How do I know if a puppy will remain healthy?
A healthy start begins with the choice of who you get your puppy. Top-notch breeders like the ones who regularly attend dogs shows keep up with the latest research about genetically transmitted defects or illnesses, and they are meticulous about selecting dogs whose parents and grandparents also have clean bills of health. To prevent passing bad genes on to the puppies in their lines, show breeders study a deep pedigree before selecting sires and dams to mate.I'm 46 years old and have attended dog shows this since I was 14. They same people are there, I remember them from when I was a kid. That means they have been selective breeding for over 30 years. Buy from them. If they breed unhealthy puppies, they won't win and it will be a waste of time, work and money. So, they don't breed unhealthy puppies. Show breeders don’t put two dogs together because they both have pretty colors. It is too expensive an endevore to leave to chance. They study it and if the puppies might have a eye, ear, hip or elbow problem, they just won't breed.
If you are adopting your puppy from a shelter or rescue organization, you can try to get as much information as possible about the puppy’s parents, but that isn't going to happen. Or they might lie to you.
If you want to take a chance on a shelter/rescue dog, make sure the puppy has had a thorough veterinary checkup, and get all the records that exist on any procedures or vaccines he has undergone since he came to the rescue. This will not help protect you from any number of genetic conditions that come up from age 1-5 years. Show breeders test for these genetic conditions, Shelters can't do that.
Boston Terrier FAQs . . .
