How do you know your dog is Healthy ???

When talking to other dog owners and reading what people say about their dogs, I often hear the phrase ...

"My dogs are Happy and Healthy" !

I can understand that dogs behave in ways that let us know they are happy, but as none of the people usually making this comment are Vets etc, how does anyone know if their dog is Healthy ?

It's obvious to most when they are ill of course, but I'm talking about general well being !

Do you know what to look for ?
Do you scrutinise anything ?
Do you know what you are comparing ?
What are you comparing to (if anything) ?
Describe how you think you know your dog IS in fact Healthy ?

....and don't be general and say..... Coat !! Every dog has one, merely keeping their fur does not make them healthy

I know mine are healthy from the vets. After finding a tumour on Storm when almost to late mine have check-ups at the vets all the time just so they can find anything.

That's interesting !

Do you have 6 monthly x-rays or bloods done to verify what the vet says ?

BAR (bright alert responsive)good appetite,clean and shiny coat,wet nose,normal temp,normal BMs,normal activity level
= healthy dog

When you say shiny coat, do you mean for a GSD ?

It's a general question because a shiny coat in many breeds would be a bad thing and probably mean something could be missing from the diet !

As a matter of fact Star does.

The others no as I trust what the vet says. And if that means i wont know for sure then I dont know.
Why dont you let all of us know how you would know?

of they wasnt healthy wouldnt they show it?

my cats ill and always shows it when he isnt well, but when he is ok his fine?!

we have 7 dogs all different breeds all shiny coats all healthy dogs,which breeds are not supposed to have shiny coats

I would say Jamie was healthy, his coat is in condition, his eyes bright, his active (not hyper... well only before a run ) his wee and poo normal (except on certain foods... seperate thread!) his lean and muscled and the vet and breeder and myself are pleased with him.... I think if he unhealthy it would show....?

Poodle coats don't really 'shine' due to the nature and texture but I check to make sure the coats aren't scurffy, that the dogs are a good weight, their eyes are clean and bright and that their poos are good!
Becky