Hello, my name is LaNora. I recently lost my best friend and part of my heart. I am looking for advice on reliable breeders for Chihuahuas or Yorkshire Terriers. Small breeds. Your advice for breeders and breeds will be greatly appreciated. Hoping to find my companion for life.
Dog Breeders
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Hi. Welcome to the forum.
First of all, I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s without doubt, the hardest thing about pet ownership.
Ethical breeders often don’t have to advertise as they have long waiting lists. You can find them at dog shows. See which dogs place well and make a note of those dogs/breeders kennel names. Then hit Google and research the following;
1). What health tests they’ve had (tests - not checks. Health tests are expensive, genetic testing for various hereditary diseases and involve x-Ray’s and blood tests. They’re not just a once-over from the vet). The breeder should be only too willing to shout about them from the rooftops. Make sure you know what health tests - and what the scores should be - for the breeds.
2). How many litters the breeders/bitches have had. Ethical breeders don’t have many litters, and don’t have them very often. So, many litters of different breeds, or from the same bitches, is a major red flag. So is breeding back-to-back.
3). Cross breeds. Ethical breeders aren’t going to put money and effort into researching their lines, health testing, proving their breeding stock etc, just to cross their proven, fully health tested, researched bitch to the nearest intact male. They don’t have “oops” litters, either because they know how to keeps bitches and studs apart. Likewise, stupid names for crosses that sound made up - usually because they are.
4). Litters on the ground. This is possible, (a bit more possible in today climate because of the cost of living), so if there is one on the ground, check they’re not selling males and females for different prices (BYB and puppy farmers often sell females at higher prices - because they have uteruses and therefore can be bred). Same goes for so-called “rare” colours. “Rare” in dog breeding usually means “undesirable to the breed standard”, and coat colours are often “undesirable to the breed standard” because they’re linked to genetic health problems in the breed.
Once you’ve found a breeder, be prepared to wait. They may not be planning to breed yet, they may be struggling themselves with the cost of living, or waiting until it clears. They may still be in the researching or proving stage, so their intended bitch may not be ready.
Also be prepared for a barrage of questions. A breeder that hands over a puppy to the first person with the cash, is a red flag. Likewise, they should be only too willing to answer your own questions.
Make sure you meet the puppy with the dam/mum at home - and make sure it is the mum, not a random bitch brought in for looks. She’s been nursing them for weeks, so her teats may be enlarged, and she should be ready and willing to interact with them. Any excuse the breeder gives for the bitch not to be with the litter - gone out for a walk, vet visit - that’s another red flag.
Pups should be clean and healthy, with clear eyes and ears. Any discharge from the nose, eyes or ears, or dirty bums, and that’s another red flag. They should be playful and energetic - not lethargic. Shouldn’t be underweight either.
There’s probably more, but I can’t think of anything else at the moment.
If you have a breeder in mind and want us to give them a check, post the link to their website and we’ll give them a once-over for you.
Thank you so very much for your time and thoughtful response. You will probably hear from me about a breeder. Thanks again.Hi. Welcome to the forum.
First of all, I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s without doubt, the hardest thing about pet ownership.
Ethical breeders often don’t have to advertise as they have long waiting lists. You can find them at dog shows. See which dogs place well and make a note of those dogs/breeders kennel names. Then hit Google and research the following;
1). What health tests they’ve had (tests - not checks. Health tests are expensive, genetic testing for various hereditary diseases and involve x-Ray’s and blood tests. They’re not just a once-over from the vet). The breeder should be only too willing to shout about them from the rooftops. Make sure you know what health tests - and what the scores should be - for the breeds.
2). How many litters the breeders/bitches have had. Ethical breeders don’t have many litters, and don’t have them very often. So, many litters of different breeds, or from the same bitches, is a major red flag. So is breeding back-to-back.
3). Cross breeds. Ethical breeders aren’t going to put money and effort into researching their lines, health testing, proving their breeding stock etc, just to cross their proven, fully health tested, researched bitch to the nearest intact male. They don’t have “oops” litters, either because they know how to keeps bitches and studs apart. Likewise, stupid names for crosses that sound made up - usually because they are.
4). Litters on the ground. This is possible, (a bit more possible in today climate because of the cost of living), so if there is one on the ground, check they’re not selling males and females for different prices (BYB and puppy farmers often sell females at higher prices - because they have uteruses and therefore can be bred). Same goes for so-called “rare” colours. “Rare” in dog breeding usually means “undesirable to the breed standard”, and coat colours are often “undesirable to the breed standard” because they’re linked to genetic health problems in the breed.
Once you’ve found a breeder, be prepared to wait. They may not be planning to breed yet, they may be struggling themselves with the cost of living, or waiting until it clears. They may still be in the researching or proving stage, so their intended bitch may not be ready.
Also be prepared for a barrage of questions. A breeder that hands over a puppy to the first person with the cash, is a red flag. Likewise, they should be only too willing to answer your own questions.
Make sure you meet the puppy with the dam/mum at home - and make sure it is the mum, not a random bitch brought in for looks. She’s been nursing them for weeks, so her teats may be enlarged, and she should be ready and willing to interact with them. Any excuse the breeder gives for the bitch not to be with the litter - gone out for a walk, vet visit - that’s another red flag.
Pups should be clean and healthy, with clear eyes and ears. Any discharge from the nose, eyes or ears, or dirty bums, and that’s another red flag. They should be playful and energetic - not lethargic. Shouldn’t be underweight either.
There’s probably more, but I can’t think of anything else at the moment.
If you have a breeder in mind and want us to give them a check, post the link to their website and we’ll give them a once-over for you.
Sorry to hear you are carrying a loss now. I hope you find a friend to help you heal. Here is the link for the Yorkshire Terrier of America Club breeder referral list. It's got some additional breed specific things to watch out for if you are shopping for a Yorkie. Yorkshire Terrier Dog Breeders- Yorkie Puppies
You didn't mention Maltese, but I think they are another wonderful toy breed. Here's the link to the American Maltese Association breeder referral AMA Breeder Referral Disclaimer | American Maltese Association
You didn't mention Maltese, but I think they are another wonderful toy breed. Here's the link to the American Maltese Association breeder referral AMA Breeder Referral Disclaimer | American Maltese Association
There is a beautiful female chihuahua, fawn long haired named Apple, for now. The breeders website Chihuahuas of Animal Haus . Your expertise will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for being such a kind and willing soul.Hi. Welcome to the forum.
First of all, I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s without doubt, the hardest thing about pet ownership.
Ethical breeders often don’t have to advertise as they have long waiting lists. You can find them at dog shows. See which dogs place well and make a note of those dogs/breeders kennel names. Then hit Google and research the following;
1). What health tests they’ve had (tests - not checks. Health tests are expensive, genetic testing for various hereditary diseases and involve x-Ray’s and blood tests. They’re not just a once-over from the vet). The breeder should be only too willing to shout about them from the rooftops. Make sure you know what health tests - and what the scores should be - for the breeds.
2). How many litters the breeders/bitches have had. Ethical breeders don’t have many litters, and don’t have them very often. So, many litters of different breeds, or from the same bitches, is a major red flag. So is breeding back-to-back.
3). Cross breeds. Ethical breeders aren’t going to put money and effort into researching their lines, health testing, proving their breeding stock etc, just to cross their proven, fully health tested, researched bitch to the nearest intact male. They don’t have “oops” litters, either because they know how to keeps bitches and studs apart. Likewise, stupid names for crosses that sound made up - usually because they are.
4). Litters on the ground. This is possible, (a bit more possible in today climate because of the cost of living), so if there is one on the ground, check they’re not selling males and females for different prices (BYB and puppy farmers often sell females at higher prices - because they have uteruses and therefore can be bred). Same goes for so-called “rare” colours. “Rare” in dog breeding usually means “undesirable to the breed standard”, and coat colours are often “undesirable to the breed standard” because they’re linked to genetic health problems in the breed.
Once you’ve found a breeder, be prepared to wait. They may not be planning to breed yet, they may be struggling themselves with the cost of living, or waiting until it clears. They may still be in the researching or proving stage, so their intended bitch may not be ready.
Also be prepared for a barrage of questions. A breeder that hands over a puppy to the first person with the cash, is a red flag. Likewise, they should be only too willing to answer your own questions.
Make sure you meet the puppy with the dam/mum at home - and make sure it is the mum, not a random bitch brought in for looks. She’s been nursing them for weeks, so her teats may be enlarged, and she should be ready and willing to interact with them. Any excuse the breeder gives for the bitch not to be with the litter - gone out for a walk, vet visit - that’s another red flag.
Pups should be clean and healthy, with clear eyes and ears. Any discharge from the nose, eyes or ears, or dirty bums, and that’s another red flag. They should be playful and energetic - not lethargic. Shouldn’t be underweight either.
There’s probably more, but I can’t think of anything else at the moment.
If you have a breeder in mind and want us to give them a check, post the link to their website and we’ll give them a once-over for you.
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8,725 Posts
What I liked about the breeder is that they have good information about the dogs' historical pedigrees and show results - show results mean they have been independently assessed by a third person.
I also liked that it's a very badly designed website (it's awful on the eye)! For me that's actually a positive, it means they aren't employing slick features and a flashy store front to deflect buyers' attention away from the important stuff.
What I disliked was that there was no information that I could find about the puppies available - who their sires/dams were, what health tests were done. In the UK that would mean hip scoring the parents, and possibly MRI testing for CMSM (although that's less common and some people accept that if it hasn't been a problem over several generations, it's an acceptable risk).
Another possible red flag is having several litters at once. That's a commercial breeder, not a 'hobby' breeder as they seem to like calling themselves.
So, there's a couple of questions for them to answer. Other people may have more suggestions.
I also liked that it's a very badly designed website (it's awful on the eye)! For me that's actually a positive, it means they aren't employing slick features and a flashy store front to deflect buyers' attention away from the important stuff.
What I disliked was that there was no information that I could find about the puppies available - who their sires/dams were, what health tests were done. In the UK that would mean hip scoring the parents, and possibly MRI testing for CMSM (although that's less common and some people accept that if it hasn't been a problem over several generations, it's an acceptable risk).
Another possible red flag is having several litters at once. That's a commercial breeder, not a 'hobby' breeder as they seem to like calling themselves.
So, there's a couple of questions for them to answer. Other people may have more suggestions.
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2,070 Posts
Good points:
- They keep their puppies until they're 8-10 weeks and hold them back if they're slower to develop/smaller than they should be. Chihuahua puppies usually are held back later than other puppies because they can be slower to develop.
- They say they don't ship their puppies and insist new puppy owners meet the puppies at their home.
- Puppies are sold with a spay/neuter contract and limited AKC registration, so any puppies born to their litters cannot be AKC registered.
Red Flags:
Red Flag 1: Selling puppies at vastly different prices ($800-$3000). Why?
Red Flag 2: Breeding non-AKC-recognised colours (chocolate, blue).
Red Flag 3: No titles/championships since 2009. They say in the About Me section that that is because of the breeder's poor health, but the dogs could have been shown by a relative/friend/handler. See also Red Flag 6.
Red Flag 4: Pics of the puppies, but none with the dam/litter. No information about the parents, or health testing, either.
Red Flag 5: 5-year "Genetic health" guarantee in which you get a "replacement" puppy. If your vet can prove a genetic link. First of all, why not just health test the parents before they breed? Secondly, after 4-5 years, a conscientious, loving owner probably doesn't want a replacement puppy. They might, however, wish for assistance with vet fees, which isn't available.
Red Flag 6: They don't want the new owners showing their puppies/dogs because they believe that the dogs should be pet dogs. There's no reason the puppies/dogs can't be both much loved pets and show dogs. This is also at odds with Red Flag 5.
Red Flag 7: Multiple litters.
Things I find odd, but that are not necessarily red flags:
- No copyright mark on the site.
- No date on the site - it mentions Covid, but that's as recent as it gets. This does mean that the puppies listed may not be the puppies available. It may mean that no puppies are available at the moment (in which case, why list 4 or 5 of them?).
- They insist they're not in any way associated with other breeders/companies with similar/identical names. They seem particularly keen to distance themselves from one in Florida.
- Different pages of the site have different styles, fonts, etc.
- A map of the address, but not the actual address
Many states in the US forbid the sale of puppies under 8 weeks; even entertaining the possibility of selling younger puppies is a huge huge red flag. I personally prefer to see toy breeds going out at 10-12 weeks due to the high risk of hypoglycemia in tiny puppies.
I also think kennels that have been in business for 30+ years need to be checked out as though they are new kennels. There's a good chance the original owner has reached an age where they are (or should be) doing succession planning, and the transition can sometimes change the direction of the program.
I also think kennels that have been in business for 30+ years need to be checked out as though they are new kennels. There's a good chance the original owner has reached an age where they are (or should be) doing succession planning, and the transition can sometimes change the direction of the program.
Thank you very much for your time and expertise. Appreciate that you care.
Do you mean, would you be able to talk them down on price the way you'd negotiate with a car salesman? Not normally with the kind of breeder you would want to deal with. First, they have put a lot of money and effort into acquiring good quality dogs, entering shows, vet care and genetic screenings, and caring for the puppies. They aren't making a huge profit on a $3000 puppy, and they may even be insulted if you ask. Second, a good breeder is concerned about the kind of home a puppy will go into. If you can't afford a $3000 puppy, can you afford a $3000 vet bill?
I thought this would be the case. Good breeders do have a lot of time and money in the puppy. This was a question my son ask me and I appreciate you explaining the situation. The health of the puppy is the most important factor. Thanks
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