Where to Find a Good Chihuahua Breeder and What to Look For
Many people have had bad experiences with finding Chihuahua puppies, which is why pages like this are important.
We will attempt to give you some guidance and help you determine whether a breeder you are considering is reputable, and how to find them to begin with.
All puppies are adorable, but an investment in a puppy is one that can last for 14 years or more and shouldn't be taken lightly.
Let's begin with going over the things a good Chihuahua breeder will do.
The Internet Finding a good breeder as you search for a Chihuahua puppy is worth every second you invest.
You must be sure to choose a puppy with good health, temperament, and a solid family history.
You have to be sure of what you are diving into before making any decisions.
Thankfully, this is 2011 and we have the Internet at our disposal, and there is no better tool for finding breeders all over the world.
Ideally, you will want to choose a breeder who is close enough that you can pay a visit to the mother of your prospective new pet.
Web-savvy folks can find forums and chat rooms dedicated to Chihuahua breeders, and there may be links to ask questions of individual breeders you are considering.
Just keep in mind that websites are only a starting point and not a deciding factor.
People are much more likely to log complaints against a breeder than they are to take the time to register a compliment, so keep that in mind.
Your Veterinarian Your vet may be able to give you the name of a good Chihuahua breeder.
There are a few different ways in which they gather breeder information.
First off, they have access to breeder directories that a typical person does not.
They may also hear word of mouth recommendations from other clients.
If enough people are happy with their chosen breeder, your vet will be pleased to pass this information on to you.
The best recommendation of all will be of a breeder who uses that same veterinarian.
They will know the general health of the puppies and will have gathered information about the breeder's general practices and beliefs.
Someone telling you that all their puppies are vet checked can't compare to actually hearing it from the vet.
When seeking advice, ask how they know the breeder.
A relationship that is purely professional can be used for reference far easier than if they are recommending a breeder who is a friend or business acquaintance.
Current Owners Word of mouth is the ultimate referral source.
If you know other Chihuahua owners, ask them how and where they acquired their pet.
In general, the owners of these ever-so-sweet animals love to talk about them and would love to share their knowledge with you.
A good breeder should be open to showing you around their entire home and property.
If a breeder is reluctant to this, then just move on to the next, because they may have something they don't want you to see.
You should also be offered the chance to meet the mother of your prospective pup.
Picking the perfect Chihuahua puppy is exciting, yet daunting.
Choose a breeder that you feel a connection with, as they will be a great source of help and information throughout the life of your new family addition.
We will attempt to give you some guidance and help you determine whether a breeder you are considering is reputable, and how to find them to begin with.
All puppies are adorable, but an investment in a puppy is one that can last for 14 years or more and shouldn't be taken lightly.
Let's begin with going over the things a good Chihuahua breeder will do.
- Thoroughly test all animals that are used to breed
- Be knowledgeable of all possible health risks associated with Chihuahuas
- Compete in conformation dog shows and other events
- Offer a health guarantee and sales contract in writing
- Register each puppy and dog with the American Kennel Club (or Canadian)
- Have a thorough process for screening people who purchase puppies (they should be genuinely concerned that their animals are going to a good home)
- Puppies have already been spayed or neutered at the time of purchase.
- Offer purchase assistance and be willing to take the pet back should your situation change
The Internet Finding a good breeder as you search for a Chihuahua puppy is worth every second you invest.
You must be sure to choose a puppy with good health, temperament, and a solid family history.
You have to be sure of what you are diving into before making any decisions.
Thankfully, this is 2011 and we have the Internet at our disposal, and there is no better tool for finding breeders all over the world.
Ideally, you will want to choose a breeder who is close enough that you can pay a visit to the mother of your prospective new pet.
Web-savvy folks can find forums and chat rooms dedicated to Chihuahua breeders, and there may be links to ask questions of individual breeders you are considering.
Just keep in mind that websites are only a starting point and not a deciding factor.
People are much more likely to log complaints against a breeder than they are to take the time to register a compliment, so keep that in mind.
Your Veterinarian Your vet may be able to give you the name of a good Chihuahua breeder.
There are a few different ways in which they gather breeder information.
First off, they have access to breeder directories that a typical person does not.
They may also hear word of mouth recommendations from other clients.
If enough people are happy with their chosen breeder, your vet will be pleased to pass this information on to you.
The best recommendation of all will be of a breeder who uses that same veterinarian.
They will know the general health of the puppies and will have gathered information about the breeder's general practices and beliefs.
Someone telling you that all their puppies are vet checked can't compare to actually hearing it from the vet.
When seeking advice, ask how they know the breeder.
A relationship that is purely professional can be used for reference far easier than if they are recommending a breeder who is a friend or business acquaintance.
Current Owners Word of mouth is the ultimate referral source.
If you know other Chihuahua owners, ask them how and where they acquired their pet.
In general, the owners of these ever-so-sweet animals love to talk about them and would love to share their knowledge with you.
A good breeder should be open to showing you around their entire home and property.
If a breeder is reluctant to this, then just move on to the next, because they may have something they don't want you to see.
You should also be offered the chance to meet the mother of your prospective pup.
Picking the perfect Chihuahua puppy is exciting, yet daunting.
Choose a breeder that you feel a connection with, as they will be a great source of help and information throughout the life of your new family addition.
