When purchasing your puppy in person, there are certain things you will want to look for to ensure that
the puppy you are buying is healthy. Here is a check list.
1- Does the puppy have a clean, shiny, smooth coat without any skin rashes or lessions?
2- Does the puppy have bright, clear, open eyes? Eyes should not have any discharge, be blood shot,
or have strange coloring or yellowness to the whites of the eyes. The puppy should not squint or rub at its eyes.
Take notice if the puppy acts like it sees properly.
3- Does the puppy have a healthy appetite if you are able to watch a feeding.
4- Does the puppy have bloody diarrhea or vomiting? These are warning signs of diseases such as coccidea,
giardia, or parvo.
5- Does the puppy have normal stools and regular urination? Remember that young puppies that have
been weaned recently will have softer stools than other puppies. Also puppies that are teething may have soft stools
also.
6- Does the puppy cough or gag? These can be signs of kennel cough or collapsing trachea.
7- Does the puppy continually lick the urinary tract opening? This could be signs of an
infection.
8- Does the puppy have thick, colored, mucousy drainage from the eyes, ears, rectal area or mouth.
These can also be signs of illness.
9- Does the puppy limp or jerk up one leg? These could be signs of hip or patellar problems.
10- Does the puppy's activity level seem normal? Remember that most puppies sleep for 2-3 hours at
a time. When puppies are awake they should be energetic and exploring their surrounding with enthusiasm.
11- Is the puppy playful and happy? Or are they weak and lethargic?
12- Does the puppy seem to be off on its own all the time? Puppies should be social and wanting to
play with their siblings. A little bit of autonomy is ok.
13- Does the puppy seem to have good body weight? Puppies should not look too skinny and ribs should
not be showing.
14- Does the puppy have a potbelly? This is a sign of worms. Remember this is hard to tell if
puppy has just had a meal. You need to see if the puppy has a continual potbelly look to them.
15- Is the puppy eating and drinking on their own? Remember that puppies wean at different ages
depending upon their mothers their breed and their size. Some are much faster than others. Breeders should never
sell a puppy that is not weaned.
16- Is the puppy eager to come up and meet you? If a puppy seems reserved and shy it might mean that
the puppies have not been properly socialized.
