- Are the puppy's parents “certified”?
- What are the individual sizes of the puppy's parents?
- Can I meet the entire litter?
- Can I meet the dog's parents?
- What preventative care do you provide to the parent dogs?
- Have the parent dogs had health problems?
What to know about a puppy before buying?
There are two main areas to focus on: physical health and behavioral health (personality). One of the things you pay a breeder for is their effort to minimize the likelihood that your puppy will end up with genetic problems found in the breed. A simple example is hip dysplasia in German Shepherds.
How do you tell if a puppy is healthy before you buy?
- Eyes: Should be bright and clear.
- Ears: Should be clean and free of discharge, odor and redness.
- Nose: Should be clean, without discharge or sores.
- Mouth: Should smell fresh.
- Coat: Should be shiny and clean.
- Weight: Active, playful puppies are rarely overweight.
What is the best way to pick a puppy from a litter?
- Talk to the owner. Ask about appetite and eliminations.
- Observe the litter mates in action. Do they all play together or is there a quiet one that retreats to a corner?
- Survey their overall appearance. Do the puppies' coats shine?
- Watch them move.