Mixed breed thoughts

[greekprincess]

I was considering breeding my dog. I have a long haired chihuahua and origanlly I wanted to breed her with another pure breed, but my good friend has a yorkshire terrior and it got me thinking about a mix breed. I just wanted to know people's opinion on mix breeding. Do you think it would be better to have pure breeds or try mix breed? Also, if anyone thinks it would be interesting to have mix breed, what do you think would be the best dog to breed with a pure breed long haired chihuahua?
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[Kade]

For a lot of reasons, you will find that most posters at globalpaw are not in favor of mixed breeds -- not because we are snobbish or only like purebreds, but because there are literally millions of unwanted dogs in shelters and rescues, being put to sleep on a daily basis.

"Responsible" breeding of purebred dogs is done to improve the breed toward what's called a "breed standard." So people who show their dogs will look for the best specimen they can find to breed to, and reputable breeders will have any dog considered for breeding put through rigorous and thorough (breed-specific) health checks.

May I ask why you want to breed your dog? Breeding (any breed, but especially small breeds) is complex and expensive. It's more dangerous to the mother and puppies than most people realize. And the costs incurred can be enormous (could you afford ultrasounds, a C-section, emergency care?) -- not to mention the time commitment necessary once the pups arrive. And then the responsibility of placing them -- how would you feel if one of your pups ended up in a shelter because the person who bought it got tired of it? Or the pups of your pups? Is that something you can live with? Because it's practically guaranteed to happen within one or two generations.

Everyone here understands loving a dog so much that the idea of having his/her puppies around is tempting. But for the very simple reason that hundreds, maybe even thousands of puppies are put to sleep every day all across America, breeding just for puppies is basically unjustifiable.

[richnrissa]

I'm going to just second Kade on this one, because its now been said SO much better than i was trying to put together......

[WingedFoal]

I agree completely with everything you've said, Kade.

Greekprincess, if you are seriously interested in breeding, contact some *responsible* (cannot stress that word enough - and I don't mean your nearest backyard breeder) breeders and see if any are willing to be mentors to you. Also, you can join a dog club and go to the meetings and shows. Get involved with the purebred world outside your pet. There are many things you can do to help a breed, and many things you can do to harm a breed. Breeding your pet does not help, especially if you are just bringing in more mixed breeds or pups that are only pet-quality.

Leave the breeding to the responsible breeders who are working so hard to continue outstanding lines of dogs.

[Cassiepeia]

I agree with everyone (well said Kade! ).

As a fellow long coated chihuahua owner, I implore you not to breed your pet at all.

Our breed has such a bad rap already, so many backyard breeders and puppymills are churning out huge numbers of horrid examples of this breed and people are buying them on impulse because celebs have them or because they're on ads. Millions of dogs are put to sleep every year all around the world, we don't need anymore going that way.

Our breed certainly doesn't need anymore bad examples being produced and cast out into the gene pool. If you love the breed, you won't let your Chi have pups. She may be the most perfect pet in the world, but let her stay 'a pet'.

Cass.

[robomidjet]

Ya know in my days of doing animal control, people who pulled stunts like that are what kept me employed. ~Enough Said

[mulroony]

Too many dogs are being PTS everyday. Look at petfinder and see the thousands of dogs that need homes, then realize that is not nearly all the dogs that need homes... Please get you dog fixed, and if you want a puppy go out and adopt one. I bet there is one in a shelter near you that is just as beautiful as any puppy your dog would produce.

[flyndog]

And as a Yorkshire Terrier fancier, I protest such nonsense. Here's what buyers of your Yorkiewahwahs (or whatever you call them) could face...that is, if you care about what happens to the dogs after they leave your house. These are congenital and heritable conditions that appear commonly in both breeds. The chance that the puppies will have the condition is good, even if neither parent has the condition. I suspect conditions could be favorable for the puppies to have more than one of these costly, painful, and sometimes life-threatening problems.
collapsed trachea
liver shunt
luxating patella
numerous eye problems

I sincerely hope you will take the time to think more carefully and think outside the pocketbook about such a cross.

Kit

[Pugdawg1]

I think you would do both breeds (chihuahua & yorkshire terrier) a major disservice. I see no good reason for that sort of breeding. I'd think long and hard before doing something like that.

[Mysticwind]

Does not sound like a good idea to me. Better to spay her and enjoy her as a loveable pet.

[Charlie_boy]

Hi you never answered why you wanted to breed her? I would say leave her be and if you just simply want another dog then prehaps get one from a good and experienced breeder. I personally dont agree with so called "designer" dogs. They are not designer they are mutts and although some people prefer mutts and that is fine there are just too many unwanted and unloved ones around already! Only today i found a web site that made my blood boil. This woman was advertising all her dogs as cross breeds when i asked her why she had te nerve to tell me that she had improved this dog by doing so. The example she gave me was a shih poo and according to her these dogs had been improved by having a nicer temrement than a poodle and being more intelligent than a shih tzu!!! a load of cobbles if i ever did hear it and who exactly gave her the right to play god i will never know. I personally think her and who she is involved with should be ashamed of them sleves!!

OK rant over

Just pleaseput a lot of thought and research in to breeding if you choose to go ahed with it. I have heard far too many stories lately of people not doingthis and the results are terrible and heartbreaking!

Shally

[Kelly]

Welcome to GP! I agree wholeheartedly on everything that was said. there is no need to add more mutts to the world when so many need a home, same goes for pure breeds IMO.

Unless you have something to add to the breed, better to leave it for the professionals.

[Brooklyn]

I breed purebred Chihuahuas and they havent been a problem for me so far, I did have to pay $800 in vet bills for a puppy who died though. He was born with a liver problem, it wasnt genetic though it was just something he was born with. Yorkies often have this liver problem too (it is more common in yorkies) so a Yorkie/Chihuahua might not be the best idea, plus they turn out like scruffy little dogs. Chihuahuas mixed wth Papillons and Pomeranians are very pretty in my opinion. Chihuahuas and Pekingese are also usually scruffy. If you want to talk more about beeding her with me, **Edit - Please do not put your email address in your post.** to be honest I think mix breeding a Chi is a great idea, if you choose the right breed to mix it with, everyone will want one. I can also give you some info on Chihuahuas too and you maybe can teach me a few things!

[Pippinislove]

Originally Posted by Brooklyn

I breed purebred Chihuahuas and they havent been a problem for me so far, I did have to pay $800 in vet bills for a puppy who died though. He was born with a liver problem, it wasnt genetic though it was just something he was born with. Yorkies often have this liver problem too (it is more common in yorkies) so a Yorkie/Chihuahua might not be the best idea, plus they turn out like scruffy little dogs. Chihuahuas mixed wth Papillons and Pomeranians are very pretty in my opinion. Chihuahuas and Pekingese are also usually scruffy. If you want to talk more about beeding her with me **Edit - Please do not put your email address in your post.** to be honest I think mix breeding a Chi is a great idea, if you choose the right breed to mix it with, everyone will want one. I can also give you some info on Chihuahuas too and you maybe can teach me a few things!

Just because someone "wants it" does not mean a dog should be bred. There are many things that need to be addressed before breeding. Does the dog fit the breed standard physically and temperamentally? If not, why breed a dog that doesn't look and/or act like it's supposed to?

Is the dog a Champion? No? Then it hasn't proven that it matches the standard.

Are the dogs health tested for all genetic diseases within the breed, and did it pass? No? Then who knows what problems the dog could be passing on to it's offspring.

What is the point of breeding mixed breeds? There is none except because "OMG IT IS SO CUTE" or to make money. Which in my humble opinion, are not a good enough reasons. Dogs are not fashion accessory, lamps, jeans, or shoes. They shouldn't be bred to meet a "demand" or to look cute.

Millions of dogs are dieing each and every year in shelters because there are too many dogs and not enough homes. If you aren't breeding responsibly (aka, breeding titled dogs that have passed health tests), you're ruining a breed, and creating more unwanted puppies.

Want a "Yorki-wawa"? Go to the shelter and pick up a mixed breed dog. What is the point of breeding mutts? Breeding two different breeds is a game of luck, you have no idea what you're going to end up with.

Again. Just because the dogs or the offspring will be cute is not a good enough reason. I dare you to go and volunteer at a shelter and get attached to the dogs, and then come back the next week to realize half the ones that aren't there any more have been euthanized because BYB and irresponsible owners failed to spay or nueter their dogs. Because there just are too many dogs and not enough homes.

[Cassiepeia]

Originally Posted by Brooklyn

I breed purebred Chihuahuas and they havent been a problem for me so far, I did have to pay $800 in vet bills for a puppy who died though. He was born with a liver problem, it wasnt genetic though it was just something he was born with. Yorkies often have this liver problem too (it is more common in yorkies) so a Yorkie/Chihuahua might not be the best idea, plus they turn out like scruffy little dogs. Chihuahuas mixed wth Papillons and Pomeranians are very pretty in my opinion. Chihuahuas and Pekingese are also usually scruffy. If you want to talk more about beeding her with me, **Please do not put your email address in your post.** to be honest I think mix breeding a Chi is a great idea, if you choose the right breed to mix it with, everyone will want one. I can also give you some info on Chihuahuas too and you maybe can teach me a few things!

Cass.