Choosing A Healthy Puppy

According to recent ASPCA research figures, the cost of keeping a dog is somewhere between $700 and $900 per year. For a medium-size dog who lives around 15 years that works out at a total cost of approximately $12,000 over his/her lifetime (give or take$1500 or so!).

Now, that's a lot of money in anyone's books, but if you get a sickly pup who needs an above average amount of veterinary care those figures could end up being significantly higher. A puppy who isn't well bred and properly taken care of may cost less to begin with, but he (or she) will end up costing you a lot MORE in the long run!

And there's more to consider than just the financial cost. If the pup you choose isn't strong and healthy, the heartache of watching him suffer (or even die) is a high price to pay, especially when children are involved.

I want to make I'm going to give you some tips and advice to help you pick a healthy puppy out of that litter of adorable little faces.

Make the right choice!

• A sturdy body
  A healthy puppy should have a strong, sturdy, compact little body. Obviously small breed puppies will be more dainty, but he shouldn't look thin/bony and his belly shouldn't look distended and out-of-proportion with the rest of him (this can mean he has a worm problem)


• Clean, shiny coat
  A puppys' coat should be clean, and shiny. With no bare spots or red irritated areas. These indicate skin problems/allergies/mange etc. If he's been outside playing and has a little mud on him, that's okay, but a dirty, matted or coarse coat can mean worms - or improper care.


• Clear eyes and nose
  A healthy puppy has clear, bright eyes and there shouldn't be any discharge from his nose. A healthy puppy shouldn't cough either.


• Clean ears
  Your puppy's ears should be clean inside, with no sign of redness , irritation or discharge. A bad smell from his ears, or constant scratching at them or head-shaking are a red flag for ear mites, infection and so on.


• Firm stools
  Healthy puppies should pass firm, regular stools. Diarrhea can be an indication of one of several very serious puppy illnesses. When you're choosing a healthy puppy, be sure your puppy's little 'bottom area' is clean, with no signs of loose stools. Also you want to avoid a puppy who constantly licks at his genital area, this could mean a urinary tract infection


• Lively, energetic behavior
  Obviously all puppies are different in this area, but you don't want a puppy who seems lethargic or listless. A pup who just seems a little more shy than his litter-mates is probably perfectly healthy, but one who is disinterested in you and his surroundings could be sick.

Welcome home!

If you've bought a purebred puppy of show/work/breeding quality, you will probably have signed a contract with the breeder. Part of this contract will most likely have a clause that requires you to have your puppy seen by your own vet within a certain period (usually 2-3 days) of receiving him/her.

It's in your best interests to do this, if you should find that your pup is sick, or shows any signs of hereditary/genetic faults or weaknesses most breeders will take the puppy back and give you a replacement pup, or even a refund. This will depend upon the individual breeders contract though, so read the small print!

Choosing a healthy puppy is fairly straightforward when you have the litter underfoot, but many people today buy purebred puppies online. Although the majority of breeders are honest and ethical, this method of sale obviously leaves room for unscrupulous people to exploit the system. In these cases, the veterinary check-up recommended above is absolutely vital to ensure that you have a healthy puppy.

Keeping your puppy healthy

New puppy parents can find raising a puppy almost as worrying as raising a baby! I'd recommend checking out my Bringing Home A New Puppy page to learn all about what to expect during the first few days with your new pup.

You can also find the answers to many of the most common questions can be found on my Puppy FAQs Page, also find out more about Puppy Health, Puppy Shots, Puppy Behavior, Dog Illnesses and Puppy Kibble.

My Site Index lists every page on my website, and is a great way to find exactly what you need to know.

But, you'll still have times when you're worried about your puppy's health, and need a bit of direction and another opinion! Questions such as -

• Is it normal for him to sleep this much?


• What do I do if he has diarrhea?


• Why is he coughing?

... and many more, may send you scurrying off to the veterinary surgery needlessly. It's always better to err on the side of caution, but it can be tricky to know when something is important and when it's not.

Certain signs or behaviors can indicate more than one condition, and it's important to be able to spot little problems before they turn into big ones! It's also important to know when you can 'wait and see', potentially saving you an unnecessary $60 vet visit fee!

To help you in these situations, there's now another option here on this site....

..... my Ask A Vet page. You'll find an opportunity to get an expert, professional opinion on health issues for a fraction of the cost of a clinic visit.

(Of course, if your puppy is really sick, or is injured, it's important to find an in-the-flesh vet right away!)

Finally... no matter how much effort you put into choosing a healthy puppy, or how well you take care of your him/her, accidents and illness can (and do) happen. They even happen to the most pampered of pups!

If your puppy should be injured or fall seriously ill, the cost of vital veterinary care can be HUGE! To ensure that you don't end up declaring bankruptcy in order to save little Fido's life, take out Pet Dog Health Insurance coverage on your precious pooch as soon as possible.

There are good plans available for less than most of us spend on our morning coffee every month.. that's a small price to pay to potentially save your puppy's life don't you think?

Choosing A Puppy

Choosing The Right Breed Of Dog

Bringing Home A New Puppy

Best Dog Breeds For Children

Ask A Vet

Choosing A Veterinarian

Pet Health Insurance

Puppy Health

Puppy Shots

Puppy Hair Loss

Extra Large Breed Dogs

Feeding A Puppy

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