"Chihuahuas Rule ! "   Yes, here they do. !!!!   And, that is why I only concentrate on one breed.

There is a lot to consider when raising puppies and it is not as easy as some think it is. First, you have to be able to honestly evaluate your breeding stock and know and understand the good and bad points in your breed. Everyone interprets the breed standard in their own way and see things differently. If we didn't.... we'd have a breed that looked like clones .

We all have particular points we like and breed for. But,  it is easy to become "kennel blind" and think all your dogs are perfect. If, you cannot see the faults or lesser desirable attributes of your dogs.... you are not breeding for the betterment of your breed.

It is most important to carefully study your breeds anatomy and learn what the good and bad points are. Most importantly, learn what the biggest hereditary problems are and know how to recognize them. There are often different problems in different bloodlines ( and individual breeds)  and your goal should be to breed to improve the faults of your dog,( as long as they are just minor)  with one that has the attributes to overcome this. But, this won't make a perfect litter as each pup gets different things from the parents and each pup in a litter has its own attributes and faults.

I don't believe there is the " perfect dog", in any breed, but anyone that breeds for a litter should know the faults in their dogs and if they can be improved. Be sure you know the mate that can overcome the minor faults. Serious problems cannot be overcome and that dog should never be bred, as the serious congenital problems will only be passed on.   If you just breed 2 dogs that you think are cute or pretty and cannot see the faults, whether major or minor, .... you are not breeding for the improvement of the breed !!!!!   There's a lot of pretty dogs out there, with very serious congenital defects.... they will pass on. and may not show up til the puppy is older.

Most of these come from someone who has a couple dogs they think are cute and decide to breed them. The majority come from people who just don't care and just want to sell puppies to make money and haven't a clue or could care less what they are putting out there.    It is the uninformed buyer and the poor puppy that are terribly hurt by this.

A lot of times you can "get hooked" on a certain bloodline, because of the dogs you have seen from these lines. Maybe because of the many Champion showdogs they have produced.  Have you ever wondered how the rest of the litter turned out ?

  A lot of times there is only one great dog in a litter, sometimes the whole litter may do very well, as in sound body & sound mind, but, what are the chances of that ?  In most litters there are pups that are only "pet quality" and should be neutered, before breeding age. AND, they should only be in a home that wants a puppy to love & care for forever, in spite of problems they may encounter. If you can't afford the care, don't get a live pet !!!!!!

  Just go to your local shelter and see how many dogs have been dumped, because their owner wasn't  able to afford or just didn't care enough to take care of their pets problems.  What are their chances of finding a loving caring home ?   Think about it.... I recently read that the number of animals "put to sleep" each year, could be as high as 5 million, as there about that many in shelters, all over the country, at any particular time. But, it is heartbreaking to think of the millions that are abondened every year and never rescued.

I've been using the Alvarado Veterinary Clinic since the  early 80's when I had horses and some dogs, also. I am amazed at some of the "miracles" they have pulled off, and the compassion they show when they have done all that can be done  and we have to send one to the "Rainbow Bridge", which I believe in, with all my heart.

I often wonder why people think it is so easy to make a lot of money, getting a few dogs and raising puppies. THEY HAVEN'T A CLUE....  what a truly dedicated and responsible breeder goes through......... BELIEVE ME !

I also do not understand how so many of these "self proclaimed, dog lover-breeders" can take a bitch , in heavy labor and ,obviously,not able to deliver a pup .... put her in a cage and drive 3-4 hours to Oklahoma to save a few hundred bucks on a C-section.   The mother dog is stressed and in pain and by the time they get there, they could lose the mom and the pups. AND, THEY CLAIM TO LOVE THEIR DOGS.    GIVE ME A BREAK !!!

Well, I have said my piece & opinion, so I now bid you all good night , as it is quite late. I still have to take the moms out for their last potty break and put clean potty pads & water & food in the pens that need it.

The work is never done and this is a 24/7 job.... gotta love it !