How to identify a good puppy?
Laverne Sanford
2025-09-02 08:31:34
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: 17
Eyes should be clear and bright, with no sign of dirt or redness. Ears should be clean with no smell or signs of wax inside that could mean ear mites. Nose should be cold and slightly wet, with wide open nostrils. Breathing should be quiet and effortless with no snoring, coughing, grunting or wheezing. Skin should be clean, dry, with no signs of soreness or folds that can become infected. Mouth should be clean, with white teeth and pink healthy gums. Fur should be shiny and soft with no sign of fleas. Legs should be strong and sturdy, with no limping or difficulty walking. Your chosen puppy should also be bright, active and friendly. Avoid a puppy that appears timid or afraid, as you may well find that they experience behavioural issues later in life.
Meda Wuckert
2025-08-23 07:48:36
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Check the appearance of pups and mum. Clear eyes with no redness or discharge, a clear nose with no discharge, clear breathing with no wheezing or coughing, clean ears with no redness and obvious wax or discharge, healthy-looking skin with no scabs or sores, shiny and soft fur with no evidence of fleas, sturdy legs with no signs of limping, their ribs aren’t visible, a clean and dry bottom. Look at the mother, too – does she seem healthy and happy? Is she a healthy weight? Is she interacting with the puppies? Does she seem comfortable with people? It’s a good idea to observe these things from a distance to avoid causing her any anxiety.
It’s worth watching the puppies and their mother together for a while to see what they’re doing. Whether the mother seems physically and mentally healthy, or reserved and withdrawn, if the puppies seem active and alert, or subdued and listless, whether the pups are interacting with each other, and their mother, if there are dog toys nearby, are the pups playing with them? Do the puppies show any interest in you, such as coming closer to give you a sniff? Healthy puppies are active, curious, and interested in the world around them.
Are the puppies relaxed and confident with the sight and sound of household appliances like the vacuum cleaner and kettle? Have the puppies heard noises associated with visitors, such as the doorbell ringing, and conversations? Do the pups get a chance every day to interact positively with people? Are they relaxed and confident being handled?
Bella Botsford
2025-08-19 08:55:44
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Good preparation is key. You can delve into the breeds and/ or origins of the dogs you have in mind. Check with different breeders before you buy a puppy. Become a member of an association and visit various activities where you can see dogs in action and ask other owners about their experiences. Always ask if you can see all the dogs of the breeder. Do they look healthy, well cared for and cheerful. Do they live in a clean and safe environment that offers the dog enough challenges. And, very important: Do the dogs behave the way you would like your future dog to behave. Ask breeders and owners about the downside of their breed. Some breeds aren’t friendly to all people, or not so tolerant towards other dogs. Not a single dog is perfect. A good breeder is worth waiting for: it’s nice to have someone you can always rely on and who can give you tips and tricks about coat care or training.
Deshaun Haag
2025-08-06 10:26:49
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: 16
To identify a good puppy, you can start testing as early as 7 weeks old, but testing between 3 to 4 months may yield more accurate results. Every pup in a litter is different, and where you find your puppy also impacts behavior. Figuring out a puppy’s potential helps to match it to the best owner and helps owners pick the perfect match. There are ranges of behaviors, of course, and some pups may be more or less shy or outgoing. But if the pup shows unprovoked aggression, panics and cannot overcome this, or exhibits strong avoidance, then that is a pup that may need more rehabilitation work or socialization than most owners can provide. You can perform simple puppy assessments for puppies over the age of 7 weeks old, such as testing for independent-mindedness, noise sensitivity, and people-friendliness. Temperament tests can measure a puppy’s stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness. Ask your breeder or shelter what temperament tests, if any, have been performed and the result. A good thing with these tests is that if you can recognize the potential for negative behaviors from assessment indicators, then you can diminish or negate these behaviors with interventions such as socialization and proper training.
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