Giving A Yorkshire Terrier Puppy A New Home

If you are insistent with adopting a puppy, the following recommendations will help you in picking the one that matches you and your needs. Look for a dog with a clean bill of health. Sure, puppies develop diseases as they grow into mature dogs. Still, a clean bill of health should be the first thing you should look for in a potential would-be puppy.

Some telltale clues that the puppy has or does not have any physical problems are:

• Nose and eyes – These should be clean and clear of any debris that is associated with sickness such as mucus. These should also look healthy.
• Coat – The coat should have a polished, thick look. It should also have no patches of skin or thin fur.
• Belly – A swollen or persistently pot-bellied abdomen needs veterinary assessment. Parasites are one possible cause, but appearance alone is not a diagnosis; Cornell explains how stool testing can detect roundworms.
• Ongoing illness – Ask a veterinarian to assess any ongoing illness and explain the likely treatment, long-term care needs and prognosis before adoption. A chronic condition does not automatically mean treatment cannot help; Cornell describes conditions that can benefit from individualized medical or surgical care. Check if the puppy is socialized. Most puppies are energetic and take pleasure in playing around with their owners and other dogs.

A brief handling session cannot reliably classify a puppy as aggressive or untrustworthy. Discomfort with touch can reflect fear, stress or pain. Let the puppy approach willingly, ask the caregiver about behavior over time, and discuss concerns with a veterinarian or qualified behavior professional. Tufts recommends veterinary assessment of concerning behavior. Check out the puppy’s breed. The puppy’s breed often determines its general trait when it’s fully grown.

What you want is a breed that matches your personality.

If you are the type of person who loves to go out, you should get a breed that is good for outdoor activities. If you just want a dog for long-term companionship, you should look for mid-sized companion dogs. Toy and lap dogs are the best choices if you are looking for a small dog that you can bring with you to most places. You should also check whether the puppy is purebred or mixed bred. It is often hard to identify a purebred or mix bred puppy, but try to use the source as an indicator. There are rescue groups that are breed specific, there are those that are aren’t.

Most animal shelters foster mutts and purebred alike. Be sure to ask for information about the puppy’s breed before you give it a new home.