Smuckers says PLEASE, THINK, THINK and THINK AGAIN: Are you SURE you want to breed Chihuahuas? Plenty of Reasons Not to Breed Dogs in Need There are plenty of reasons to to start breeding chihuahuas. First and foremost, there are too many helpless, homeless, abandoned or imprisioned in breeding mills chihuahuas who need to be adopted! Expenses for Breeding Dogs Expense is a major factor in dog breeding, especially with Chihuahuas. Besides the usual concerns, Chihuahuas have a high incidence of C-Sections because their heads are large in proportion to their bodies. This makes natural delievery difficult, sometimes risky and frequently impossible. Breeding is not a money-making venture, or a hobby. For more information about the expected (and unexpected) expenses of breeding, visit Costs of Whelping a Litter by Jane Johnson. Breeding Concerns           Disease               Before breeding, every dog should be tested for Brucellosis. This bacterial (Brucella canis) infection, is found throughout the world. It is spread by contact during mating or infected discharge. Infection sometimes leads to abortion or early death of infected puppies, infection of spinal discs and/or eye inflammation. In males it can lead to atrophy of the testes.          Hereditary Diseases                   Patella luxation: knee caps slide in and out of place. Collapsed trachea: cartilage rings that make up the trachea are malformed and tend to collapse easily. Hydrocephalus: abnormal accumulation of fluid in the ventricles of the brain. Glaucoma: abnormally high pressure in the eye. Hypoglycemia: abnormally low blood glucose. Hypothyroidism: abnormally low amount of thyroid hormones. Mitral valve defects: abnormalities of the mitral valve of the heart. Pulmonic stenosis: one of the valves of the heart does not open properly. Much to Learn The Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) in the USA registers dogs that are found to be clear of eye problems by a board certified (AVCO) veterinarian. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) was established in 1966 assist breeders in addressing hip dysplasia. Their site includes links to databases about Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Autoimmune Thyroiditis, Congenital Cardiac Disease, and Patella Luxation. An excellent Checklist by Jane Johnson. Rescued Dog Arlene Pace Also Read: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, in the Mills of Missouri Author: Robin Pressnall, President, Small Paws Rescue Tulsa, Oklahoma Posted with Permission Animal All Bird Cat Dog Horse Pig Rabbit Reptile Small&Furry Breed Zip Code My Views? AKC News SENATE FARM BILL DEADLOCKED: PUPPY PROTECTION ACT ON HOLD Support the Puppy Mill Protection Act S. 1478 and H.R. 3058 to Crack Down on Puppy Mills ASPCA Legislative Action Center The Humane Society of the United States, Puppy Mill Fact Sheet Santorum-Durbin Amendment to the Farm Bill, S. 1478 Puppy Protection Act The Humane Society of the United States Save the Puppy Protection Act News Link to Small Paws Rescue The Myths and Facts of Spaying and Neutering A PETsMART Staff Report Canadian Chihuahua Rescue & Transport Wee Widdle Ones Chihuahua and Pug Rescue, Inc. Hearts United for Animals Pet Guardian Angels of AmericaTM Link to Small Paws Rescue Central Virginia Chihuahua Club Chi-Hope Rescue Rescue Organizations List at InfoDog.com Site Index
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