In any breed of dog, it’s important to be able to identify signs of health and wellness in your dog. The best way to do this is by working with an experienced breeder who knows the standard physical appearance of the breed and can tell you whether your dog’s behavior and appearance indicate that he or she is healthy. If you choose to bring home a puppy from an online pet store or puppy mill, you won’t have access to someone like this, so you need to know how to assess your dog’s health yourself.

2. Introduction
In any breed of dog, it’s important to be able to identify signs of health and wellness
in your dog. The best way to do this is by working with an experienced breeder who
knows the standard physical appearance of the breed and can tell you whether your
dog’s behavior and appearance indicate that he or she is healthy. If you choose to
bring home a puppy from an online pet store or puppy mill, you won’t have access
to someone like this, so you need to know how to assess your dog’s health yourself.

3. Let’s Look at the 5 Checklist of identifying our Dog’s Health:
1) Refusing to eat
It’s important to pay attention to your dog’s eating habits. When dogs won’t eat, it could be
a sign of an underlying problem. Take your dog in for a checkup if you notice him refusing
his food or going longer than usual between meals. If he is refusing food, ask yourself these
questions: Is he hungry? Is he in pain? Does he have a stomach ache? Is his body rejecting
something new that I gave him?

4. 2) Lameness in limbs
Lameness in limbs can indicate anything from a simple injury to a more serious
medical problem. In either case, it’s always worth a trip to your vet, especially if it’s
not just one of your dog’s legs that’s affected.

5. 3) Excessive gas
Excessive gas is one of those dog health problems that, if ignored, can lead to more
serious ailments. When your dog is passing excessive gas, it may be a sign of irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or another gastrointestinal
disorder. If you notice your dog has loose stools and excessive gas on a regular basis,
take it to see its veterinarian immediately.

6. 4) Vomiting
Vomiting can be a symptom of several different health issues, but it’s often
indicative of gastrointestinal distress. If your dog vomits once or twice, don’t worry
too much; however, if your pup starts vomiting frequently, contact a veterinarian
immediately. Dogs with heartworm disease often vomit. Other signs that may
indicate gastrointestinal distress include diarrhea and anorexia.

7. 5) Loss of appetite
One of the most common signs that your dog may be sick is a loss of appetite.
Sometimes, dogs will eat even when they aren’t hungry just to fill their stomachs; if
your pet shows no interest in his food or is picky about what he eats, he may be
unwell. If you notice such changes in your dog’s eating habits, take him for a
checkup at a veterinary clinic as soon as possible.