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| Sunday, 15 January 2006 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Choosing a new puppy It's a new year! A good time to get a new pet! Isn't it? There is no doubt that many of you who do not have pets will be looking forward to getting a pet..at least during this year. There are several important facts that should be considered before getting a pet. Dr. D. A. U. Samankumara B.V.Sc of Kirindiwela Animal Clinic will tell you how to select a good puppy, as well as give you a few tips on taking care of the new puppy.
When getting a new pet, there is one golden rule you should take into consideration. Make sure you and all your family members are animal lovers. There are many instances where only the pet owner loves animals, and the rest of the family do not like having a pet in the house. What happens then is when you are not around, the poor animal will be neglected or even ill-treated. So, we know you love pets, but make sure you get a positive response from your family before getting that puppy you always wanted. Choosing a puppy should be done carefully. Here too, your family plays an important role. Large families or families with toddlers should not get fierce dogs such as Dalmatians or Rottweilers. Pomeranians are the ideal pets for such families, especially those with kids. A common mistake made by many pet owners is building a dog kennel after getting the puppy. If you are planning to have a puppy and know what breed you want to get, it is better to build the kennel before you get the puppy. This way, you will not have to keep your puppy in small cardboard boxes. If you already have a pet and are planning for another one, make sure you deworm and vaccine all current pets before getting the new pet. If they are ill, make sure they get proper treatment before the new pet arrives. Always buy or get the puppy from an experienced breeder. If you do not have a sound knowledge about the breed and puppies, get the help of an experienced person so that you can get a good puppy. Make sure your puppy has all the qualities of the breed you desire to have, such as colour, body shape, face as well as paws. The best age to get a puppy is when it is six to eight weeks. By then, most puppies are dewormed and immunised for parvo and also trained to have meals other than milk. The puppy should be clean, plump, healthy and in good condition. Make sure it has a cold wet nose. A good shiny coat, bright clear eyes and being free from ticks and fleas are a few other signs of a healthy puppy. The texture and colour of the coat can be best judged when the puppy is about four months of age. In some cases, this may occur only after the second change of coat, when the puppy is about 8-10 months. Always remember, loose hair, skin rashes or discoloured coats are signs of unhealthy animals. A light skin colour and light eyes also say the puppy is not healthy. Some pups such as Germen Shepherds get their ears erect at four weeks of age. This may occur even earlier, but is not desirable. Others get them as late as 8-10 months of age. The tail too is very helpful when selecting a puppy. The tail should not be too long or too short. Make sure the tail is not twisted. Puppies who are active and has broad thighs are healthy. The nose should be moist and cold to the touch. The teeth should be clean and the tongue, deep pink and clear. The eyes should be bright and free from film or discharge of any kind. See that the skin is healthy with no signs of patches, scrubs and irritation. Watch the puppy move. See if it stands and walks straight and sound on all its limbs. Watch the feet to check the pad and claw. The toes should be strong and compact. A puppy should always be plump, active, bright and friendly. - CNK
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