Breeding Chihuahuas: A Practical Guide

If breeding Chihuahuas is on your mind, there are several points worth weighing before you even bring a dog home.

Ask yourself whether you want to do it “just for fun, a one time deal,“ or whether you are serious about becoming a professional breeder.

Professional Breeder

Professional breeders plan to stay in business for a decade or longer. Building a name takes time, and proving the quality of your dogs takes even longer.

If you decide to breed professionally, invest in high-quality stock. Your breeding pairs should have solid lineages and excellent health records.

Don’t expect breeding to be something you can make a living from; treat it more as a side business. It is a side business that carries a great deal of responsibility and deserves to be taken seriously.

The current fad is for the very small, or toy, Chihuahua. They have grown popular as celebrity women (and men) have been seen carrying them in a purse or bag. As a rule, though, these tiny Chihuahuas are not very healthy, and most ethical breeders will not breed their dogs specifically for this purpose. Every professional breeder will occasionally find a “runt of the litter” at this size, but breeding these “runts” is considered highly risky and unethical.

Making “huge amounts of money” from this business is highly unlikely. On the other hand, it offers a great deal of personal satisfaction and the chance to meet many other breeders and Chihuahua lovers.

Issues To Consider

Knowing about the hereditary problems that can affect the breed is essential when you consider breeding Chihuahuas, so breed accordingly. Never breed two dogs with dominant health issues, no matter how “cute” or “outgoing” they are.

When you are ready to mate your dog, you can approach a Chihuahua breeder to find a good match. For a fee, these people will pair you with a dog of the opposite gender for breeding purposes. This is not breeding Chihuahuas for a living, but simply a way to make some money from your pet.

Male and female dogs should share similar temperaments. They should compensate for each other’s flaws, and every Chihuahua has flaws, so be willing to admit yours does and choose a mate carefully! If you have a female dog, be prepared to pay a stud fee, since you will receive all of the proceeds from the litter (minus the Chihuahua breeder’s fee). Stud fees can range from $500 to $1500. You can choose to breed your dog when she is in heat or use artificial insemination; either way, all of this is arranged in advance.

Do It The Right Way

Dog breeders, whether of Chihuahuas or any other breed, who get into it only for the money are inclined to mistreat the dog, which can lead to very sad and serious consequences down the road.

Probably the most important factor in breeding Chihuahuas is the dog’s temperament. Placing the right dog with the right family is the key to being an ethical Chihuahua breeder.

Go from breeding Chihuahuas to Chihuahua breeder