What to Look for in a Healthy Pitbull

Over the past few years, pitbulls have gotten a bad and completely false reputation for being a violent and difficult breed to train. But as more pitbull advocacy groups have been educating others on the truth, more people are starting to accept them again. Pitbulls are becoming more popular in the United States, and there are plenty of people that are looking for a sweet pitbull puppy or dog as a pet. 

Picking a pet is like a making any other major purchase; you need to make an informed decision in order to ensure a companion that you'll be happy with. Some people simply see pitbulls for sale and pick out the first dog they think is cute, but judging your potential pet on cuteness alone can lead to problems in the future. If you want a loving and healthy pet, look for these traits when you pick out your pitbull:

Appearance

There's nothing more heartbreaking than adopting a pet, and then realizing that it has a dangerous and difficult medical problem. You don't need to be a trained vet to see signs of health and vigor in a dog, and there are a few telltale signs of health problems that are easy to spot. The dog or puppy's eyes should be clear and clean, they shouldn't look bloodshot, yellow, runny, or very crusty. Their coat should look shiny, and have no missing patches of fur or sores (those can be signs of mange, fleas or other skin problems). Look at their stomachs for signs of extreme swollenness. A little pot belly or some chubbiness is normal on a puppy or dog, but an abnormally large stomach can be a sign of worms. 

Temperament

Judging a dog's usual disposition can be a little tricky. When dogs see potential owners they can get very excited and act a little more rambunctious than usual, so you shouldn't view this enthusiasm as a sign that your dog is going to be constantly bursting with energy. In fact, a happy and excited dog is a good sign that you've picked a pooch that will love spending time with you and your family. What you should look out for are signs of abnormal aggression. A dog that cowers in a corner may be a little shy, but a dog that immediately snaps at you or growls may be too aggressive for your tastes.

General health

Making sure that your chosen dog appears healthy when you see them is easy, but finding out about past health issues that could lead to future problems may require a little digging. Ask if the dog you're interested in has had any past health or dental problems that you should know about. A little infection or cold isn't much to worry about, but if you notice recurring symptoms and visits to the vet, that could be a sign that a dog is prone to certain problems. Also, find out what vaccinations they have already had, and arrange to get them caught up on anything they may need as soon as you adopt them.