True Story: The “Teacup” Puppy That Wasn’t

Several years ago, a woman named Billie reached out to us in distress about a very sick “teacup” puppy she had purchased from a breeder in Texas. She had found our number online while desperately searching for help. The tiny puppy was suffering from bloody diarrhea, and we immediately advised her to take the little one to a veterinarian.

When Billie’s vet examined the puppy, she discovered the pup weighed only 16 ounces, yet her body length and frame were the size of one of our healthy adults. The vet diagnosed a severe hookworm infestation, which had prevented the puppy from gaining weight — she was literally skin and bones. The Texas breeder had called her a “teacup” solely because of her extremely low weight.

Billie decided to adopt one of ours — a happy, healthy little boy named Stuart, who was charting to reach about 4.5 lbs as an adult. At nine weeks old, Stuart already weighed 2 lbs.

A year later, Billie called with an update. To my surprise, she said Stuart still weighed only 2 lbs. How could that be? Upon reviewing his growth history and diet, we realized Stuart had simply been a bit chubby as a puppy, which made our early weight prediction high. His growth had balanced out naturally, and he matured into a healthy, compact little dog. Billie’s 1 lb chihuahua puppy from the Texas breeder ended up 11 pound Adult, once healed and able to gain weight.

Chihuahua Puppy Ears

When it comes to the ears of a Chihuahua, they normally tip during infancy and childhood . It’s normal for the ears of a puppy to go up and down while they are teething up to 6 months of age. Below is a photo of Bug as a puppy, and then one of her as an adult dog.

Why different Prices?


Why Puppy Prices May Differ

Just like a family can have three daughters from the same parents — and only one might have that “pageant look” — a litter of puppies can vary in appearance and type even though they share the same show-line parents.

All of our puppies come from quality bloodlines, but not every puppy is “show quality.” A puppy we consider “pet quality” can still have an amazing personality and make a wonderful companion — they just may not meet every show standard.

There are several factors that influence pricing, such as:

  • The number of males versus females in a litter (we often price boys lower simply because we have more of them).
  • How closely we feel each puppy meets show-quality standards

Please remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. A lower price does not mean there’s something wrong —

Is Canned Dog Food Is Dangerous to Puppies?

Do not use canned dog or puppy foods to feed your Chihuahua puppy. It’s extremely dangerous for tiny puppies. Although bacteria are killed during the canning process, the “toxic poop”(endotoxins) made by the bacteria remain. So while high heat is used in the canning process to kill bacteria, this does not destroy the endotoxins.

Is Molera Normal In Chihuahuas? 

Soft spot on top of head, similar to the fontanel newborn human have. It is mentioned as a Chihuahua breed standard. Its presence is normal in the applehead Chihuahua puppies. Unfortunately, ignorant veterinarians who are not familiar with the Chihuahua breed, have tried to link the mere presence of a molera with brain defects. If your vet is so unfamiliar with Chihuahuas so as not to know about Moleras, you should probably switch to a more knowledgeable veterinarian. Such Ignorant remarks scare owners, causing unnecessary distress.

How are pups housed once weaned ? How do we keep pups and environment clean?

Puppies are kept two to a playpen for sanitation reasons. Pups always have cloth toys and blankets in their playpens as well as musical crib toys including mobiles….Velcro attached interactive sound toys to the sides of playpens , which a pups paw can activate. Cloth toys and blankets are washed every 24 to 48 hours. The musical plastic motion activated toys are disinfected every week. We keep puppy food and dish bowls in dishtubs of diluted bleach water. Daily water bowls are exchanged out instead of refilling as pups can walk in and contaminate empty bowls. Bleached Bowls are always rinsed well when removed from diluted bleach water, before filling with bottled water. We use only store bought bottled water for puppies

After a puppy is deposited on , what happens?

We stick a label to your puppies playpen with your information written. We are older so just in case anything happens to us, pup gift bags are labeled with the names and info of who the puppy belongs to, amount of deposits paid, balances due, so our adult kids would have all information. We make gift bags, folders with paperwork, and stick a label with customer information in on each gift bag, playpens ( as mentioned earlier) as well as document your information into our books. We also send you photos of items to order for your puppy .

*****************CONTRACT TERMS

This agreement is a legal document between the buyer and seller. No other guarantees or warranties have been made either expressed or implied by the Breeder

Jurisdiction :No disagreement is ever expected, but if any disagreement arises, it will be settle by a court in San Joaquin County, State of California.

Facsimile/Electronic Signature- All parties hereto agree that this Agreement may be executed by facsimile/electronic signatures ( including typed names ) and such signatures shall be deemed originals.

The contract is valid for the original purchaser of the dog from Seller. Any part of the agreement that becomes void, does not void any other parts of the contract.

Deposits and Payments . Payments go toward puppy & not refundable if Buyer backs out of sale for any reason .  If by rare  event your puppy becomes ill or dies while in breeders care, buyer may choose another puppy from breeder but no refund is given.  

BUYER REQUIRED VET APPT Buyer agrees To have puppy examined by a licensed veterinarian of their choice within 4 days of taking possession. A POOP SAMPLE to be taken in for fecal exam.

Breeder is not responsible for associated charges, veterinarian fees once puppy leaves Breeders hands , Buyer assumes all financial responsibilities for dog after the dog leaves Seller’s custody. Puppies are only released if showing all signs of excellent health. 

YOUR PUPPY comes with 30 day free health insurance that covers unexpected illness or injury and can only be activated by Buyer within 24 hours of taking possession. No credit card needed for activation. 

One YEAR WARRANTY. Life threatening defect found at required Vet exam would result in Buyer returning puppy to breeder for replacement. Death from proven genetic defect (necropsy  records from Vet required) in the one year warranty period, the buyer may have a credit of 100% the original cost of their dog toward another puppy from Breeder. 

PURCHASER/SELLER AGREEMENTS. State laws allow contract agreements between buyer and seller as long as reasonable options of remedies exist, should a health issue arise. If you do not find our terms reasonable please do not send any payment. Sending a deposit activates contract terms. 

REGISTRATION- Puppies are sold as pets with limited registration , not for breeding . Papers will be completed and ready for you when your puppy is ready to go, but once in a rare while it may take a couple weeks to mail the registration to you.

BREEDER DOES NOT WARRANTY non-genetic illnesses, infectious illnesses, viruses, worms or parasites. We do not warranty against moleras as they are listed in Chihuahua breed standard , nor Merle pattern , genes as also listed in Akc breed standard . We do not warranty against moles, scars, ear nose , iretained baby teeth body shape, size, eye shape or size, color of eyes, nor color or or quality of coat, or any body part I.e. shorter or longer digits, dewclaws which may or may not be present short or long nose, short or long ears,also body size, also weight, off bites,

VACCINE SAFETY – PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW PUPPY TO RECEIVE VACCINES IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS . 

IF PUPPY HAS LOOSE STOOLS DO NOT ALLOW VACCINES UNTIL RESOLVED

++++++ RABIES VACCINE NOT TO BE GIVEN WITH OTHER VACCINES. PLEASE WAIT UNTIL OVER 6 MONTHS OLD.

BUYER/PLEASE SIGN

DATE

ADDRESS