Finding a reputable Chihuahua breeder: what to look for when you choose
As the world's smallest companion dog, the Chihuahua wins people over with its charming, graceful and cheeky nature. With a shoulder height of 18 to 23 cm and a weight of 1 to 3 kg, this brave and extremely loyal dog has an astonishing life expectancy of 14 to 17 years. To give your future companion the best chance of living those many years as free of health problems as possible, choosing a responsible Chihuahua breeder is crucial.
Because of their tiny size and characteristic round head shape, Chihuahuas carry breed-typical risks affecting breathing, knees, eyes and heart. Puppy mills often cater to the trend for ever smaller dogs with extremely round heads and very short noses. This encourages serious neurological problems such as hydrocephalus (water on the brain) as well as Chiari-like malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM), where the brain doesn't have enough room in a skull that's too small. A health-focused breeder strictly avoids extreme miniaturization and, when choosing breeding dogs, pays specific attention to a healthy skull shape, closed fontanelles and open airways.
