Questions to Ask

What To Look For When Making Your Final Selection

Clearly, your final selection of a dog will be the most important step you take toward a happy future together. You are choosing a living, breathing animal who will hopefully spend the rest of its life with you and your family. To help make this important choice a successful one, try to spend some quality time with the dog you are considering, and carefully observe the following traits:

Personality -: How does the dog respond to you? He should be alert and reasonably accepting of your attention (unless of course you desire an aggressive dog, for reasons of personal protection). Remember though, this is the first time he is meeting you, and he has no idea why you are interested in him. Some level of apprehension on his part is understandable and quite acceptable, as long as he warms up to you after a little handling. The dog should show some response to your voice and hand gestures. A dog that is overly shy or overly aggressive may have difficulty in adapting to a new home, and may require special attention and training.
Movement -: A dog should be alert and fairly active. Observe him as he walks, and determine if there is any hesitation or limp. Does he seem to have good balance and coordination? Does he move easily, or does he walk very little then lie down as if he is tired and uninterested in you?
Physical Inspection -: As much as the dog will allow it, try to examine him from nose to tail. Are the eyes and ears clear? All teeth should be in place, and the gums should be pink and healthy. The dog's coat should be clean and shiny, with no bare spots. If you are considering a puppy, check his belly for any bulges which could be the sign of a hernia; or bloating, which might be a sign of worms. Examine the dog's stance when standing still. Are his legs straight, or does he seem to favor any particular leg that might be painful? Determine from the seller exactly what type of shots and veterinary care the dog has had.

If you have any doubts about the physical condition of a dog you are considering, you have the right to have this animal examined by a competent veterinarian of your choosing. In some instances, a dog may have a small problem such as ear mites. A veterinarian would be able to assure you that this is an easily treatable condition, that should not deter you from buying this dog.

If you are considering a purebred dog, you should be presented with registration papers which will need to be completed and mailed to the American Kennel Club. Also, be sure to clearly discuss any guarantees or return policies before you purchase a dog, and get a copy of these policies in writing.

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