i am looking for a mate for my 2 little chihuahua`s. both are due their second heat about july. there is about 3 weeks difference in age. both are long-haired. pixie is black and red, tia is sandin colour. they both weigh just on 4lb each. i have owned a dog grooming parlour for the past 25yrs and realize i may need to travel for the right little dog. any response would be appreciated as you cost etc.this will be my first litter hopefuly of this fantastic little breed and i am so looking forward to it. i haven`t had puppies in the house since 1992 when i had my 2 shih tzu`s.  i lost them last year age 15. i can be contacted by e-mail                     weepawstia@yahoo.co.uk

I would suggest joining the bred club for your breed in order to do some reserch onsuitable dogs through their publications and by attendign theier shows.  If reputable and knowledgeable the breeders of your bitches are best placed to advise you.  Breeding toy breeds is not easy as they can have diffficulties not encountered with more normal sized canines.  For example hypoglycaemia can occur and pups are even worse at regulating their body temperature than other pups.  Also increased risks of C sections and mating problems due to the relative large size of pups comprared to adult size.

There is a lot to learn and not too much time if you are thinking of July.

Have a look on the breeders page of this site and contact some of them.  Don't think I've ever seen a black and red, what does it look like?  I don't think that this breed is tested for any health prob's.  but looking at some around at the moment I wd. say that they may have problems with hips and elbows.

You need to make sure that you go to someone with a good name in the breed who knows what they are doing and who will give you an unbiased opinion about your dogs.