How old does a MALE CHIHUAHUA have to be to start breeding?
Once he is old enough to be accurately assessed as to his health, type, temperament and quality. It’s very flattering to be asked if your dog can be used at stud but the type of person who asks an inexperienced owner of an untried dog if they can use him, isn’t usually a caring and responsible breeder. You wouldn’t want your dog’s puppies to end up in unsuitable homes or in a rescue centre, so unless this breeder is very experienced and believes your dog’s pedigree and his type are an excellent match for their b1tch – just say no. The best place to get information like this is from your dog’s breeder – if they can’t or won’t help, chances are, it really isn’t worth the problems you will probably have with your dog once he is used at stud.
So I should breed when…? The only reason you should be breeding is that you honestly feel that you are improving your breed by doing so. There are far too many dogs in the country to breed without good reason. A dog in a breeding program must be one whose genetic history you or its breeder is intimately familiar with. Such a dog must represent the best efforts of its breeder at that point. Such a dog must have good points to contribute, whether that is in good conformation, good performance or whatever. Such a dog must have some evidence of external evaluation. That is, others besides the breeder or the owner must also think that the dog is a good representive of its breed. That usually translates into titles, whether for conformation, obedience, field, herding, or whatever is appropriate for that breed. Such a dog must be tested as it matures for any problems that tend to appear in its breed, whether that is hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, von Willebrand’s, cataracts, PRA, fanconi
