Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi..my name is Brittany, I'm 17 years old and I live in Omaha, Nebraska. I'm actually moving to Sioux Falls, SD to live with my father in a few weeks. I've had dogs in the past, but nothing breed specific...except right now my mom and step-dad (who I currently live with) have Lucy, our female basset hound.

Anyways, In a few weeks I'm getting a female chihuahua from a breeder in Texas, she is CKC registered. I plan on getting a tiny male later this year. I LOVE chihuahuas, they are by far my favorite breed. I want to eventually get into showing chi's. Obviously I'm planning to breed chihuahuas, I've already done research on chihuahua genetics and breeding, but I haven't really got the genetics down. I breed fancy rats and I know all their genetics by heart, and that was easy to learn, but chihuahuas have me stumped. If anyone here breeds chihuahuas or knows chi genetics I'd love to hear what genetics info you can give me. I'm really excited to learn! I love genetics.

If they are CKC registered you cannot show them. AKC is the only registry that has shows.

My advise is save your money, get a good dog from an AKC breeder and then get into showing.

The problem with CKC is that they will register ANYTHING, purebred or not. If the dog looks in a picture like the breed you say it is, they will register it for that breed, but that doesn't mean it's purebred, i.e. if a dog looks like a lab they will register it as a lab, even though it may be part lab and part anything else.

Any reputable AKC breeder will steer you away from CKC registered dogs, imho. And remember, just because a dog is registed with AKC does not mean it is breeding quality. The best way to find out if it is, is to show the dog.
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Joan
Responsible Breeders spay/neuter Pet puppies.
Statistically, the average breeder remains in a breed for five years. The mark you leave on that breed, good or bad, is entirely up to YOU!

Well, plans changed...I'm moving into an apartment that doesn't allow dogs . But it's only temporary, probably for the next 2-3 months, so once I move out I'll get an AKC chi. I knew CKC didn't have shows, but I just fell in love with the little one I found. I'm not getting it anyways, and I'm moving to South Dakota and there's an AKC breeder about 2 hours away from me. She's going to help me get started as a breeder since she has experience and I don't. I'm still looking for chihuahua genetics information, but no luck. Thanks for the info.

Good choice, finding a mentor and getting the best you can!

Congrats. I wish you much success! Remember learn ALL you can from this breeder who is willing to teach you. The information you get from her will be invaluable. I don't know what I would do without my mentor. Even after all these years she still has things to teach me.

As to genetics... The Genetics of the Dog is a good book... a bit hard to follow at times, but has some good information. The author's name is Lyons I believe. Try that one to start with.
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Joan
Responsible Breeders spay/neuter Pet puppies.
Statistically, the average breeder remains in a breed for five years. The mark you leave on that breed, good or bad, is entirely up to YOU!

Make sure that breeder is a good breeder. AKC means about nothing. Any oaf can breed AKC dogs. You want to find a good AKC breeder if you want to show chi's.

Go to dog shows and check out the chihuahuas at the ring. See who wins or at least does well. Ask them if they breed and if they would be intereted in letting you apprentice them. You could help handle their dogs in the ring and take care of them ringside. When you can, buy a puppy from them on a co-own. You can co-own the pick puppy and show it to its championship then have the breeders select the mate. Its the best way to go.

CKC does not do shows, you said you were planning on showing? You will be very disapointed if you buy a CKC reg. chi. and intend to show.