Choosing the puppy for your kids

To be able to select the puppy you want, you should go fully armed with knowledge about the breed. That is your most potent weapon. The requisite knowledge could be acquired from breed specific books, dedicated magazines, internet, dog shows and by interacting with various breeders.
The right age for picking up a puppy is debatable but is mostly agreed that it should be between six to eight weeks. Prior to six weeks, it is too early to separate a puppy from his litter mates and after eight weeks it is considered late. The age between six to eight weeks is considered to be very crucial for development and puppies must be adequately socialized and exposed to the environment they are likely to face later on.
Always insist upon seeing all the puppies even if some of them are already spoken for.

This will give you an idea about the over all quality and health standard of the litter. Do not select a puppy just because it is the biggest in size or is the healthiest. Look for a ‘typey‘ puppy i.e. the one who looks like a true representative of the breed when its conformation (body proportions/features) is checked against the breed specifications or even compared with its parents. It is always better to go in for an extrovert puppy who is playful and happy to meet you. Avoid picking up a puppy who cowers in a corner when approached. Having selected a typey and an outgoing puppy, examine it minutely for any sign of sickness or injury. If this puppy is alert, active, has bright clean eyes and a shining coat free of parasites, you should not look any further…..this is the puppy you want.

By this time the breeder should have briefed you about deworming, vaccination and the feeding schedule. Remember to collect the Vaccination Card, Registration Certificate, Ownership Transfer Form duly signed and the Diet Chart. Also check when the next meal is due. Normally most breeders will also give you puppy food sufficient for a couple of meals.

Dogs are highly intelligent and extremely social animals and they love human company. They however need to be looked after and guided like children during their development stage so as to grow up to be sensible and responsible adults. They love freedom and nothing could be more demeaning and torturous than keeping them chained for prolonged period of time.