Mairead

When was that part of the standard or the extension written? Are there breeders/producers who therefore think albino is OK?

Publicity for the shelter?

Not in the same level of importance, but a ranger phoned me to tell me (who reported it) that they had caught the goat. Two rangers attended that day. I told them the goat wasn't tame but one of them bolted after it with a catchpole and didn't check the little kids were out of the way before the goat ran down the driveway and ran over the littlest kid. It was the other ranger that phoned me.

One of my neighbours has a brindle chi. The stripes (not many) only developed as it grew older. Same with another neighbour's blue staffie. Solid coloured when young, now has a few pale stripes.

So what is meant in the breed standard by "ruby" eyes? I'm picturing an albino rat.

I found other sites that say that white is rare and some have pink noses, and some owners of white chis saying they are deaf. Sounds like a colour to steer clear of. Perhaps white has become a desirable colour with people who don't know the downsides of it. I had a quick look at the shortcoat breeders on this site (Menu, Breeds, choose the breed then Breeders) and the majority of photos were of dogs with dark eyes and nose.

Even some horse people have gone overboard with what I am tempted to call Disneyfication. Friesians and Gypsy Vanners with manes and tails so long they are in danger of tripping over them. Arabians with grotesquely dished faces. Quarter horses with muscles like Belgian Blue cattle. If there were printed or spoken critiques it would give the judges a chance to say "too much".

Glad to hear it. I don't have experience with Chihuahuas but I've had a look at a chihuahua owners' group, and white doesn't seem to be particularly rare. It is possible that breeding pale cream to pale cream produces what looks like white. Some people wrote that their dogs developed some tan markings as they got older. The problem with the paler noses is that they may (depending on which genes are involved) be subject to sun damage. Ask your vet. I did see a photo of a very pale one with blue eyes, which the owner called albino. Definitely a colour to steer clear of. Lack of pigment is also associated with deafness in dogs.

I was sent a "before and after" dog grooming clip showing a blue merle oodle. I spent some time explaining about merle and double merle to many of the people who commented "gorgeous colour". A few people thought the colour was known as brindle (particularly by Pitbull people). One person mentioned cryptic merles, and one mentioned that the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA, which is a Pitbull registry) had banned merle. Their website has a sensible policy statement which mentions the disadvantages of merle and [the dangers of] popularity. There are now merle and lilac French Bulldogs, on that tree named site of course, and specialist rescue groups for deaf and blind dogs, many look like double merles.

First what is meant by pure white? Is it very pale cream? Because the genes for cream (C ch), and the genes for restriction of dark pigment (ee) are known in the chihuahua. The colour of the eyes and nose will give an indication of the genes involved. Second, there should be no additional value in a "rare" colour over a more common colour. Indeed some colours have associations with health problems, and if people are breeding only to produce rare colours they are neglecting more important aspects in choosing breeding partners, and might even be producing puppies only to turn a profit.

And something else.

We are probably not an average population of pet owners. How about asking at petshops and dog parks?

Do you have any intention of becoming a member of Dogs Victoria?

Just looked it up on Dogs Victoria website. The breeder is the first owner and chooses Main or Limited register for each pup when they register them. To change register Dogs Victoria requires written authorisation from the breeder. If you didn't say you wanted to compete in conformation shows (and you would have to become a Dogs Victoria member to do that) there would be no reason for the breeder to choose a Main Register puppy for you.

So you paid a main register price for the pup? And were clear about wanting a main register pup? Do you have a receipt which shows you paid for main register? Which activities were you hoping to do with the pup? Because you can do a lot of activities with a limited register. Someone with Victorian experience will have more answers for you.