Dear Puppy Buyer,

- Written By

A while ago, you called me inquiring about the possibility of purchasing a Chihuahua puppy. I did not have anything immediately available and was in the middle of dinner, but I spent over an hour on the telephone with you anyway, hoping that I could at least assist you in your search for a puppy, in part by educating you to the ins and outs of purchasing a Chihuahua. We talked about the importance of tested parents. We talked about the molera and eye problems, hip dysplasia and bad patellas. We talked about proper veterinary care of the parents and socialization of the puppies. We talked about puppy mills, pet stores and brokers. I told you what each was and why to avoid them. I referred you to several websites in order to help further your knowledge.

We talked about the importance of buying from a reputable breeder and the concept of "buying your breeder" first. We talked about not buying a puppy in haste and the importance of packing a boatload of patience and waiting until a puppy from a reputable breeder was available.

We talked about registries. I told you the differences between the reputable, valid registries and the worthless ones designed to fool the foolish and aid and abet puppy mills. We talked about show quality vs. pet quality puppies and restricted and unrestricted pedigrees. I referred you to the National Clubs' websites so you could not only learn more about the breed, but see lists of breeders as well as lists of people expelled for unethical breeding practices.

We talked about dog shows and which ones were coming up that you could attend to meet breeders and owners and see lots of beautiful Chihuahuas. We even set a date and time for you to come to the house and visit with me and my dogs, even though I had no puppies to sell you.

You were affable and agreeable and I hung up the phone hoping that I had at least put you on the right track to finding a Chihuahua puppy that would become a wonderful addition to your family.

I did wonder why you never came over my house as we'd planned.

Now, a few short weeks later I find an email from you in my email box and you want my help again. I see you already bought your first Chihuahua puppy-- from a person advertising on one of the "Puppies for Sale" internet sites. Wow! I see that he's an import! I enjoyed very much seeing his picture, but I'm not quite sure if he's a brindle, or even if he is a purebred Chihuahua--as he has some distinct resemblence to another breed. How nice of the breeder to meet you in the parking lot of the local mall rather than having you drive ALL the way to the breeder's house to get the puppy. You say that your veterinarian tells you he had luxating patellas and he believes he hears an audible heart murmur. I'm so sorry that he also has something wrong with his eyes. All that compounded with the fact that he hides under the furniture most of every day, you cannot get any registration papers that you were promised and the nice breeder you bought him from has cashed your check and will no longer return your phone calls.

I have no assistance to offer you at this point other than a reality check. Despite my previous attempt, you failed to listen to anything I said. So, I hope you listen now. You have the Chihuahua puppy you bought. You will never receive your registration papers, those ones you were promised. You will never receive the health clearances of the parents, no matter how many phone calls you make because they are non-existent. You have no prayer of getting any of your money back--even if you go to court. The puppy you purchased was probably one of many that this kind, sweet person imports on a regular basis from foreign countries for resale in the U.S. The puppy you purchased was most likely ripped from his mom at 5 weeks of age to be shipped over to this nice person by 6 weeks of age and to top it off this nice person even told you that puppies from foreign countries don't have the health problems that Chihuahua do in the States. Wrong! You didn't listen before so I hope you hear me now. This person didn't and doesn't care a rat's patoot about the puppy you purchased, your feelings, or your present dilemma, you've been robbed. This person cared about one thing and one thing only; your wallet. I'll even go so far as to say that I bet this person told you they would only accept cash, credit or a certified check. The very slight or almost non-existent difference between the price you paid for this puppy as compared to a well bred one from a reputable breeder is probably wiped out by the vet bills you have already incurred and will continue to incur.

Congratulations again on the puppy you have purchased. Hold him close and love him well. Your money will be used to insure another puppy just like him, will be sold to another impulse buyer....Offer him as high a quality of life as you can afford. Hopefully, it will help make up for the lack of quantity of life and the pain he is probably going to have to endure for much of his life due to his poor breeding .

Sincerely , A REAL Breeder