chihuahuas. "AKC registered" is not a sign of quality, it just means that the Chihuahua has parents who were also Chihuahuas, i.e. the puppy is a purebred).
- A responsible Chihuahua breeder thoroughly researches and assesses the pedigrees (family tree) of both the sire and dam being considered for mating. They do this to determine what the temperament, health, and "looks" of the previous generations was like... because these characteristics will be passed on to the puppies.
- A responsible breeder breeds Chihuahuas to the AKC breed standard - the characteristics such as size, proportion, coat, color and temperament - which the breed should have. It's what makes a Chihuahua a Chihuahua! You can read the breed standard here: http://www.akc.org/breeds/chihuahua/index.cfm
- A responsible breeder will be happy to introduce you to the mother of the puppies and will encourage you to spend time with her. Puppies inherit half their genes from their mother, and half from their father. So by meeting the parents you can get an idea of what the puppies will grow up to be like. It is unlikely that you will be able to meet the father, because most of the time the father will not belong to the breeder, it will belong to someone else. Responsible breeders spend a lot of time researching and tracking down the right stud to mate their bitch with. And often the "right stud" is located in another town or state. This is the mark of responsible breeder, because she didn't just breed her bitch with the nearest male dog she could find. She found the right one to mate her bitch with. However, in some cases responsible breeders will have the male in their home too. Chihuahuas are naturally a little antisocial, however the mother, and father if he is present, should settle down to you after you've meet them. She should not be overly shy or aggressive! keep in mind that she may be a little protective of her litter if they are still very young.
- A responsible breeders raises the litter in clean and well maintained conditions. When you visit the breeders home (a responsible breeder will always let you inside her home to examine the living area of the litter) check to see how well kept the area is that the litter are being raised in. There should not be any old stools or urine found on the ground. There should obviously not be any flies or foul smells. The conditions the litter and mother are living in should be very clean and tidy. If this isn't the case it may be a breeding ground for parasites or even disease and unhealthy puppies. However, keep in mind that the breeder may spend so much time and attention cleaning and looking after the litter, that the rest of the home is a little messy and needs some routine house keeping.
- A responsible Chihuahua breeder won't sell to just anybody. She will interview you thoroughly first to ensure her "baby" finds a good home and will be well cared for his whole life! She should be caring, knowledgeable, and genuine. she will know about the breed inside-out and will be able to answer any question about the breed that you ask. She should encourage you to visit with your family to spend some time with the litter. She should be willing to provide support to you for the lifetime of the dog. There should be no pressure for you to buy, a responsible breeder wants you to make up your own mind so you make the right decision.
- A responsible breeder will only be breeding Chihuahuas, or at very most, one other different type of dog breed as well. It takes so much time and work to breed Chihuahuas responsibly, that it is impossible to have the time and knowledge to do it properly if you are breeding several different breeds.
- A responsible breeder a maximum of 3 litters per year, and often has a waiting list of buyers.
- A responsible breeder raises the litter inside the home as part of the family, not outside in a kennel or anywhere else. Chihuahua's need a lot of early socialization - being surrounded and introduced to everyday sounds, pets, people, and so on. This socialization of being raised from birth around humans, and everything related to humans, will lead to temperamentally sound, socialized Chihuahua puppies.
- A responsible breeder doesn't sell cheap puppies. It is very expensive to breed a litter of Chihuahua puppies responsibly, there are a lot of costs involved.
- A responsible breeder is involved in local, state or national Chihuahua clubs. And may also show their Chihuahuas in confirmation trials (basically a beauty pageant, where the Chihuahua most true to the breed standard wins), or compete in obedience trials or other canine activities.
- A responsible breeder will be able to give you references of other breeders who belong to Chihuahua kennel clubs or who show their dogs. In addition to references from owners of puppies from their past litters.
- A responsible breeder will provide a written contract outlining all of your responsibilities and hers. This contract will contain, at minimum, a standard 48 hour full-refund guarantee. This guarantee gives you sufficient time to take your new Chi puppy to the Vet for a health inspection. Also push for a 2 or 3 year guarantee of hereditary health and temperament. Some responsible breeders will not do this though, so it doesn't necessarily mean anything if they don't.
You now know how to identify a responsible Chihuahua breeder. Now it's time to go shopping for your new puppy...
Next: Where To Find a Responsible Breeder Who Has Puppies For Sale