NOW YOUR READY TO BUY YOUR
FIRST CHIHUAHUA
After you have made that monumental decision to go and buy your first Chihuahua, where do you go from there? Where do you look for that special little dog that
will be your loving devoted companion for the next 10-15 years?
We always recommend to anyone who is looking for a Chihuahua, and is unfamiliar with the breed to GO SLOWLY. Contact the Controlling Canine body in your
home state, study the breed standard, attend a dog show or two, ask a lot of questions (the good breeders will talk to you and advise you), the breeder who isn’t
helpful is not usually the one you want to approach. Read up as much as possible on the breed.
Lets look at your options; some sources for purchasing Chihuahuas include the following: -
Back Yard Breeders
You can find their advertisements in most weekend papers. Good news is their prices are sometimes cheaper, but the bad news is that most times the quality of the
puppy is not as good as you would like. If you encounter a problem with your puppy most times they will not replace it. You may get lucky and find a loveable pet
this way but you definitely stand every chance of being ripped off or purchasing a puppy that will have multiple health problems. Most times these people have no
idea what problems they are introducing into the breed. Most times you will not have the opportunity of purchasing a pure bred pup with a registered pedigree.
These puppies are often about the same price you would pay from a reputable registered breeder.
Pet Shops
Dogs that come from pet shops usually follow one of two sources:
- They are purchased on consignment (usually a backyard breeder) at lets say $150 then on sold to gullible members of the public for lets say $1000 and over.
- They are purchased from a broker who buys for $150 who in turn sell to the pet shop for $300, then the puppy in on sold to the public for $1000 plus.
NOTE:
Pet shop pups are usually very low on quality and very highly priced and you never get to see the mother or father so have no idea how your little pup will
eventually turn out. The poor little Chihuahuas are often traumatized from their stay at the petshop and have very doubtful temperaments, mostly on the timid side or sometimes
aggressive.
Registered Breeders
They come in all sizes, shapes, types and personalities. Registered Breeders are guided by a code of ethics as set down by their States Canine Controlling body.
We find that reputable breeders will offer:
- Vet checks on all puppies sold
- Fully vaccinated with Vet Certificates and worming requirements
- Micro chipped with correct paperwork
- Full parentage Pedigree issued by their controlling canine body in the State they live in.
- Will supply you with the puppies diet sheet and at least two days supply of food the puppy is used to.
- Will advise/discuss any problems the breed is susceptible to.
- Will be available to answer any questions, offer help or assistance.
- Will be more than keen for you to visit their kennels and view their stock.
- Most registered breeders regularly show their stock at conformation shows and are very pleased to display their kennels wins.
ASK THESE QUESTIONS
- Is your breeder a member of a Chihuahua Club in his/her state – this displays a serious interest/concern for their breed
- Is your breeder a member of their states canine controlling body i.e., Dogs NSW, Dogs ACT, if they are not you will NOT be able to obtain pedigree
papers and you have no guarantee that your new Chihuahua is indeed a pedigree puppy.
- Why did the breeder have this particular litter?
- Litters should always be planned not ad hoc. Just because someone owns a bitch, it does not mean she has to be bred. Only first class, health tested breeding
stock should be mated.
- Experience within the breed is essential. Knowledge of what constitutes good breeding stock and then selectively breeding will help to produce sound puppies.
- Ask what guarantee the breeder offers? If so, what does it cover? The breeder should explain what hereditary problems are covered by the guarantee.
Once you have selected your breeder, ask if you are able to go on their waiting list. Once the puppies are born - you then have to select your puppy. Most breeders won’t let you
come to their home until the puppies are a month old, and will only let you in after removing your shoes.
If the breeder is like many, you may not have much of
a selection, as most litters are small and Chihuahuas are known to have trouble whelping. If there are only one or two puppies to choose from, then you need to
know how to evaluate and choose the one most suited to your family, sometimes the right puppy just jumps out at you and there is no choice to be made, if this is
the case you will probably buy the puppy.
However, if you have the presence of mind to stop and look and judge the puppy, then you can look for the things that
you read about in the Standard? Does the pup measure up? Do the parents comply to the standard? Does the breeder answer all your questions?
Purchasing your new Chihuahua baby can be one of the most rewarding things that has ever happened to you OR it can become a real nightmare depending on the choices
you made whilst shopping.
We hope this article will give some guidance to new prospective Chihuahua purchasers.
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