What
To Look For When Choosing a Dog
Now you are about to buy your
dog. It is important that you know
exactly what to look for to ensure he is healthy, well balanced and
suitable for you and your environment. Remember that a pet dog is
part of the family and
should be chosen with all family members in
mind to make sure that you
all fit in together.
The
Shelter Dog
If you are buying a dog from a shelter you will be interviewed by a
member of staff and your home will be checked to ensure that you are
able to provide the dog with all the requirements he needs. You will be
able to choose your dog from several that need homes, but look at them
all before you decide. Every dog there needs someone to love and care
for him and most will give you a warm welcome as you view them in their
kennels. When you have selected your dog you will be able to spend time
with him, assess his suitability to
your lifestyle, be made aware of any problems he may have and if he is
reliable
with other dogs, children, cats and other small animals and livestock.
If
all goes well, and both you and the dog 'pass the tests' you will be
able to take him home with you.
Re-homing
an Adult Dog.
If you are re-homing an adult dog from a private advertiser e.g an ad.
in a newspaper may say, "7 yrs old pedigree Labrador needs new home due
to altered work commitments etc. etc.", be sure to visit the dog in his
present home. Watch his behaviour with the people he knows, quietly
talk to him and see how he reacts to you. If he is overly suspicious,
beware of problems ahead as he may miss his family too much to settle
in a new home with strangers. Ask many questions about his temperament,
whether he is reliable with other animals and children etc. Does he
have any health problems? Has he had any past problems that could
resurface? Genuine advertisers will want the best for their much loved
pet if he has to be re-homed and will be only too happy to tell you
anything you wish to know, but beware of the owner who must find
someone to take his dog at all costs. He will not tell you of
aggressive tendencies,
or of the chewing the rug habit. You have to judge the present owner
just
as carefully as you judge the dog.
Buying a
Puppy.
Whether the puppy you plan on taking into your home is pure bred or
mongrel makes no difference, you still must make the same checks.
Health and temperament are the most important things to look for when
choosing a puppy, but first ask the date that the litter was born. No
puppy should leave his mother until he is 8 weeks old. Any earlier and
he will have missed vital doggy lessons that only his mother can teach
him. Around 8 weeks of age he will be inquisitive of the world and want
to explore away from his 'den'.
Quietly watch the puppies with their mother. Note how they respond to
her and each other. Approach them more closely and see how they react
to the presence
of you - a stranger. Many people immediately choose the pup that dashes
up
to them, licking them all over, thinking that the puppy has singled
them
out. Consider that the very same puppy would behave in exactly the same
way
with any stranger who approached him, he has not
specifically
chosen you! These extrovert puppies usually make
boisterous
dogs. They
are loving and loveable, but behave exactly the same with everyone they
meet.
They rarely make good watch dogs. If this is the type of dog you want
then
put him on your short list. There may be a timid puppy that will run
and
hide. A frightened pup could grow into an aggressive dog, but give him
a
chance to come into the open and behave normally before you discard him
as
he may simply be a little wary of strangers particularly if for some
reason the puppies have not had much interaction with people. Beware of
the puppy that snaps at his litter mates for no apparent reason. These
are often aggressive, highly strung adults and do not make good family
pets. Some puppies may stand back as you approach and give you the once
over. They do not immediately greet
you, nor do they shy away. These are the puppies that I would
personally shortlist
at this stage. They are weighing up the situation, which shows
intelligence,
they aren't rushing into danger, but neither are they running scared.
This
kind of puppy usually proves easy to train and makes a loyal companion.
Watch the puppies
as they move around. Look for any sign of a limp
which could be temporary after a rough and tumble game, or could
alternatively be a sign of deformity in the hip or shoulder. Are his
front feet square
when he stands? Toes that point inwards are undesirable and can cause
stress
in the way of shoulder dislocations later in life in an active dog.
Some
short nosed breeds eg. bulldog, boxer, pekinese naturally puff and
snort
a little, but if this type of breed is not your choice be wary of a
puppy
with a shortness of breath as there could be heart or lung
difficulties.Clap
your hands a few times to make sure that the puppies respond and there
is
no sign of deafness. Be sure to note that they do hear and are not
simply
looking around because their brothers and sisters do so.
You may now have
one or two pups that you particularly like. Take
your time in checking them over, there is no hurry. Remember, this
decision could change your life for many years.
Pick the puppies up
and look at their eyes. Are they bright and
clear?
A puppy's eyes should sparkle with health. Make sure there is no
discharge around the corners. Very slightly runny
eyes may be
acceptable if
the puppies are reared outside and the day is windy or dusty. Never buy
a
puppy with a nasal discharge however as this could be an early sign of
a
serious condition. Check the puppy's ears. The inside should be clean
and
free from wax or odour. Ear mites may be suspected if the ears smell.
This
is not serious, but the breeder should have the problem cleared for you
if
you decide that is the pup you want. The puppy's coat should be shiny,
(with
the exception of rough coated breeds), and his skin should be fairly
loose,
falling back to the body with elasticity when gently pulled. Examine
the
coat carefully, particularly around the neck and armpits. This is where
fleas
and lice congregate. Tiny black specks (flea droppings) or thick white
dandruff
(lice - but not always easy to detect.) Again the breeder should have
this
problem cleared for you before you take the puppy home. Look in the
puppy's
mouth. The gums should be nice and healthy looking with no sign of
soreness,
and the teeth clean and white. Take note if the puppy snaps at you
while
you check his mouth as this could well be a future snappy dog. Look
closely
at the run or area where the puppies are kept and note any signs of
diarrhoea.
Check the rectal area of the puppies and look for any redness, soreness
or
dried excrement. Be sure to ask the breeder if the puppies have been
wormed,
how often and when. Puppies often look over plump following a meal and
this
quickly passes off, but a pot-belly can also indicate worms,
particularly
if the coat stands up rather than lies flat. Worms can be easily dealt
with
either before the puppy goes home with you, or when you have him vet
checked
(which should be as soon as possible).
If you are happy
with your choice of puppy and have made your
purchase ask the breeder about the food he has been giving his litter
and how much and how often they have been fed. He will most likely give
you a small amount of food that the puppy is used to, as a
sudden
change of diet can cause a little stomach upset.
If you have bought
a pedigree puppy you will be given a copy of its
pedigree and the forms to either register it with the Kennel Club or to
transfer it to your ownership if it has already been registered. Papers
are not necessary if your dog is to be a pet, but if you intend to show
or breed from the dog yourself you will need the correct documents.
If you find that by
any chance there isn't a puppy in this litter
that you wish to buy, don't be afraid to walk away. You have not wasted
anyone's time and a reputable breeder would understand your reasons. It
is better
to go home empty handed than to make a bad decision. The dog for you
will
be out there somewhere, and may only be a few days away.
You have your
new dog. Are you ready for The
New
Arrival?
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