Selection of Dogs

Unlike the horse it is un­fortunately almost impossible to tell the age of a dog after from six to eight months old. When the dog arrives on approval the first thing to do is examine his mouth. An animal with discolored, cankered, or decayed teeth should at once be re­jected, as these signs are indicative of ill-health or extreme old age. A healthy dog should have teeth white and clean, even up to eight or nine years old. An experienced person can distinguish at a glance the difference between puppy and adult teeth.

A favorite minor fraud in those breeds in which diminutive size is a coveted feature is to palm off a few-weeks-old puppy as a half or full-grown dog, and although such a crude deception would not for one instant mislead the expert it no doubt occasionally victimizes the novice. There is one sure guide on which the latter can always rely. An adult dog when he has acquired his full mouth has forty-two teeth; a puppy has only twenty-eight teeth in his milk set; so that by counting the teeth the difficulty vanishes.   

Some breeds get very gray about the muzzle after three years of age, and this and other slight indications are all that can be relied on to give us a hint that the animal is not the age he is represented to be.

The skin of the dog should be well searched to see that it is clean, i.e. free from lice. As it is almost impossible to get rid of these pests once they are thoroughly established it is inadvisable to buy a dog so infected. Round and on the ears, chest, etc., are the most important places to look. Fleas are comparatively harmless.

The feet of all dogs, but particularly sporting breeds, should be carefully examined, and if the animal is not thoroughly well haired between the toes it should be rejected. Further details are given on this point in the last chapter under "Sore feet." If a dog can pass these tests, is a good feeder, and in other respects meets his intending purchaser's requirements, we may presume that he will turn out a satisfactory animal.

dog - Yahoo! News Search Results
dog - Yahoo! News Search Results

Dog lying in traffic rescued by passerby
A one-year-old dog is injured but safe after an animal lover found her lying in traffic on the MacKay Bridge in Halifax.
Official: Dog starts Vancouver, Wash., house fire
Fire investigators say a dog inadvertently turned on a stove and started a fire that destroyed a house in Vancouver, Wash., early Saturday.
Westminster Dog Fashion Show 2012, New York, at the New Yorker Hotel
NEW YORK, Feb. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- The pet-friendly New Yorker Hotel ( www.NewYorkerHotel.com ) will welcome more than 200 dogs and owners as guests during the Westminster Dog Show next month.This ...
Peoria police: Dog allowed to nearly chew leg off
The dog was injured in a car accident about a year ago and nearly chewed its leg off, police said.
Bogus warden 'fining dog owners'
Dog owners are warned to be on their guard after reports that a bogus warden has been giving £50 on-the-spot fines to dog owners in Ramsgate.
Dog starts fire, destroys Wash. house
VANCOUVER, Wash., Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Vancouver, Wash., firefighters said they believe a dog started a fire that destroyed a house and left the dog dead.
Subaru "Dog Tested. Dog Approved.?" Campaign Returns with a New Pac...
CHERRY HILL, N.J., Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. today announced the return of its "Dog Tested. Dog Approved." campaign.  The venerable canine commercials return for a ...
Dog duct-taped and left to die
Dog duct-taped and left to die Times Union Copyright 2012 Times Union. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Published 12:02 a.m., Sunday, February 5, 2012 ARGYLE ? Shane Morehouse said he thought he was doing the right thing when he left a dying 10-year-old dog on the side of Coach Road Friday morning, its front and hind paws each ...
Dog's owners cop blame for shooting
The owners of a dog shot in the head in Taranaki have found blame for the incident turned back on them.
Does my dog really need daily walks?
I admire people who can complete a hectic day at the office, then hit the gym to exercise for an hour. For me, the perfect end to a busy day involves channel surfing with a cup of salted caramel ice cream and cuddle time with my dog Lulu. Alas, every vice has its price. No matter how many fun and fashionable colors I find, super stretchy yoga pants are not acceptable work attire.