How To Find Chihuahua Puppy For Sale $150 Craigslist
PETSIDI – Hey friend! Looking for an adorable new furry friend to join your family? Chihuahuas are one of the most popular small dog breeds, known for being lively, loyal, and absolutely cute as a button. While Chihuahua puppies can be expensive from a breeder, you can sometimes find deals on Craigslist for rehoming by owners or accidental litters. With some patience and perseverance, you might just find your perfect Chihuahua puppy for cheap or even free on Craigslist!
In this article, I’ll walk you through the process of searching for and adopting a Chihuahua puppy on Craigslist for a bargain price of $150 or less. We’ll cover:
- Understanding Chihuahua Backgrounds and Costs
- Searching Craigslist for Chihuahua Listings
- Contacting Sellers and Screening Listings
- Visiting and Choosing Your Puppy
- Bringing Your New Puppy Home
Let’s dive in and find your perfect new fur baby!
Understanding Chihuahua Backgrounds and Costs
To find your dream Chihuahua puppy for cheap, it helps to understand where they usually come from and what impacts the price. Here’s a quick rundown:
Where Do Cheap Chihuahuas Come From?
Cheap Chihuahua puppies on Craigslist are often:
- Accidental litters from people’s pet Chihuahuas
- Retired breeding dogs that owners want to rehome
- Shelter/rescue pups
- Imported from Mexico/South America (can be risky)
Reputable breeders usually charge $500-$2000+ for Chihuahua puppies, depending on lineage and location. But everyday pet Chihuahuas often end up having accidental litters, and owners then need to rehome the puppies quickly.
Backyard breeders also produce litters cheaply, but may not health test breeding dogs or puppies. It’s best to avoid these.
What Impacts Chihuahua Puppy Prices?
Factors that increase a Chihuahua puppy’s price include:
- Age – younger puppies cost more
- Size – “teacup” Chihuahuas under 3 lbs are pricier
- Coloring – rare colors like merle cost more
- Lineage – well-bred puppies from champion bloodlines are expensive
- Location – puppies in cities/urban areas tend to cost more
Cheaper puppies often come from accidental pet litters and are older, standard-sized, common colors, and non-show lineage.
Average Chihuahua Puppy Costs
Source | Average Price |
---|---|
Breeders | $500 – $2000+ |
Pet stores | $500 – $1000 |
Accidental litters | $50 – $300 |
Rescues | $50 – $350 |
Imports | $20 – $800 |
From this, we can see the average price range for cheaper chihuahua puppies from accidental litters, rescues, or imports is approximately $50 – $350.
So if you’re patient and persistent, you can likely find a Chihuahua puppy under $150 on Craigslist! Now let’s look at how to search.
Searching Craigslist for Chihuahua Listings
Craigslist can be a bit of a disorganized mess, but here are some tips for narrowing down the search for Chihuahua puppies under $150:
Check the Right Sections
Focus on these sections:
- Pets » Dogs
- Community » Pets » Dogs
Also look under:
- Lost + Found » Pets
Sometimes young puppies are listed here.
Use Search Terms
Try searches like:
- “Chihuahua”
- “Chihuahua puppies”
- “Chihuahua pups”
- “Chi puppies” “Chi pups”
- “teacup Chihuahua” “teacup Chi”
Can also add “-mix” to eliminate mixes.
Filter By Price
Check the “$100” and “$150” price filter options to narrow it down. You can sometimes find puppies listed for cheap even if they don’t specify a price.
Browse All Areas
Don’t just restrict yourself to your own city or suburb. Look at the full coverage area, as you may find better deals a bit farther out.
Check Daily
New posts come up all the time, so check back daily and be ready to contact sellers promptly. The cute ones go fast!
Expand Your Search
If Craigslist isn’t yielding results, also look on sites like Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, and local rescue/shelter adoption sites.
Contacting Sellers and Screening Listings
Once you’ve found some potential Chihuahua puppies under $150 on Craigslist, it’s time to reach out to sellers. Here are some tips:
Ask Lots of Questions
To screen listings, make sure to ask about:
- Puppy’s age, sex
- Breeding background – accidental litter? retired breeder?
- Health and vet records – shots, deworming, health issues
- Temperament and behavior
- Reason for rehoming
- Meeting the parents (if still with them)
Watch for Red Flags
Avoid listings if sellers seem:
- Evasive or reluctant to provide info
- Unable/unwilling to provide vet records
- Rehoming at very young age (under 8 weeks)
- Offering to ship the puppy
- Asking for extra fees for vaccinations/registration
Request Photos/Videos
Ask for recent pics/videos to help gauge the pup’s health, age, and environment. Are the living conditions clean and safe? Does the puppy look healthy and vibrant?
Arrange a Meet & Greet
If all checks out, schedule a time to meet the puppy and parents (if possible) before adopting. This will help confirm everything in person.
Meeting in a neutral location is safest when buying from strangers.
Visiting and Choosing Your Puppy
You’re finally going to meet potential Chihuahua puppies in person! Here are some things to look out for:
Assess Health & Energy
Gently interact with the puppy and see that they are:
- Alert, active, curious
- Clear eyes, nose, skin
- Shiny coat
- Healthy weight
- Muscular limbs
- No coughing or runny nose
Puppies should seem vibrant and excited to play/explore. Lethargy, eye/nose discharge, or swelling can indicate illness.
Check for Signs of Neglect
Look for indicators like:
- Matted/dirty coat
- Long nails
- Skin irritation
- Fleas/ticks
- Underweight or pot-bellied
While not definitive, these may hint at neglect.
Observe Behavior
Does the puppy seem:
- Friendly and social
- Comfortable being handled
- Playful and energetic
Avoid puppies that seem anxious, aggressive, or fearful.
Meet the Parents (if possible)
Meeting Mom and Dad can provide insight into size, temperament, and health. Watch their interaction with puppies – attentive and protective? Nervous or indifferent?
See if you can handle the parents as well. Their reaction may indicate if aggression runs in the bloodline.
Choose Your Puppy
When deciding on a particular pup, let your heart guide you too! The one that bonds with you immediately may just be the perfect match.
Don’t feel rushed into deciding – make sure you are comfortable before committing.
Bringing Your New Puppy Home
Congratulations on finding your new furry friend! Here are some tips for bringing home and caring for your Chihuahua puppy:
Puppy-Proof Your Home
Before pickup, prepare your home by:
- Removing hazardous objects/chemicals
- Securing electric wires
- Blocking off unsafe areas
Chihuahua puppies are tiny and quick! Better to be safe.
Get Supplies
Have essentials ready like:
- Collar + leash
- ID tag
- Food and water bowls
- Puppy food
- Dog bed
- Potty training pads
- Toys
- Grooming supplies
Shopping beforehand reduces stress for you and pup!
Schedule a Vet Visit
Book the puppy’s first vet visit within a few days to:
- Confirm health
- Deworm, vaccinate
- Discuss care, nutrition
Establishing vet care early on is important.
Pet-Proof Your Home
In addition to safety proofing, also:
- Remove valuables and clutter
- Block access to hazards like stairs, balconies
- Create allowed chewing zones
Puppies are curious and love to chew – be prepared!
Potty Train
- Take out every few hours
- Reward outdoor potties with treats
- Limit access until fully trained
- Clean accidents thoroughly with enzyme cleaner
Patience and consistency are key for potty training success!
Socialize Your Puppy
Safely expose your puppy to:
- New people
- Other friendly pets
- Children
- Various environments
This prevents fearfulness and improves temperament. Go slowly and positively.
With preparation and diligent care, your new Chihuahua puppy will settle into your family and bring you years of joy and companionship! I wish you the very best finding your perfect pup.
Leave a Reply