Little World - How To Choose A Puppy ?

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	Checklist Before Getting A Dog
	HowTo Choose A Puppy
	Settling Your Puppy
	Breeds Talk
	FAQ

How To Choose a Puppy?

Go for the right place

Customer education, clean environment and healthy puppies- the key to the right place to choose a quality puppy. A reliable pet store would be ever ready to share its ideas on puppy welfare. Impulsive buying behaviour would be immediately discouraged by its staff. The
puppies would be up to date with its vaccination and deworming schedule. And the puppies would only be sold after its second vaccination. Every puppy would look relaxed with a comfortable resting area and of course, a nutritious diet.

Check the health status

No fleas. No ticks. No mites. No ringworm. No bald patches. No rashes. No pot-belly look. No excessive scratching. No lethargy actions. A healthy puppy is free from diseases. Its skin and coat is beautiful. And its eyes bright and alert.

Decide the sex

Male : more playful, more active and more independent. They develop the natural instinct to lift its hindleg to pee after the average 6-month-old. Such an act is known as marking territory. Males may also develop a natural male dominance over other dogs especially male dogs. They are sexually active throughout the year. This may be displayed with intensive mounting behaviour. Fortunately, good behaviour can stay for good when you suppress the unpreferred male attitude with early sterilization.

Female : more passive and more loving. They are generally more attached to the owner compared to the male dogs. Females come on heat twice a year. Heat is a term to describe the ovulation period where the females’ vulva secrete blood stains. This heat period may extend from 10-21 days depending on the natural cycle of the females. Females are vulnerable to sexual advances by the males during the later stage of their heat. Owners who are uncomfortable with the mess during heat period would usually sterilize their female dogs after 6-month-old.

So male of female? Actually, it is really up to individual preference. Really.

Know the breed

Are you really in love with the breed you are getting? Or just the looks? Looks may matter. But sometimes, the personality of the breed may matter more. Because once you have got the breed you want, you have to live with it and provide for its needs throughout its life. Every breed has its distinctive personality. Some may be more passive in nature. Some may be more

active and inquisitive. And others may be hyperactive almost round the
clock. For instance, if you prefer to stay indoors rather than to go for a walk,
a Toy Poodle will probably suits you more than a Jack Russell Terrier or
a Labrador. If you are the meticulous type who likes to groom long-haired dogs, perhaps a Shih Tzu or a Maltese may suit you. And if you have a tight financial status, you may like to consider the small to medium breed like a Minature Daschund or a Beagle instead of the large breed Border Collie or
a giant breed Alaskan Malamute. So whatever the breed you are planning
to get, take time to truly understand its needs such as its activity level, temperament, food intake and grooming requirements. Know the breed thoroughly. Get one that really suits your lifestyle- not just your image.

Face the full-grown

Size changes. A Labrador puppy may look small and cute when it’s less than 3-month-old. But a full-grown Labrador puppy will eventually grow up to the weight of 36kg and stand at around 62cm. As every dog needs its private den in your home, before you get your puppy, consider the space it needs when it’s full-grown. If space is a problem, then you may like to consider smaller breeds like a Toy Poodle, a Miniature Daschund or perhaps even the smallest dog in the world- a Chihuahua.