When looking after your canine's health, you want the best vet for dogs, someone you can trust with all of your pooch's physical needs. Where do you begin? Whether you're a first-time pet parent or a long-time best friend who's relocating with the family, there are a few factors you should consider before committing to a practice.

Think about it like this: What would you look for in your medical doctor? You'd want an educated, well-practiced physician who's kind, respectful, and convenient. And although your doctor's office hours would need to meet your availability, they should also be willing to tend to matters during off-hours for emergency treatment. When searching for a new veterinarian, hold the possible pet practitioner to the same high standard you'd look for in your own physician. Here's how:

Ask a Friend

If you get a personal recommendation for a dog-oriented vet near you, you're more likely to feel comfortable bringing your dog there for treatment. By the same token, if that same friend isn't happy with their veterinarian, they surely wouldn't recommend them. In fact, an unhappy but dog-loving friend may even be equipped to warn you of numerous questionable doggy doctors in the area. Ultimately, a friend or family member who loves his or her dog vet—and is willing to share—is a vote of confidence that you will too.

Consider the Location

Is convenience the most important aspect of your dog vet search? Localize your search online to find a vet for dogs that's closest to your home or work. Once you've identified a few who are close to you, research their practice online to find out more about each one. Then test the trip for yourself: bumpy roads the whole way there? You may tolerate them, but it's the last thing a nervous dog should associate with this regular visit.

Ask Animal Shelters, Pet Stores and Breeders

Maybe you recently adopted a new dog. Congrats! Before walking out the door and into your new life together, ask the breeder or an employee of the shelter for their opinion on the best dog vet in the area. They've all worked with a number of vets for dogs, so they'll be able to give you their honest opinion on who's the best veterinarian for your home's newest member.

Spot Cleanliness

Make sure any veterinarian you are considering has a clean office. Exam rooms, for instance, should be washed and disinfected between all puppy patients. All equipment should be cleaned and sterilized if necessary, as well. Garbage should be removed regularly throughout the day, and all dog accidents should be taken care of as soon as they occur.

...And Organization

It's important that the dog vet's office be organized as well. All patient charts should be filed properly, with appointment scheduling done so people and animals aren't kept waiting for long periods of time. If you find that staff are doing too many things at once, it might be better to find a new vet whose office isn't too busy to give your dog their full attention.