Doghouse UK

What to Look For

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.

If you have any questions or can give advice on what to look for when buying a dog or puppy
please check out Doghouse Forums
where you will be able to join in any discussions or post topics of your own.
(Free registration is necessary in order to post messages. Guests may browse).

You have your new dog. Are you ready for The New Arrival?