Breed Research

Soem common myths about the chihuahua and other things

Did you know that Teacup chihuahuas are not a "special breed" as some breeders would have you believe? Yes, it is possible to breed two tiny Chihuahuas and get tiny babies, but it is also possible to breed two tiny ones and get "standard" size chihuahua puppies or even larger than standard sized. And it is also possible to breed two "standard" size chihuahuas and get tiny babies. The breeders who will tell you that they have nothing but "teacup" puppies are should be viewed with healthy skepticism. In truth, the breeding practices required to get consistently tiny puppies are suspect at best, and unethical at worst, and still cannot guarantee tiny puppies. Plus, if you've loved Shihuahuas as long as I have, you have probably found that some of these breeders are asking MUCH more for their puppies than the average breeder. Chihuahuas are not naturally supposed to be 2 and 3 pound adult dogs. Average size Chihuahuas are 5-7 pounds, but they can grow to be 8-10 pounds or more. And their Mexican ancestors are believed to have been between 10 and 15 pounds. It is very difficult to determine at birth, or even 6 or 8 weeks, just how large a puppy will get. Some breeders do intentionally breed the tiny dogs, but again, there is no legitimate reason to do this, and may be very detrimental to the health and temperament of the resulting puppies and the breed as a whole. The tiny puppies are a novelty to most people and on average are not healthy dogs, despite the fact that Chihuahuas are one of the healthiest breeds available. In reality, there are only two breeds of Chihuahuas, the long-haired and the smooth coats...that's it, nothing more. Not even the "special" or "rare" colors are special breeds, although they do require special knowledge of the genetics of canine color to breed them properly. Another of the popular myths is that AKC (American Kennel Club) registration of a puppy is better than CKC (Continental Kennel Club), UKC (Universal Kennel Club), ACA (American Canine Association) or any other kennel club registration. The truth is that all kennel clubs' purpose is to maintain the pedigree of various lines of canines, and to provide information about the many breeds of dog out there. Pedigrees are simply a list of ancestors of any given dog. Most kennel clubs set breed standards for each breed, but some clubs' standards have negative impacts on the overall health or usefulness of the breed. Other kennel club's standards for purebred dogs are not compromised just because they are newer kennel clubs, and usually their rates for registering your puppy, getting pedigrees and registering litters are MUCH more reasonable than AKC. The truth of the matter really is that some breeders do charge more for their puppies JUST because they are ACK registered, but that simply isn't necessary. You can also register champion bloodlines through CKC just as well as through AKC. And if you have an AKC registered dog, you are able to dual register it with CKC as well. Either way you go, a kennel club's purpose is to assist dog owners. It is not a be-all, end-all authority on dogs. The final myth I want to disspell is that Chihuahuas are mean. That couldn't be further from the truth. I have had Chihuahuas all my life and I've never had a mean one. In contrast, they are VERY lovable and friendly dogs, if given the opportunity. They are very "owner oriented" dogs, in that they do attach very strongly to their owner, and they will protect their owner if the need arises. But on average, Chihuahuas are like most other dogs, they don't have a mean bone in their small little bodies unless you train them to be that way However, they can be fearful if not properly socialized, and that fear can turn to aggression when cornered. The simple solution to this issue is socialization, early and throughout the first year of life! Check the links below for much more information on chihuahuas. And if you find that you have any more questions, please feel free to e-mail me.

Chihuahua breed standard

Height: 5-10 In.
Group: Southern
Weight: 1-7 Lbs.
Coat: Short & Smooth Long & Soft
Color: All Colors
Description: : Head: Rounded, “apple-dome” skull, with a short muzzle. Eyes: Set wide apart, full and dark in color. Ears: Large and erect. Neck: Slender and slightly arched. Chest: Deep, but not barrel shaped. Ribs are well-sprung. Body: Back is level, straight and as short as possible. Legs: Forelegs are straight, fine and set well under the body. Hind legs are positioned well under the body, with bent hocks. Feet: Small, with soft pads and toes separated, but not spread. Tail: Medium length, carried upward, low, or curled over back, but never tucked. Movement: Smooth flowing gait, with graceful movements. Temperament: Alert, and a good family pet. *The Chihuahua is the smallest dog in the world & comes in 2 varieties the Long-coated & the Short-coated. The breed is alert & an excellent house pet.

Are we overvaccinating our dogs?

In recent years, questions have come up regarding canine vaccination schedules. Many people, myself included, believe that we are over-vaccinating our dogs. That is because research has shown that once a dog has completed his vaccination series, his antibody titers level off and remain steady for many years, and probably throughout his life. That means that once the puppy vaccination series is complete, a final booster should be administered at the one year mark, and then the dog is immune, probably for life. Why, then, do we do annual boosters for our pets? Unfortunately, it may be because of our vets. Veterinarians are in business for profit, and they do make good profit on vaccinations, so it is likely that is the cause of over-vaccination. Click on the titles below for more information on vaccinations.