Tina Bregman shares insights on breeding Chihuahuas: health testing, breed trends, and the importance of breed education.
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Tina Bregman
1. I’m Tina Bregman and I have been involved in the fancy for 15 years, 10 years breeding. My kennel name is OneLove Chihuahuas.
2. In my breed, we often evaluate a litter several times; a first look at around six weeks then again at three months and six months. I have held puppies back as long as a year and a half, waiting for testicles and/or bite, before I place them.
3. I’d like to believe as a breeder that I am seeing improvement in the breed. Health testing has been beneficial in providing breeders with important genetic information as well as a tool for understanding what their breeding stock may be predisposed to, giving them knowledge to make better decisions in their program. Trends that I’m now seeing that concern me are small ears, weak ears and incorrect placement, as well as eye size and shape. I see a trend towards larger males and Longcoats lacking coat.
4. As a Preservation Breeder, I would like to see a change in breeders tending to want to breed to a top-winning dog as opposed to what is actually the best choice for that particular female. I can’t stress enough the importance of judges education as well as understanding the Breed Standard. When I see a dog winning that is not necessarily deserving, I attribute that to both lack of knowledge and understanding of the Breed Standard as well as judges being dazzled by a showy performance versus evaluating breeding stock, which was the original purpose of AKC. As for the number of shows, I wouldn’t mind seeing fewer short circuits (weekends only) versus longer circuits that include Specialties, etc.
5. Social media is a great way to see results and for keeping us current on what happens on a regular basis. The negativity and bashing can be out of control at times, and I find that so unfortunate, but I am quite aware it’s not only occurring in the dog world but politically as well.
6. I believe one of the biggest challenges in our sport today is the ability to keep the sport alive while ensuring a safe environment for all. It’s not just the responsibility of AKC or the show committee. We all need to be committed to this evolving and challenging problem at hand.
7. Positive changes I have seen in the fancy I attribute to the breeders who are committed to health testing to ensure future generations of healthy, well-bred animals coming into the fancy. Knowledge is power.
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