There are many good and ethical breeders out there...I consider myself to be one of them :-) Some advice on the next time around, and I have given this advice several times.
First, the breeder should focus on one breed! I can envision someone equally loving two breeds, but anymore than that is a puppy mill! There is no way a person can become experts in so many different breeds. An ethical breeder will raise only one (two???) breed and will seek to become an expert in that breed and will breed for the betterment of the breed...that is to try to get as close to breed standards as possible. They do not breed for money! (that doesn't mean they give the pups away for free...just means they are not making a living at raising pups) An ethical breeder will allow you to see where the pup is being raised. It is important that you be able to see the environment in which your pup lives. Those who refuse to allow you access should lead to the question "what do they have to hide?" I strongly disagree with those breeders who say they only allow a person to see the pup they are interested in because they don't want to chance the other pups catching something. Dogs are not that fragile! With reasonable precautions, there is no reason a person should not be able to see the entire litter after the 4th or 5th week. An ethical Chihuahua breeder will not allow a pup to leave until it is at least 8 and preferably 12 weeks old. An ethical breeder will have the mother on premises and you should be able to see her. If the father is on premises, you should be able to see him to. Remember, sometimes the father is not around, as a stud service is used. If the father is not on premises, ask for contact info on the owner of the father. If possible, try to see him to. An ethical breeder will want to know as much about you as you want to know about them! We want to know that our puppies are going to good homes. Finally, if something don't seem right....trust your instincts! Walk away. Hope this helps. :-) Better luck in the future Marsha ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tosha" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, February 13, 2006 6:44 PM Subject: [Chihuahuas] Advise and help > Hello! I got my first Chi puppy in November. Unfortuantly he had a > liver shunt. He passes away 3 days ago. I found that I got him from > what is called a puppy mill.The guy offered to take him back and give > me another puppy. But was gonna put my baby down. I didn't accept. I > didn't know anything about puppy mills. I am looking to purchase a new > Chi puppy. If you could give me advise or direct me in the right > direction. please. I don't want to breed. I just want to love and care > for it as I did my lil angel.Thanks so much. > > > > > > " Lets talk about our wonderful little friends! > Join today! " > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > " Lets talk about our wonderful little friends! Join today! " Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chihuahuas/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
