Hi

I have two CKCS's at the moment and have been looking for a smoothcoat chihuahua bitch for a while that I might be able to show in the future (wanted to show the CKCS's but they're not the right temperament unfortunately).

I was looking at the breed standard which states that the breed should be up to 6lbs in weight but the more diminutive the better and preferably between 2-4lbs. The chi's I've seen out and about (haven't had the chance to go to a breed show yet but that's next on my list!) seem to have been on the larger side. I would like a smaller dog but obviously I don't want such a teeny tiny dog that may have health problems. I've been to a chi forum and people were being shouted at left right and centre when they were asking about 2lb dogs and calling them teacups. I realise that teacups don't exist but if the breed standard states a dog can be from 2lbs surely that doesn't make it a runt?

Sorry to be so long-winded I just want to make sure that when I approach breeders I'm asking the right questions and they don't think I'm after a runt!

Regards

Canine Chic

If you don't want to upset a reputable breeder then just ask for a 'show standard' dog. 'Teacup' isn't about runts...its about breeding simply for size often with disregard for other issues such as health and conformation in order to supply a new 'fad'.
Archer

Hi

Thanks for your response.

I appreciate that teacup isn't about runts, I was simply pointing out that I have heard people refer to 2lb dogs as teacups and others state that dogs of this size are runts.I was querying this because of the size quoted within the breed standard. Surely there can't be dogs smaller than this?
I would never ask for a teacup but I am concerned that by asking for a smaller dog breeders may assume I'm after a fashion accessory.

Regards

Canine Chic

Hi
I would spend some time observing dogs in the ring ...find the ones you like and then look in the catalogue at their breeding.Are they from the same breeder? Do they have the same sire? If you can establish who is breeding the type/size you like then approach that breeder and ask for a show quality pup saying you prefer your chi's to be nearer the lower end of the breed standard weight
Archer

Hi
I have kept and bred Longcoat Chihuahuas for almost 27 years now, and to my horror have watched the breed getting larger here in the UK. In the US they have got very big, and thats why some breeders over there have been trying to get them small again, and call them teacups. Whereas teacups are really the correct size for Chihuahuas. Yes the more diminutive preferred. I try to breed small yet healthy pups, as do many reputable breeders in the UK. I much prefer the real tinies, because that is how the breed is supposed to be. Unfortunately some UK breeders have found their chis getting bigger, and they are asking for the size to be altered in the breed standard. To me that would be totally wrong, as they are meant to be the smallest dog in the world. Small does not mean unhealthy, if breeding is done correctly. No two pounds is not a runt, Chihuahuas are supposed to be small. I would never breed from a tiny two pound girl though, as they have enough problems when whelping as it is.
There is a massive shortage of Chihuahuas so you will need to go on the waiting list of a reputable breeder. I suggest you contact the British Chihuahua Club for a list of names.

thats the trouble though i feel, if you cant breed from the tiny girls i guess thats why the breed is getting bigger.

sara1bee, in a way you're right, but with Chis it's like that...... they prefer the females to be slightly bigger (still within standard) and studs to be a bit smaller. My boy is 1,8kg and just the right size if you ask me. However for a female I'd want at least a 2kg one to breed from. Chis are one of the smallest breeds (though there's another breed just as small called prazsky krysarik) but they should be healthy no matter what size they are. Term teacup Chihuahua unfortunately comes from unreputable breeders that breed purely for money and not for health or standard. Chi is a Chi and nowhere in FCI (KC or AKC) standard that term is actually used. If you see someone advertising tea-cups, run as far away as you can. Well actually, don't respond to anyone advertising his litters..... good breeders don't have to advertise ;)!
Oh and I'm not here to judge, as there are many, many good breeders in US, but I have never seen so many scams as I have in US. You wouldn't believe what they would advertise and sell under the name Chihuahua. Dogs that are no way connected to the breed :rolleyes:...... I reckon the problem lies in the fact that they're allowed to sell puppies in Pet Stores and there's no way you can see parents or the breeder himself. A person I know lived in New York for a while and bought a Pet Store Chi that was growing and growing and today he's about 5 kg!!! She paid 1000$ for him!!

A person I know lived in New York for a while and bought a Pet Store Chi that was growing and growing and today he's about 5 kg!!! She paid 1000$ for him!!

Presumably that was dirt cheap for the US though, especially for a pet shop, as a Cavalier from any reputable breeder even as a pet will set people back around $2000 in the US.

You would think so, but it's not really ;) ..... it's the reputable breeders that sell their Chihuahuas for around 700 - 1500$ and all the so called back-yard breeders that sell it for 2000 - 12.000$!!! They are the ones that advertise tea-cups in the first place. Usually the pups are not even AKC registered......
Average Chi from a good breeder in US is cheaper than the European ones for some reason.

Hi

Thanks everyone. I think I'll pop along to a few shows and check out the type of chi's I like and then speak to the breeders.

Does anyone have any idea of the average sort of price for a KC registered Smoothcoat bitch? Or does it very much depend on the breeder?

Regards

Canine Chic