Finding a Healthy Dog
Aside from that indefinable thing called chemistry, consider the basic signs of good health. Your first criteria in picking a puppy should be selecting one that is healthy and sound. Here's what to look for:
Eyes should be open, clear, and clean, without redness, tearing, or discharge, brightly radiating the pup's healthy curiosity about its world.
Ears should be clean and wax-free. If the ear canal is dirty, smelly, swollen, or tender to the touch, an infection may be present.
The nose, that all-important little button, should be clean and moist. If it's drippy, has a discharge, or if the puppy is sneezing, this could indicate an allergy or upper respiratory infection.
In the mouth, baby teeth should be clean and white, breath fresh, gums and tongue pink and moist, and jaws not misaligned (puppies should not have a noticeable overbite or underbite).
Well-fed puppies have nice round bellies and a protective layer of fat, but if the tummy is hard and distended, this could indicate the presence of worms. Ribs should not be visible but should be discernible to your touch.
The pup's skin is a velvety suit it is growing into. It should be supple and a bit loose, not flaky, dry, or leathery. A healthy coat is free of bare spots, redness, or flea infestation.
The pup should not exhibit pain or tenderness as you go over its body with your hands. Its joints should not be sore or swollen, and it should walk with a normal gait.
The odor, if a pup is clean and healthy, should be the warm and wonderful smell of a fresh puppy.
We've covered the basics of choosing a healthy puppy. In addition to the obvious signs of good health, you need to carefully check your little dog for congenital defects. Some are repairable by surgery, but you may ask the breeder to consider reducing the price if you'll be faced with this expense.
On male pups, check to see if both testicles have descended from the abdomen into the scrotum. When they have not, the condition is called testicular retention.
Undescended testicles can be removed when the dog is mature, but such a dog can never be bred or shown. Neutering is advisable because this is a hereditary trait. Left untreated, retention of the testicles can lead to testicular cancer. If you have your heart set on a small dog with such a condition, talk to the breeder about adjusting the price and discuss the matter with your own vet.
A male dog with one undescended testicle is called a monorchid, while one with both testicles in the abdomen is referred to as a cryptorchid.
You can spot a sound robust little dog without much trouble. However, the only way to make sure your pup is in good health is to take it to your own vet while it is still under the breeder's guarantee. If your vet detects a health problem and advises you to return the puppy to the breeder, you should follow this advice. It may be hard for you, but owning a dog with major disabilities will be an even bigger heartbreak down the road. Your best chance for sharing a long and happy life with your new dog is to start off with a healthy puppy.
