I am not a shower, but I am a breeder, and I second your opinion. I try to stick to standards, but the health and welfare of my babies come first and foremost! Marsha
----- Original Message ----- From: Anne To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, December 11, 2006 10:25 PM Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Re: Question for Chihuahua breeders > this out. So....I will probably go check out the pups when they're > a few weeks old. Any suggestions on when I should check them out > and what I should look for? I would generally look for chihuahua genetic disorders such as easily dislocating patellas, hydrocephalus, collapsing trachea and so on . . . if the puppy will play vigorously, that's a good sign on all fronts. But still, I would want a health guarantee, and I'd take your pup to be examined by a vet who's knowledgeable of the situation immediately. I really do 100% agree with breeding dogs to the AKC standard. If there aren't ethical, careful breeders out there who only breed to exacting standards, then people who want a chihuahua puppy have no choice but backyard breeders or puppymills. That said, even under the AKC standards, I think the breeder should always hold the welfare of the dogs above all else. IMO, that means not breeding the mom too frequently, or if she has trouble delivering, not breeding her, period. And that means that the pups' genetic welfare and health is more important than producing a particular appearance trait that might fare well in the show ring. So to me, line breeding isn't worth the risk to the pups. But then I'm neither a breeder nor a shower, so my perceptions are biased. Anne
