20 Tips to Picking Your Next Puppy
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Thinking of getting a puppy? With a little knowledge you'll better be able to identify the best one for you. Here are 20 tips to picking a puppy.
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1.
Start with basic breed knowledge.
1 point - added 14 years ago by dspsfarm -
2.
Look above the paw for the bump where the dog's wrist will be.
The growth plates of the puppy's leg bones will grow upward from this point. If he or she is going to be very large when fully grown, this plate will be quite prominant. Knowing how large that little puppy is going to grow is the most relevant information you can have for your choice.
0 points - added 14 years ago by dspsfarm -
3.
Pick up a pinch of skin on his back and release it.
The flesh should quickly return to its original shape. If not, the dog may be dehydrated -- a symptom of several illnesses.
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4.
Look at his belly.
A pot-bellied stomach tells you a dog probably has worms.
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5.
Look at his gums.
Pale, cold gums may be a sign of some problem involving blood loss.
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6.
Look at his skin.
Dandruff and/or dryness of the coat may indicate a long-standing illness.
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7.
Pick him up. If he cries, he may have trouble bonding with people.
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8.
Avoid a pup that plays too hard or is too aggressive.
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9.
Try to select a puppy who's neither the dominant or the submissive one in the litter.
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10.
Check out the size of the pup's feet. Really large feet are indicative of how large the dog may grow.
0 points - added 14 years ago by dspsfarm -
11.
Don't take a dog with diarrhea - lift his tail to check for residue.
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12.
Be able to return the dog within 72 hours if there's a health problem yet unknown.
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13.
Ask the breeder for their opinion as to which dog is best for you. He knows them well.
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14.
Ask to see the dam of the litter; this will give you an idead of what the dog will look like when full-grown.
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15.
Don't take a dog if it is coughing. The pup could have a highly contagious kennel cough.
0 points - added 14 years ago by dspsfarm -
16.
Turn the puppy over as if you're cradling a baby. If he screams and tries to right himself, he may be unstable.
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17.
Determine the puppy's pain tolerance. If you have kids at home you can be sure it's going to be squeezed and prodded.
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18.
All puppies are cute...don't pick based on cuteness
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19.
Pick a dog that is the right size for your environment
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20.
Pick a breed that is appropriate for YOUR energy level
0 points - added 14 years ago by dspsfarm -
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