One of the most popular small breed dogs in the world is the Chihuahua. Ever since the sweet, little face of one of these adorable dogs graced our televisions to ask us if we wanted some tacos, the world has gone crazy with people looking for the perfect little pup. Unfortunately, this has created a wide open market for the dishonest Chihuahua breeder who is looking to make a quick dollar. These unscrupulous breeders are churning out pups by the dozen in breeding centers known as puppy mills.

The sad thing is, most people do not realize that when they purchase a Chihuahua puppy from a pet store, they are contributing to the inhumane conditions in which these puppy mills keep their dogs. Because, unbeknownst to buyers who only see the sweet little faces in the window, the majority of pet stores are being supplied directly by many a dishonest Chihuahua breeder. Even store owners which claim they only buy from respected breeders are playing into this fallacy.

The conditions in which the pups are bred in these puppy mills are nothing short of animal cruelty. Sometimes hundreds of females and pups are all living together in cramped conditions, often having to go without food or water for days. These conditions are rarely sanitary, and it is not unusual to find several dead pups and adult females each day. Even worse than the conditions the dogs are forced to live in, are the conditions under which the females are bred.

Female Chihuahuas, being so small to begin with, often show signs of deteriorating health after each time they give birth to a new litter of pups. The dishonest Chihuahua breeder will attempt to breed each female in their kennel every time she comes into season, often without making sure she gets any medical attention to be sure that she can safely deliver another litter. This leads to the vast majority of pups being born sick and dying.

When you make the decision to only purchase Chihuahua puppies from a respected Chihuahua breeder you can rest assured that you are doing your part to help put these puppy mills out of business. With every puppy that is purchased from a pet store, another puppy mill makes a profit and continues their cycle of cruelty to animals.

Even pet shop owners who claim to only buy pets from respectable breeders need to realize that a real Chihuahua breeder would never sell a pup to a pet store.

The most important thing to remember is that an honest Chihuahua breeder will never sell a single puppy to any pet store. Respectable breeders will make certain that their pups receive the medical attention they need to ensure they are healthy, and will never breed a female before she has completely healed from her last litter.

If you aren't sure how to find an honest Chihuahua breeder, talk to your vet about some of the Chihuahua breeders that he or she respects and knows. But above all - never buy a pup from a pet store.