Tips For Choosing A Chihuahua Puppy
When shopping around for a Chihuahua puppy, there are certain things to consider, just like with any other breed. The first thing you need to do is get familiar with the breed. Do your homework and know exactly what you are getting into before you buy. Once you feel comfortable with the possibility of owning a Chihuahua, you can then begin your search. Here are some tips for choosing a Chihuahua puppy.
Where To Find One
Obviously, the first thing you are going to have to decide is where to buy your puppy. Many people turn to the ease and convenience of pet stores. If you're serious about getting a healthy and well-mannered dog, you should forget that idea right away. Even though the puppies available are cute and seem healthy enough, many times they are purchased from breeders who care nothing for the health and quality of the dog. They are in it for no other reason than to make a profit. You should buy you Chihuahua directly from a responsible and trusted breeder.
There are certain things that a good breeder will do to separate themselves from the pack. First of all, they will not breed unhealthy dogs with one another. They will also be able to show you health records to prove it. A good breeder will also be able to trace the family line of each parent for several generations. They will also let you spend time with the parents of the litter to give you an idea of the quality and mannerisms of the puppies. Most importantly, they will also be happy to provide you with references of previous customers. Take some time to contact these people and find out about their experiences with each particular breeder.
Choosing A Puppy
Once you've found a breeder that you are comfortable with, it's time to choose your Chihuahua puppy. Each different breed has certain things you should be looking for and certain things you should avoid. It's a little more involved than just picking up the first puppy you see and running out of there. Each individual dog has a different personality, and some will match yours better than others. Take into consideration what kind of personality you have. This will determine which Chihuahua personality will be easiest for you to train. If you're kind of laid back, then you probably shouldn't choose a puppy with an assertive personality. In most cases, you should try to choose a puppy that is somewhere in between assertive and submissive. This type of dog will suit most personalities. A good breeder will be able to help you determine which puppy best fits your personality.
The health of the dog is the next thing to consider. If you've chosen a good breeder, this should not be an issue. Any breeder that cares about the well-being of the dogs, as well as their reputation, would not willingly sell you an unhealthy puppy. There are, however, certain things to look for. The best indicator of a healthy Chihuahua puppy is whether or not the dog is clean. Obviously, a healthy dog will not be coughing, sneezing, or vomiting. Other things to look for include, clear eyes, moist nose, white teeth and pink gums, and clean ears. The dog should not appear to be overweight either.
If you follow these tips, you should have no trouble finding a Chihuahua puppy that is healthy and well-mannered.
