How to Choose a Healthy Puppy

Puppies are the ideal choice for many prospective dg owners, as they can be trained from a young age to respond to simple commands and instructions. It is easy to fall in love with a puppy's playful antics and cute phyical characteristics, but is your new puppy healthy? Carefully examining a puppy before bringing him home can save you from spending a small fortune on vet bills or the heartbreak of losing your puppy early on in life.

Check for Lameness

A healthy puppy will walk and run with ease. But if the puppy is lame, you will soon see it. Check for lameness by watching the puppy as he walks. Does he put all his weight on all four legs, or does he have a visible limp? If the puppy is obviously lame, you would do well to keep searching for another puppy, as you are the one who will be saddled with expensive vet bills if you decide to bring a lame puppy home.

Skin Condition

Puppies should have an excellent skin condition, but you can never tell for sure until you check them closely. Push the hair back to check for flakiness, scabs or lumps. Then feel the puppy's belly. It should not have any sores, spots or any other signs of illness.

Clean Fur

Look at the puppy's fur to make sure it is clean and shiny. As you stroke the puppy, you should not notice too much shedding at such a young age. You should also check the fur for any visible signs of fleas. The last thing you want is to bring a flea-infested puppy home, as it can be difficult to deal with a flea infestation.

Healthy Eyes

Clear, bright eyes are evidence of a healthy puppy. If the puppy's eyes are red or there is a discharge, this could indicate an underlying health condition. You will want to bring this to the breeder's attention, but do not bring a visibly sick puppy home.

Your new puppy should be in excellent health when you bring him home, but if not, you should not settle for the runt of the litter or put up with a sick animal, as you will have to take on the responsibility of caring for his needs and paying the vet bills. It is important to take the time to examine each and every puppy you are considering adopting from top to toe before you reach a decision. Doing so will mean you end up with exactly what you are looking for. Hastily choosing a puppy that is cute and catches your eye can cost you later on, which is why a thorough physical examination is necessary.