If you’ve been thinking about getting a new dog then you’re not alone – Kennel Club figures show that the number of people looking for puppies surged by around eight per cent since the start of the global pandemic.
There are 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or crossbreed.
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No matter what type of dog you choose to welcome into your home though, you'll be hoping to have a happy, contented and healthy pet.
And, while pooches can’t say ‘I feel great’ out loud, they have numerous types of behaviour to let you know.
Here are 10 things your dog does that means they are fit and healthy.
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![A healthy dog will have regular and consistant poos and pees. Poo should be free of blood, mucus or a greasy coating, while pee should be a clear straw-yellow colour.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjgyNmViZDEzLTJhZTEtNGVkOS04NjQzLTIwYmY0ODE1Yzk3MzoyMWEyMGIyOS01ZmM1LTRlZGMtOGFmMC1kNzE3OTQ1YWU1OGQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
5. Keeping it regular
A healthy dog will have regular and consistant poos and pees. Poo should be free of blood, mucus or a greasy coating, while pee should be a clear straw-yellow colour. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![It tends to be the case that a hungry dog is a healthy dog and one of the first signs of many health issues is a lack of appetite - unless your pooch is a naturally fussy eater. The exceptions are diabetes and disorders of the thyroid and adrenal glands that can cause dramatically increased hunger and thirst.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjI5ZGU0N2ViLWFkNDEtNDhkMS04MjlmLTA0NWFmYTRlNzFiYzpjOWE0ZDYxMS0yZDc5LTQ1NGMtODIzZC04ODU4ZWUxYmNjYjU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
6. A good appetite
It tends to be the case that a hungry dog is a healthy dog and one of the first signs of many health issues is a lack of appetite - unless your pooch is a naturally fussy eater. The exceptions are diabetes and disorders of the thyroid and adrenal glands that can cause dramatically increased hunger and thirst. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![Maintaining a moderate weight shouldn't be much of an issue for a healthy dog - both being under and overweight leads to a myriad of health concerns. It's sometimes hard for owners to judge whether their dog is shedding or putting on the pounds so a regular weigh-in is the best way to monitor it.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjkxNzQ0OWNiLWFhOGItNGI1Yy1iYzk5LWYxMjI0OGU1M2ExNDpiYmI3Mjg2MC1mYWEzLTQ0MDktODg4Yi00MzAwZmQ3MDRiZTk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
7. A moderate weight
Maintaining a moderate weight shouldn't be much of an issue for a healthy dog - both being under and overweight leads to a myriad of health concerns. It's sometimes hard for owners to judge whether their dog is shedding or putting on the pounds so a regular weigh-in is the best way to monitor it. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
![Dogs are naturally sociable - particularly with their beloved owners. Your pooch should be engaged with you, welcoming you to the door and interested in what you're up to. If they're slumped in their bed and not alert to their surroundings then something is up.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjM1Y2YwNmFmLTNlODgtNGYzNC1hNTBhLWM3NTVjYTIxMzM0Yjo0NjhhNTQ4OS1lOTUxLTQzYzMtODk2YS03NGZjMDBkZTMxNDg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
8. Alert and interested
Dogs are naturally sociable - particularly with their beloved owners. Your pooch should be engaged with you, welcoming you to the door and interested in what you're up to. If they're slumped in their bed and not alert to their surroundings then something is up. Photo: Canva/Getty Images