Have you caught the Chihuahua bug yet? Of course, you have, or you wouldn’t be reading this! Maybe you have shared your home with one before, or perhaps you fell in love with a super-cute Chi that you met and now want one of your own. Either way, you want a Chihuahua, and you want some advice about where to go. You may feel a bit wary and unsure of who you can trust.
That’s good because it shows that you care. Buying a dog can be a minefield, fraught with pitfalls and difficulties. Sadly, many people out there are ready to rip you off or who have no interest or concern for animal welfare.
We’re here to let you know that there are good people out there who you can trust. We’ve put together a guide to the best Chihuahua breeders to help you to learn who to trust and who to avoid.You can choose any of the breeders from this guide or use the information to judge whether any other breeders in your area are safe to use.
By the time you’ve read this article, you’ll be equipped to make the right decision, and you’ll soon have your own tiny dog to care for.
So, without further delay, let’s dive in.
Are All Breeders Equal?
You probably guessed the answer to this, but it’s definitely a big fat NO.
Unethical and unscrupulous people use the fact that many of us are dog lovers. They care only about the cash and give no thought to the welfare of the parent dogs or the puppies.
Purebred dogs can demand high prices, which attracts those who think in terms of profit. And to maximize this, they cut corners wherever possible, whether it’s to do with the kennels, food, or health testing. As a result, dogs are kept in appalling conditions, fed low-quality food, and are often very unhealthy. You may buy your pup in good faith, believing it to be healthy, but genetic defects can remain undetected until they are around six months of age, sometimes older.
As a rule, you should always avoid buying pups from pet stores, backyard breeders, and anything described as a puppy mill. Pet stores not only keep their animals in tiny cages, but they also usually buy their stock cheaply from puppy mills. Backyard breeders aren’t always ‘bad’ as such, but they frequently lack the knowledge and expertise of established breeders. They also lack the means to run adequate health-testing programs.
Another method to avoid is buying online, as these are rife with scams. In many cases, the Chihuahua puppies for sale don’t really exist. And even when they do, you have no idea of the poor pup’s history, health, or parentage. Some websites will look professional and include reviews and photos of healthy-looking dogs. However, these reviews can be fake, and photos are frequently stolen from other sites.
All in all, your best bet is to find established Chihuahua breeders that have built a reputation over several years.
Here are some of the best in the US.
Florida Chihuahua Breeders
You’re spoiled for choice in the Sunshine State when it comes to Chihuahua breeders!
To start with, you have Prestige Chihuahuas and Rhodesian Ridgebacks, based in Brevard County on the eastern coast. All of its Chihuahuas are American Kennel Club (AKC) registered, and each litter is produced with the aim of creating the next generation of champion show dogs. Because of this, and because Chihuahuas have small litters of around 2 or 3 pups, you might have to wait a while for yours.
This breeder is an excellent example of what you should be looking out for. When you take a look at their website, you can immediately see that they care greatly about their dogs. Under the information tab, you’ll find all sorts of helpful stuff, including a section on how to spot a disreputable or unethical breeder.
They also explain why their prices are so high (usually between $3,000 and $4,000), pointing out that breeding is an expensive business and that Chihuahua breeders often incur a loss in real terms. For example, the majority of Chihuahua puppies are delivered via c-section, which costs at least $850 and as much as $4,000 if performed after hours. Caring for and raising these pups for up to nine weeks can cost around $3,000 per pup.
So, why do they do it? As they say on their website, it’s purely for the love of the Chihuahua breed!
Each one of their AKC Chihuahuas comes with a one-year health guarantee signed by a licensed veterinarian.
It’s clear that Prestige Chihuahuas know their stuff. You’ll find extensive information on their website about Chihuahua health problems, such as hypoglycemia or that many of these tiny dogs have a soft spot (or fontanel) on their skulls.
One section that might be of interest concerns the so-called teacup Chihuahua. Teacup dogs are usually 5lbs or under, and these little pooches have become enormously popular in recent years. However, organizations such as the AKC and the Chihuahua Club of America point out that Chihuahuas are not categorized by size. Although there are differences in size (as you’d find in any breed, or any species, for that matter), Chihuahuas are all classed as toy dogs.
Prestige Chihuahuas rightly states that many unethical breeders use the term teacup as a marketing ploy. A reputable breeder will rarely, if ever, sell smaller dogs as teacup Chihuahuas. It’s best to avoid anyone who does, as in many cases, smaller pups will grow to a normal, healthy size when they are mature. Alternatively, the pup may be a runt or is the result of despicable methods such as withholding nutrition to keep them small.
So when you see websites saying AKC Teacup Chihuahuas, alarm bells should ring, as the AKC does not recognize them as a breed!
The fact that Prestige Chihuahuas keeps you informed of all this is a good sign that they are on the level. They provide an excellent benchmark for what a reputable breeder should be!
You can follow them on Facebook, email them, or check them out online:
Website: Prestige Chihuahuas
Facebook: @Prestigechihuahuas
Email: [email protected]
Next up is Home Of Tiny Chihuahuas, situated in West Central Florida. The word ‘home’ is central to their work, as they don’t keep their dogs in kennels, choosing instead to welcome them into the home as family members.
They come across as very friendly, happy people, offering lifetime support for your new puppy. Each one also comes with a one-year health guarantee and will already be socialized, and potty trained.
The breeders use exercise pens that allow space to run and explore, as well as having a comfortable sleeping area. They include a variety of toys for stimulation, as well as allowing access to food and water and a potty pad at the far end.
As the puppies develop, they are allowed to explore the house outside of their pens. They are handled extensively by the breeder and their family, including the children and their friends, taking all necessary precautions to keep the pups safe. They also have their nails clipped to help them get used to the experience.
The breeder’s passion for Chihuahuas is evident from their website, especially in the section about dog shelters. They stress that an animal shelter or dog pound is never a good option for a Chi. It’s not ideal for any dog, but Chihuahuas tend to suffer more than others.
This is why the breeder includes an obligation to return any unwanted pups to them, should there be any problems. They also offer advice on finding a loving forever home if someone is thinking of getting rid of a Chihuahua not purchased from them.
But what really stands out is this sentence: if you are looking to add a fur baby to your family, please first consider a shelter dog.
How many other people would encourage you to go elsewhere and miss out on a potential sale because of ethical reasons?
Home of Tiny Chihuahuas also offers a wealth of advice on caring for your Chi, so be sure to check out their website.
You’ll also find their application form to start the adoption process.
Website: Home Of Tiny Chihuahuas
Long-Haired Chihuahua Breeders
If you prefer a long coat to the short, smooth-coated version, then you might want to look for a breeder who specializes in these.
For example, DS Darling Long-Hair Chihuahuas, based in Cornelius, Oregon.
This breeder is a great example as they have over 30 years of experience and treat their dogs as family members rather than keeping them in kennels.
The dogs have full-time access to a large, securely fenced backyard to ensure that they have fresh air and exercise whenever they want. They are socialized, meeting other animals, large dogs, and children, and are raised using early neurological stimulation (a method of stimulating a range of gentle stressors thought to improve stress responses in later life).
All pups are pre-spoiled, meaning that they are used to a lot of love and affection! They will be vaccinated, dewormed, and will come with a full health check, a bag of puppy food, a blanket (carrying the mother’s scent, as well as any siblings), and a deer antler for teething.
The pups will be released between the ages of 8 and 24 weeks when the breeder feels they are ready.
Prices start from around $2,250 depending on bloodline, color, size, etc.
The best way to contact them is online:
Website: DS Darling Long Hair Chihuahuas
Teacup Chihuahua Breeders
Photo from: @chihuahua_rabo
You’ll see hundreds of references to teacup dogs online, especially on sites like Pinterest, with cute photos of the tiniest dogs, sometimes actually sitting inside teacups.
All dog breeds vary in size, and some are specifically bred to qualify as standard, miniature, or toy sizes.
Chihuahuas are not separated by size as they fit comfortably in the toy category. They typically weigh between 2 and 6 pounds and measure between 6 and 9 inches in height, making them officially the smallest dog breed.
The current fashion for owning micro-pups has driven some breeders to produce smaller dogs. There’s no doubt that these are unbelievably cute, but it comes at a price. Not only will you pay more for these tiny beauties in hard-earned cash, but they are also seriously at risk of having severe health issues.
Some breeders use extremely unethical methods to produce these dogs, sometimes breeding runts together or starving pups of nutrition to stunt their growth.
Small dogs require expert care from knowledgeable breeders, and even then, it can be a risky process. Pregnancy and birth are precarious times, and mothers can suffer greatly or even die during whelping due to complications.
Teacup dogs often end up with severe health issues affecting multiple organs, especially the heart.
It is unfair, unkind, and immoral to continue to feed this demand for ever-smaller dogs, which is why the AKC and other kennel clubs or parent breed clubs do not recognize or condone teacup dogs of any kind.
When you see any breeders advertising teacup Chihuahuas, you would be advised to look elsewhere as it is generally a marketing gimmick used to justify higher prices!
And if you see AKC teacup Chihuahuas, you know for a fact that this is one to avoid. This brings us to our next point:
AKC Chihuahua Breeders
We’ve slotted this heading in here as you’ll come across it when searching online for your pup (as mentioned in the previous section).
So, what does it mean?
We know that AKC stands for the American Kennel Club, an organization that oversees breed standards for many dog breeds in the US.
Because of this, established, reputable breeders will usually adhere to the rules and regulations and will be keen to produce dogs that conform to the standards.
They will register their dogs with the AKC and allow them to inspect their kennels, usually every two years. It has become a mark of respectability to have AKC approval, especially when breeders are inducted into the AKC Breeder of Merit program.
The problem is, countless breeders include the letters AKC somewhere in their official details, either on their website or in ads selling pups. All this means is that they aim to produce dogs to the breed standards laid down by the AKC, not that they necessarily have any approval from them.
And it doesn’t end there, as any dog can be registered with the AKC. An unethical breeder can mate two poorly-bred dogs and register the resulting pups as purebred. In fairness to the AKC, they are dealing with millions of dogs, and it is impossible to police the system adequately.
However, this means that anyone can use the good name of the AKC to bring an air of quality and respectability to their dealings.
How do you know if your chosen breeder is trustworthy? Do some homework! They won’t use their connections with the American Kennel Club lightly. Read through their website thoroughly and look out for anything suspect. Follow links to the AKC and check if the breeder is listed as approved or on their breeder of merit program.
Above all, communicate with them. A real dog lover who is devoted to a particular breed will be happy to speak with you about their passion. They’ll be keen to reassure you that they are on the level and won’t mind you questioning them. After all, you both have the dog’s welfare in mind, and that’s all that matters.
Chihuahua Breeders California
If you’re located in the Sacramento area of California, then check out Honey Bee Chihuahuas. Their friendly and inviting website is a pleasure to browse and is filled with photos of their adorable pups!
There’s also a great section on caring for your Chi that’s really worth a read. It’s essential that you discover all you can about the breed before you go ahead, and this information will go a long way to helping you understand what it takes to look after these tiny dogs.
Honey Bee Chihuahuas put a lot of effort into raising the pups so they’re ready for you to take home. They stand by their commitment to producing excellence in health, temperament, and quality.
This is reflected in the price and evident from looking at the pups themselves, as they appear to be of exceptional quality. Prices range from between $3,000 and $5,000, which is perhaps on the high side, but bear in mind that breeders rarely make a profit on their dogs. They may just break even and often incur a loss. It’s all about love for the breed!
There are several ways to contact Honey Bee Chihuahuas:
Website: Honey Bee Chihuahuas
Skype: California.honeybeechihuahua
Zoom: Honey Bee Chihuahua’s
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (916) 600-9678
Chihuahua Breeders Arizona
If you’re looking for Chihuahua breeders in the Arizona area, you won’t get much better than Outwest Puppies in Phoenix!
With 40 years of experience, this family-run outfit aims to make the process of buying your precious new family member as smooth and hassle-free as possible.
The website conveys a good balance of professionalism and friendliness, with an eagerness to answer any questions or concerns you may have. It’s easy to navigate and is packed with important information to guide you through the buying process as well as caring for your pup.
There’s a section containing customer comments that’s a joy to read, as it tells of all the happy, loving homes that former Outwest puppies have found.
Each pup comes with a limited health guarantee, is up to date with any shots, and has been dewormed.
Prices average between $1,800 and $3,800 depending on the color and quality of each pup.
You can contact Outwest Puppies here:
Website: Outwest Puppies
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 623-680-9171
Texas Chihuahua Breeders
Water-Hill Kennel, based in Canton, TX, is regarded as the oldest Chihuahua breeder in the US, according to the AKC.
Since 1963, they have been perfecting the art of breeding high-quality Chihuahuas, producing companion dogs that are also show quality. Over the years, they have managed to screen out many of the usual genetic problems that affect Chihuahuas by injecting fresh genes using stud males with champion bloodlines.
Also in their favor, they raise each pup on the grounds of their extensive ranch, and no dog is ever kept in cages. The runs are large and open, allowing the dogs a lot of freedom when they aren’t exploring the ranch. Water-Hill has received praise for the cleanliness of its kennels and for the exceptional health of its dogs.
Bear in mind that this is a very small-scale operation with only a few breeding females, so they won’t always have litters available. If they don’t have any pups on offer, they are happy to recommend other AKC registered Chihuahua breeders for you to try.
Prices for Water-Hill Kennel Chihuahuas are $1,500 for males and $1,750 for females.
You can contact them here:
Address: Water-Hill Farm & Kennel
1340 VZ County Road 2502
Canton, TX 75103
Telephone: 903-848-8201
email: [email protected]
Also in Texas, you can find Chihuahuas-Wee-Love. With around 45 years of experience in all things canine (breeding, grooming, dog handling, inventing dog products, etc.), you can be sure that these breeders know exactly what they are doing!
Their website is stuffed with valuable information and advice about the Chihuahua breed and their services. There are also recommendations that potential buyers should do plenty of research into the breed before going ahead and being a responsible dog owner. The breeder reserves the right to remove the pup from any client who is found to be abusing or harming it in any way. They will also file animal cruelty charges. As they rightly state, each life is precious and does not deserve to be mistreated.
Buyers are also obligated to return a dog if they are no longer in a position to care for it or find that they don’t want it within the first year. This is non-negotiable, and the buyer cannot sell or pass the dog onto anyone, including a friend or family member, during that time.
Prices at Chihuahuas-Wee-Love start at $1,650 and rise to $2,250, depending on the size and quality of the pup. Smaller pups will probably cost more (note that they avoid using the term teacup!), but this is because they often need extra, round-the-clock care in the early stages, which can be very expensive.
Ohio Chihuahua Breeders
While some Chihuahua breeders have a more laid-back, family feel, others come across as being more professional. The latter is the case with Boehm’s Chihuahuas in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
Megan Gardner established Boehm’s Chihuahuas in 1996 and has made it her mission to strive for excellence in her breeding program, with the focus on the AKC standard Chihuahua. She is also a breed mentor for the Chihuahua Club of America.
From the start, Megan has sought to improve the breed through selection, commitment, dedication, and integrity.
This is clear from the breeder’s website, which is clean, efficient, and professional. Conformation to the AKC breed standard is obviously a priority for Megan, and each litter is produced with the aim of creating new champions. However, she only retains a few selected pups for her breeding program, and any others are sold.
All of Megan’s dogs are treated as family members and kept within the home. No dog is ever confined to kennels or kept separately. Every pup is handled constantly from birth, introduced to a range of different experiences (noises, surfaces, textures, meeting other dogs and people, etc.), and is given neurological stimulation and personality tests. They are also potty trained, leash trained, introduced to the grooming table, trained not to bite or chew, and will come when called.
Pups are vaccinated, AKC registered, and come with a one-year health guarantee, puppy food, and a toy with the mother’s scent to help them settle in quickly.
For such quality puppies, you might expect the prices to be sky-high. However, prices range from $1,200 to $2,500, which is pretty reasonable when you consider that other breeders charge between $3,000 and $4,000 for purebred Chihuahuas of the same quality.
Boehm’s Chihuahuas doesn’t release its pups until they are 12 weeks old, which is the sign of a good breeder. There is also a section on its website that stresses the point about so-called teacup Chihuahuas not being recognized or condoned by the AKC. These are already little dogs, and to purposely breed them smaller is dangerous and unethical. To sell them as a ‘rare breed’ is also underhanded, as they are no such thing.
Feel free to contact Boehm’s to see if they have any available Chihuahuas, but be aware that there is often a 6-month wait.
You can reach them here:
Website: Boehm’s Chihuahuas
Email: [email protected]
Chihuahua Breeders Virginia
Animal Haus Chihuahuas are located in Bristol, Virginia, and they deserve a mention here for several reasons.
First, they are open and honest, with a website homepage that is refreshingly frank about the service they offer and what to expect.
Second, they give good advice about scams and how to avoid them. As they say on their website, you should always exercise caution and double-check any contact details before making any payments.
Third, the owner, Robin Colley, goes to great lengths to explain his passion for Chihuahuas, what you can expect from his dogs, and the reasons behind his decisions and opinions on various aspects related to breeding Chihuahuas.
Although Rob was involved in breeding dogs for shows for many years, his focus is now on producing family pets and companions. Because of this, all of his dogs are spayed/neutered, making them ineligible for conformation shows, even though many of his pups are of show quality. In Rob’s view, all dogs deserve the chance of a loving home and family life.
Spaying and neutering not only produces a calmer, more even-tempered dog (and stops them from marking their territory!), but it also reduces the possibility of unethical people using them to make money, cashing in on the demand for small dog breeds.
Rob does not allow his pups to be shipped as he feels that the Chihuahua dog is too small and fragile to cope with traveling alone. He also believes that people deserve to see the pup in its original environment, which is the mark of a respected and reputable breeder.
All pups from Animal Haus Chihuahuas come with a written 5-year guarantee against genetic defects and are up to date with vaccinations. The breeder also provides a puppy pack, including a sample of food, coupons, a puppy-care handbook, photos charting its development, toys, a blanket, and a bag of treats! All of this is designed to make things easier for the pups as they head to their new homes. It also makes things easier for you, as the transition will go much more smoothly.
The breeder prefers initial contact to be made via this method:
Email: [email protected]
Chihuahua Breeders New York
Bella’s Little Angels, located at Great Sacandaga Lake in upstate New York, continues the tradition of real family-run Chihuahua breeders.
The owners, Don and Becky, named the business after their beloved Bella, a Chi that stole their hearts and tragically passed away after an accident at home. Each of their dogs, whether part of the breeding program or a pup to be sold, is a part of the family.
Don and Becky have experienced so much love and joy through keeping Chihuahuas that they just want to give others the opportunity to do the same.
Again, they stress that there is no such thing as a Teacup Chihuahua. You can have smooth coat Chihuahuas or long coat Chihuahuas, but these little dogs are never categorized by size. If you see Chihuahuas advertised as teacup, miniature, tiny-toy, or standard, then it’s a good reason to avoid buying from that particular seller.
Bella’s Little Angels promise that your dog will be ‘pre-spoiled,’ meaning that they’ll be showered with love, care, and affection before they reach your home. Although Don and Becky operate a local delivery service for their pups, they never ship them under any circumstances, as this can be an uncomfortable and traumatic experience for them.
All pups come with limited AKC registration and will receive their first shots. They are also sold with a spay/neuter agreement unless selling to a breeder that they have personally approved. They feel strongly about spaying and neutering, pointing out that far too many dogs are euthanized or end up in shelters because of irresponsible owners.
Prices aren’t displayed on their website at the time of writing, but you should expect to pay the average going rate of between $1,000 and $2,000. They also offer a small discount for seniors and military personnel, and their pups come with a very generous puppy-pack with around $250 worth of goods.
You can find testimonials from previous clients on their homepage, each one heaping praise on Becky and Don for their great service and perfect Chihuahuas.
You can contact them here:
Address: 77 Horse Hill Road, Hadley (Day), NY 12835-3716
Telephone: +1 518-415-8915
Website: Bella’s Little Angels
Email: [email protected]
While family-run establishments are great, some people might prefer Chihuahua breeders with a more formal and professional touch. If this is you, and you’re in the New York area, then you might want to check out Alfheim-Andromeda Chihuahuas in Rome, NY.
Their website has an air of class and sophistication, with the mantra breeding better is breeding healthier, clearly stating their mission and values.
You can find all manner of helpful information on their website, including an explanation of how they constantly keep abreast of new methods and theories about genetics. Keeping up to date with new innovations allows them to refine their breeding program without resorting to old-fashioned ideas that might produce unexpected or unwanted results.
Because of this, you might expect Alfheim-Andromeda Chihuahuas to charge more than other Chihuahua breeders, and initially, this seems to be the case, as their price range is generally between $2,800 and $4,300. But when you read about their pricing policy, you come to understand that this is pretty reasonable, considering the amount of work involved and what you’re actually getting.
For example, a Chihuahua pup from Alfheim-Andromeda includes the following:
• A lifetime health guarantee.
• AKC registration.
• Lifetime breeder support via email, Facebook, Messenger, or phone.
• Health insurance.
• Pups will be weaned onto solid foods (a few day’s worth will be sent with the pup).
• Puppy swag bag containing toys, a blanket, treats, and a custom-fit harness.
• Pups will be fully dewormed, vaccinated, and free from parasites.
• Pups will be microchipped.
• A pedigree will be provided, along with access to the parent’s health records.
• All health treatment will be recorded up to 10 weeks of age, and each pup will be checked by a veterinarian before leaving the kennel.
• Pups will have started potty training.
• Puppies can be returned to the breeder at any stage of their life, no questions asked.
All in all, that’s a pretty good deal!
Taken together, these points listed above show that the breeder has integrity and is invested in the long-term future of their pups. This isn’t about making money. It’s about caring for the breed and making sure that every dog finds a suitable home.
You can check out them out here:
Website: A and A Chihuahuas
Facebook: A & A’s Chihuahuas
E-mail: [email protected].
Alternatively, you can write them at:
P.O. Box 144
Lee Center
Rome
NY 13363
Chihuahua Breeders Georgia
Among the many Chihuahua breeders in Georgia, you’ll find Lyon’s Toys, breeder of Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahuas.
Their website is welcoming and friendly, providing all the evidence you need to see that they are honest and reputable. Pups are only released to the most loving homes under a strict spay/neuter policy.
All breeding dogs are screened for genetic defects and tested for temperament. Pups set aside for selling are classed as ‘pet quality,’ although they are equally as beautiful and loveable as any other produced for the show ring.
Trish, who runs things expertly from Hiram, GA, has a real passion for animals and spent eight years as a veterinary technician before eventually devoting her time to breeding Chihuahuas and Yorkies.
With five young children of her own, Trish is adamant that every pup must be of the right temperament to fit in with the family. To this end, she always aims to produce dogs with an exceptional disposition as her children play an important part in socializing the pups by handling and snuggling them as much as possible.
In addition, each puppy is tested to ensure that it has no genetic defects and will carry a health guarantee to that effect.
Prices at Lyons’ Toys range from between $2,000 and $4,500, and these are stated on the homepage. Some breeders seem reluctant to display prices or discuss them openly, which always raises suspicions.
Feel free to check out their website or contact Trish via email. Trish is also happy to receive calls or text messages.
Website: Lyons Toy Puppies
Email: [email protected].
Phone: (404) 319-7836.
How Much Are Chihuahuas Worth?
As we’ve seen, Chihuahuas can be expensive, with prices ranging from $800 up to $4,000 and sometimes as high as $7,000, especially for a merle Chihuahua.
It’s impossible to put an exact value on them, as each dog is different. It’s also important to remember that these are living creatures with a personality and feelings of their own. When you think about it this way, talking about their worth in monetary terms seems wrong.
However, looking at it logically and objectively, we pay good money to dog breeders for these tiny dogs, so it is wise to find out whether we are making a good investment.
A Chihuahua’s worth in terms of the love, affection, joy, and fun it brings into your life is beyond measure. But Chihuahua breeders can’t exactly price their pups according to this criteria! Each breeder has its own methods and breeding programs, and some will invest far more capital in improving bloodlines and running health screening tests.
So, the price you pay for your Chihuahua will, in some way, reflect the efforts of the breeder. This is why Chihuahua breeders that have been established for several decades are likely to charge premium prices, as they are producing healthier dogs with longer lifespans using the benefit of their knowledge and experience. And if you are looking for a show-quality dog, then the prices will probably be significantly higher as these will usually have impressive pedigrees.
In the end, though, it’s not about the money. The Chihuahua’s true worth lies in the fact that these wonderful pooches will light up your life and home for a good long time. Whatever you pay for yours, you’ll be guaranteed a best friend for life.
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