Meg, Unfortunately some Chihuahua breeders do not know how to identify luxating patellas correctly, & think a dog only has a problem when it hops. I personally have my adults graded, especially if I am considering breeding from them.
Patella luxation is a degenerative disease, and is likely to get worse with age.
I recently tried to get a voluntary patella testing scheme through our club here in SA, but it mostly fell on deaf ears, or some breeders thought it wasn't a problem because their dogs didn't hop!
I suggest that you do plently of research on breeders & what testing they do on their dogs before you purchase your next show prospect.
Good luck with Francesca, hopefully she wont get worse too quickly & wont need surgery later in life.
Vicki
