Responsible dog breeders produce quality dogs by protecting the gene pool of the breed. They will have their parent stock tested and certified to be free of inheritable genetic conditions that are known to be common to the breed. Before buying a puppy from a breeder, ask to see proof that the parent dogs have passed the appropriate genetic tests.

Some dog lovers prefer mixed breed dogs, believing they are healthier. The puppies of such parentage do tend to be healthier, since they are drawing on a wider gene pool. Unfortunately, the current obsession with [[“designer dogs”]], unscrupulous breeding driven by greed has resulted in a glut of unhealthy dogs. Require the same proof of genetic testing from a breeder of “designer dogs” that you would expect from a breeder of purebred dogs.

Before committing to adopt a puppy from the neighbor dog’s litter or any dog from an animal shelter, take the dog to a veterinarian. Your vet can evaluate the dog’s current physical condition and whether it may have any inheritable conditions, which may not be apparent until the dog is older.

Keep in mind that, like in humans, many medical problems can be controlled or eliminated with a healthy lifestyle, but they may also be expensive to treat! Consider whether your budget can afford it when you are considering adopting a dog with known health concerns.

The first signs of diabetes are increased urination and extreme thirst, and the dog may begin to lose weight even though his appetite remains good. He may become lethargic, unenthusiastic about play and exercise. Ask your veterinarian to give your dog a thorough examination if he begins to show signs of diabetes. Untreated, diabetes can lead to blindness, organ failure and death.

Treating your dog for diabetes almost always involves monitoring his blood sugar levels and giving daily insulin injections. Your vet will train you how to do this properly, and the experience is usually more unnerving for the owner than for the dog. Some dogs with diabetes may respond to oral therapy.

Injury, infection, an unhealthy lifestyle, or just wear and tear on the body can cause acquired heart diseases in dogs. Reduce your dog’s chances of getting heart disease by feeding him a proper diet, keeping his weight down, and making sure he gets plenty of exercise to keep him feeling young and active.

Different types of heart disease have different symptoms, but generally a dog with any type of heart disease will become unwilling to play or exercise like he used to. He may pant at rest or have a dry cough. Loss of weight and poor appetite are also common symptoms of heart disease in dogs. Take your dog to the veterinarian for an evaluation if he has any of these symptoms or has other unusual changes in behavior.