Having a puppy to take care is a real responsibility itself. It is a decision that comes with preparedness and a whole lot of heart. But before you go on playing with your new fur-baby, you need to select the best puppy in the litter.
It is actually best if you can visit the breeder and see all the puppy personally so you would get a chance to assess your puppy’s personality and how they are taken cared of. Pet lovers have this belief that the biggest puppy is the healthiest and strongest. This is not always the case.
Big puppies have a tendency to be dominating Big puppies are sure to get your attention first, but you may need further observation before making a decision.
The second thing to consider is the physical status of the puppy. Check the nostrils and the gums. The nostrils should be moist and gums should be pink in color. The closer the shade of it to red, the better.
Check how the puppy stands up and runs with its littermates. A puppy who always goes tipping and unbalanced is not a healthy puppy.
Third, check for the presence of a hernia in the abdominal region. A hernia is usually seen as a lump on the inguinal or abdominal region which when palpated, there is a feeling of a hole underneath the skin. This is a highly genetic trait and such animals are not suggested for breeding. Avoid these puppies.
Fourth, check the hair coat. It should be very soft and there should be no latches of skin. The thickness should be even throughout the body.
Specific sites to check for the presence of mange or fungal infection are the ears, face, legs, tail and anal area.
Last and definitely not the least, is for you to study a puppy’s immunization certificate. Check the dates and the signature with the license number if the attending veterinarian. Should your breeder fail to show you these, be doubtful. You can also get the contact number of the concerned veterinarian for confirmation purposes. Do not get a puppy with no or incomplete immunizations. They may look healthy when you adopt them; but since they are unprotected, there is a higher chance of occurrence of diseases and infections.
