What the Pet Store Never Tells You
  1. Is the chihuahua registered?
    This is so important to know, especially if you plan on breeding your chihuahua. In order to breed (at least legally and to be able to charge a reasonable price) your chihuahua will need to have a geneological record through a registration. Although it is somewhat expensive to buy his/her records, it is well worth it.
  2. Are the chihuahua's teeth in?
    So many chihuahua get double canines, have underbites, and have teeth that come in miserabily crooked to the point they end up in their upper lip! This is not a joke...although this may sound silly to the breeder/pet owner, ask to check the puppy's teeth before making a final decision on purchasing him/her.
  3. Does the chihuahua have luxated patellas?
    Again, this is so common in chihuahuas and is VERY expensive to repair. Surgery for luxated patellas ranges from $1000-$3000 (maybe more than what you paid for the actual dog) and is very painful for them. Breeders should not be breeding chihuahuas with this disorder and pet owners should not be selling chihuahuas with it either!
  4. Where did the chihuahua come from?
    Despite whether or not the chihuahua is registere, you will want to know where exactly the pet store got your chihuahua. If your chihuahua came from a breeder, you may want to investigate what type of breeder he/she is and to see if there are any online reviews.
  5. How long has the puppy been in the pet store?
    You will want to know how long your puppy has been in the pet store. If he/she has been in the pet store several months in a cage alone, you may want to consider quick socialization intervention. You will also know that your puppy is going to need a strict potty training plan if the pet store does not take the dogs out to go to the bathroom.
  6. What type of food has the pet store been feeding your new puppy?
    You will want to know this because switching food brands can often be upsetting to your puppy's digestive system. You will also want to have a "heads up" of possible upset stomach if you are switching foods. This is normal for a few days, but if symptoms persist you may want to give your vet a call.