Should I buy a Chihuahua online?

Question

I live in upstate New York and I want to get a Chihuahua but I don’t want to buy from a pet store and I haven’t found any in shelters or on puppyfind.com, and I can’t find any breeders in my area. I have found many websites that will ship a puppy but I am concerned that it may not be a good idea because I won’t really know what I am getting. Has anyone ever bought a Chihuahua online, and from where? Should I buy a puppy online?

Answer 1

How far would you have to travel to go & meet the breeder? Is it really out of the question if the breeder is in the same state as you?

I suppose that if it is you'd just have to go on your gut instincts about the breeder & how they present their website, how they write their emails & what they sound like when you talk to them on the phone. If you can find one who guarantees the health of their puppies ... & possibly the temperment, so much the better.

Of course there are bad people out there (puppy mills etc.) but I'm sure that there are also good people. I'd probably lean towards a breeder who also showed her animals as she would be breeding towards good type & possibly good temperment as there is no way that a snappy or irritable animal would do well in a show ring.

Good luck.

Oh - these websites list a few breeders in New York State ... are none of them near?
http://www.puppysites.com/breederByLocation_chihuahua.shtml
http://www.qualitydogs.com/Chihuahua/breeders.html

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Later - just realised you've asked two questions ....

I've also given individual website addresses for breeders in NY as answer to your other question

Answer 2

The thing with buying any kind of dog/puppy anywhere is you have to have an idea of the personality of the dog. I do not like the idea of a dog being shipped across the country. When someone adopts a baby the baby is not shipped to the new parents. The new parents go to get the baby sometimes to other states or countries. It should be that way with animals too.

Look in newspapers, keep checking local resources, or consider another kind of puppy. It is very important to wait for the right puppy so some innocent puppy does not end up unwanted.

If you really have your heart set on a chihuhua and want to purchase online then I urge you to take the time to go and pick up the dog.

Chihuahuas are very special puppies. I have owned many of them and right now I live with four of them.

Answer 3

I can understand that you want a cute companion, but buying a teacup chihuahua online is asking for trouble, in my opinion. 'Teacup' is not a breed (it is not even recognised by the American Kennel Club) but is just a pup that is smaller than most, probably a trait passed on from both it's parents. What people don't realise is that to breed a dog that is abnormally small, so-called breeders will often inbreed, (ie breed brother to sister or father to daughter,) to ensure the trait is passed on (unfortunately, others that are undesirable often are, too.) Because of this, these pups often have problems such as heart defects that require life-long treatment and can sometimes be fatal. Don't go for a 'teacup' puppy, I implore you. Isn't a chihuahua a small enough dog? Even full grown, you can pick them up and carry them, if needed. Try the shelters first, to give a deserving dog a second chance, before you try looking for responsible breeders, to find one has the well-being of his animals in mind, not his profits. The best of luck!

Answer 4

It is unwise to buy a pup that you cannot see and hold, see where and how it is raised, meet the breeder and see what they are like. I do not recommend shipping a chi pup at all. I have never done it and never will. I would keep looking until I can find a local breeder. Good luck.

Many people who sell dogs online sell sick pups. They are banking on the fact that by selling to buyers out of state that even if the pup gets sick and dies, that it won't be worth it to the buyer to go after the seller in court. You have to sue them where the puppy came from, going back and forth to file papers, then for the court case. Then in the end all you would win in court is the cost of the puppy.

Answer 5

I would not buy an animal online -- other than fish. You don't know the personality -- it may not be the one you would've picked had you been there in person.

I would research when there is a dog show in your area. You meet a lot of breeders there, and may be able to find something there. Also, purchase a copy of Dogs -- I *think* it's an annual publication that lists tons of breeders for most breeds. Now I'm in Canada, so I don't know if it's a Cdn. publication or if the AKC puts one out as well.

Purebreds aren't cheap, so no, I would not go the online route.

Answer 6

No not a good idea they could rip off your money and never see the dog. Look in the newspaper we have got our two chiuahuas out of the want ads. Call them and go look at the dog and make sure they have had there first round of shots, also the peoples address and phone number for the vets info. Also get the dogs list of favorite things to eat.good luck!

Answer 7

You'd be wise to make sure there's a money-back guarantee included which gives you time to take your puppy to a vet of your choice for a health check. You're not seeing either the dam or sire, nor are you able to check out the condition or temperaments of the puppies, so unless this is a reputable breeder, you need to be very cautious.

Answer 8

I'm really surprised you havent found a breeder around you. i'm not questioning your searching abilities, but have you tried doing searches for "chihuahua breeders in new york"? I had to really dig to find a breeder near me so keep trying. if you cant find one, i personally wouldnt want to buy a chihuahua online, but if it's your only choice then go for it!

Answer 9

i personally wouldn't i got my puppy last week and i waited for more than 6 months before i found him so i'd say wait you'll prob find one when it's time , you have to be careful online some ppl out there will act as if they are gonna send you a dog just to get the money for shipping so becareful

Answer 10

I know how u feel... i want a chihuahua soooo bad 2 so i called around some places and they said 2 go 2 www.petfinder.com so i did and i cant wait 2 get a chihuahua!