Dog Buying Guide: 12 Signs to Avoid When Choosing a Puppy

Dog Buying Guide: 12 Signs to Avoid When Choosing a Puppy

Every dog lover hopes to own a healthy, lively, and energetic canine companion. However, some seemingly insignificant traits during the selection process can actually indicate potential health problems, affecting the dog's future quality of life. Therefore, understanding which dogs to avoid is crucial to preventing the purchase of problematic dogs and creating a brighter future for both you and your furry friend.

1. Mental State: Be Wary of "Down in the Dumps" Dogs

When purchasing a dog, don't rush to pick it up and examine it. Instead, observe its movement and posture quietly. Dogs that are listless, like "dogs in mourning," often have poor health conditions, possibly due to illness or psychological issues. These dogs require professional care and may not fulfill your pet expectations.

2. Weight: Exercise Caution with Obese or Pot-Bellied Dogs

Overweight or pot-bellied dogs may have nutritional imbalances or digestive problems. Obesity increases the risk of chronic conditions like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other diseases in dogs. Pot-bellied dogs may experience indigestion, parasitic infections, or other illnesses.

3. Fur: Matted or Shedding

Dogs with matted or significantly shedding fur may have skin problems such as fungal infections, parasitic infections, or malnutrition. These issues might require professional treatment and could affect the dog's health and appearance.

4. Nose: Dry or Runny

Dry or runny noses in dogs might be a sign of colds or other respiratory illnesses. These diseases often require prompt treatment to prevent complications.

5. Eyes: Excess Whites, Cloudy Eyes, or Discharge

Dogs with excessive whites, cloudy eyes, or excessive discharge in the corner of the eye often have eye conditions like keratitis, conjunctivitis, or cataracts. These conditions can affect the dog's vision and even lead to blindness.

6. Ears: Odor, Scales, or Frequent Shaking

Ear canals with an odor, scales on the ear tips, or frequent ear shaking in dogs could indicate otitis externa, which can be caused by bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections. Otitis externa can cause pain and itching and requires prompt treatment.

7. Mouth: Healthy Gums and Tongues Should Be Pink

In healthy dogs, gums and tongues should be pink. Bad breath in dogs could be a sign of periodontal disease, oral ulcers, or indigestion. Periodontal disease can cause swollen gums, bleeding, and even tooth loss, significantly impacting the dog's eating and health.

8. Skin: Hard, Thick Patches

Hard, thick skin patches in dogs could be a sign of skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis, or fungal infections. These diseases can lead to itching, hair loss, and pain in dogs and require prompt treatment.

9. Area Under the Tail: Watch Out for "Yellow Stains"

Pay close attention to the area under the dog's tail. If there are "yellow stains," it's a sign of recent diarrhea or dysentery. These dogs may have digestive problems, and their bowel movements should be monitored. Avoid purchasing such dogs.

10. Bones: Deformities in the Skull, Spine, and Limbs

Check for deformities in the skull, upper jaw, lower jaw, and along the cervical vertebrae towards the back of the neck when feeling the spine and limb bones. If you notice any deformities, it's advisable to refrain from purchasing. Bone deformities can lead to mobility issues, pain, and inflammation, affecting the dog's quality of life.

11. Paw Pads: Dry and Hard

Dry and hard paw pads in dogs could be due to nutritional deficiencies or skin conditions. Dry paw pads can cause pain and difficulty walking in dogs and require prompt treatment.

12. Temperament: Easily Startled

Dogs that are easily startled may be overly sensitive or have psychological problems. These dogs may struggle to adapt to a home environment, easily experience anxiety, fear, or aggression, and require professional training and care.

Conclusion

When choosing a dog, focus on more than just its appearance. Carefully observe its movements, posture, fur, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, skin, bones, paw pads, and temperament. Don't blindly trust what the seller says. Observe the dog's health condition carefully to avoid buying a problematic dog.

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