How to choose a dog?

Owning a dog is one of the simple things done in life and it can help you grow as you forge a bond with the dog. In as much as selection of a dog comes to play, you must realize that choosing the right dog can help you enjoy an amazing time. Before deciding on the dog to have, it is important to have some essentials checked to ensure that you lay a road that you will enjoy.

First off, you must choose a dog that you love, from the first impression you get. The dog that warms your heart most will in most cases be the best fit for you. Choosing a dog because of its traits and not necessarily a dog that you love is not a guaranteed method that you will love the dog. To get the best dog possible, take a few hours learning about the dog before settling on a final choice.

The health of the dog is also of paramount importance. Ensure that the dog has a checkup from the vet prior to taking them home. The importance of a checkup cannot be downplayed as it helps reveal any preexisting health conditions that it may have and the general status of health.

Another important parameter that you ought to learn about the dog is the history. Where is the dog from? How old is it? When were the last vaccinations done? How many times has it given birth? The more details you are able to gather about a dog, the higher the probability that you get to have an amazing relationship with the dog and understand it better.  If you are dealing with a puppy from a litter, the general history of the litter should suffice to give you an indication of what is required.

Before settling on the dog of choice, it is advisable to use your senses to make a determination on whether the choice is right or not. Some of the things that you ought to note is the temperament. An overly aggressive dog might be cumbersome if you are looking for a house dog. It is also advisable to check if there is any discharge coming off the nose or eyes.

The coat of the dog ought to be smooth with no scales on the skin. Hair shedding if any should be at a minimal. Also, a healthy dog would have a shiny looking hair coat, not one that is dull. External parasites such as fleas and ticks are also not desirable in a dog. Body odor should not be present in the dog. A body odor could point to a dog that has not had a wash for some time or a dog having a bacterial or even fungal infection. Bring to the attention of the vet any wheezing or coughing sounds as this could point to a pre-existing disease in the body. It is important to note that the heart beat of a puppy will normally be faster than that of an adult so if you note it, it is a sign that the puppy is in good health.

A dog’s behavior can also tell you if it is well. Among the warning signs that you should look out for include the gait of the dog. Different dogs have different gaits, so it is advisable to check on the actual gait for the specific breed of dog required. Other pointers to an impending problem include:

- Walking with a limp

- Lack of appetite

- Excessive aggressiveness

- Bleeding

- Constantly going round in circles

Having checked and verified that the dog passes through the mentioned steps, go ahead and choose the one that most appeals to you and your needs. Do make sure to continue their diet for a while, rather than making a drastic change to an all new diet when you get them.