The Chihuahua is often considered a relatively healthy breed. This may have been true prior to the most recent surge in popularity, and it still may be true of many well-bred lines of Chihuahuas. However, today the average Chihuahua has at least as many genetic diseases and chronic disorders as most other breeds.
Conscientious breeders are working to lower the numbers of dogs suffering from disease—particularly those diseases that have been proven to be hereditary. They test for these diseases and only breed dogs that have been certified free of them. All other dogs are altered so they can’t perpetuate serious health problems within the breed.
Diseases for which there are tests and for which the Chihuahua has a higher predisposition to be affected by than the general dog population include luxating patellas, elbow and hip dysplasia, multiple eye diseases, and heart disease. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) keeps records on tests results for luxating patellas, elbow and hip dysplasia, and heart disease. The Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) maintains records for eye diseases. (Dogs need to be tested annually for CERF; only one test result is required for OFA if the dog is twenty-four months or older).
Not all diseases have tests that can determine if a dog has a disease or is carrying it. For these diseases—and for those that affect the Chihuahua but there is no proof that it is genetic in nature—a dedicated breeder will track the occurrence in his lines. Diseases or conditions that fall into this category would include epilepsy and collapsed trachea.
Contracts and Health Guarantees
Almost all breeders—with the exception of backyard breeders—have some sort of contract for their puppy buyers, which contains a health guarantee. If you’re working with a reputable breeder and are buying a pet-quality dog or one that is not going to be shown, the breeder’s contract will stipulate that the puppy is altered and is not to be bred—ever.
The breeder can accomplish this in one of several ways. He can hold the puppy’s registration until you send proof that you’ve altered the puppy (a notice from your veterinarian), or he may give you a limited registration for your puppy. A limited registration is just that: limited. If the dog is ever bred, the AKC will not allow registration of those puppies. Since most people want to buy AKC-registerable puppies, this squashes any ideas of breeding the Chihuahua.
Another approach that breeders can take is to make sure that the puppy is altered before you pick her up. The latest research indicates that no problems are associated with altering male puppies as young as seven weeks, though it is now recommended that female puppies not be spayed until they have reached twelve weeks. All of this is contingent upon the health and vigor of the individual puppy at the time.
If a breeder uses any registry other than the AKC, the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC—not to be confused with the Continental Kennel Club) or the FCI (an international registry), it is highly likely that the puppies are not registerable with the AKC. Watch out. You’re not dealing with a quality breeder, and it could well be that you’re not dealing with a purebred Chihuahua, either.
The health contract is designed to protect you. It guarantees that the puppy does not have any serious diseases at the time of sale. You have between twenty-four and seventy-two hours to have this confirmed by your veterinarian. If your puppy tests positive for a dreaded disease or has a serious pre-existing condition, you generally have the option of returning the puppy and have your money returned to you or exchanging the sick puppy for a healthy one.
Some breeders go even further and guarantee that their puppies are free from hereditary diseases. This may or may not be limited in years. A very few breeders even provide a buyer with the option of returning the puppy and receiving another pup if the Chihuahua is found to suffer from a genetic-based disease at any time in her life.
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