Owning dogs, in particular providing care for the portuguese pointer, is a specialty of humans across the globe. Some zoologists speculate that dogs were domesticated sometime between 12,000 and twenty five thousand years ago—and that dogs evolved from wolves. Since then, humans have selectively bred more than four hundred different breeds, which range in size from four-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, whose three-ft stature earns them the distinction of tallest dog. But the most widespread dogs are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The portuguese pointer is another popular choice among canine owners. Some owners are oblivious, however, of some common portuguese pointer care tips.
Typical health care cost for your portuguese pointer
The annual budget for raising the portuguese pointer—to include everything from meals, to vet bills, toys and license—can range between four hundred twenty and seven hundred eighty dollars. This figure doesn’t include capital expenses for sterilization procedures, a collar and leash, dog carrier and dog crate. Note: Be positive you have all the required items before you get your portuguese pointer home.
Basic portuguese pointer Care
Feeding your portuguese pointer
- portuguese pointer pups between eight and twelve weeks old need four meals in a day.
- Feed portuguese pointer puppies three to 6 months old 3 meals each day.
- Feed pups six months to 1 year two meals in a day.
- By the time your portuguese pointer makes his first birthday, one bowl in a day is sufficient.
- Sometimes adult portuguese pointers, however, do better with two smaller helpings. It’s your duty to adapt to your portuguese pointer’s eating habits.
High-quality dry dog food ensures balanced nutrition to grown portuguese pointers and may be mixed with water, broth, or canned food. Your portuguese pointer may dig cottage cheese, fruits and vegetables, and cooked eggs, but these foods should not be more than ten pct of his or her daily food. portuguese pointer puppies must be given premium-quality, brand-name puppy food. Please limit “table food”, though, because it can result in mineral and vitamin deficiencies, tooth and bone concerns, and might lead to extremely picky eating habits and obesity. Give fresh, potable water always, and make certain to clean water and food bowls very frequently.
portuguese pointer Care Tips: Your portuguese pointer needs physical activity daily
portuguese pointers need some daily physical activity in order to stay fit, stimulate their minds, and stay healthy. Physical activity also seems to help portuguese pointers fight boredom, which can lead to difficult behavior. Outside playtime can satisfy most of your portuguese pointer’s desires to chew, dig, chase, retrieve and herd. Exercise needs will vary based on your portuguese pointer’s level of health and his or her age—but ten minutes in back of the house and just a couple of walks around the block every day probably won’t cut it. If your portuguese pointer is a six to eighteen month adolescent, her requirements will probably be relatively higher.
portuguese pointer Grooming
Frequent brushing will help keep your portuguese pointer clean and reduce shedding. Inspect for fleas and ticks daily during the summer or other warm weather. Sometimes portuguese pointers don’t need a bath more than a few times during the year. Before a bath, comb or cut out all mats from the portuguese pointer’s coat. Carefully rinse all soap out of the coat, or dirt will stick to the soap residue.
How to Handle Your portuguese pointer
Pups, as opposed to adults, are obviously easier to manage. To carry your portuguese pointer pup, take 1 hand and put it under the dog’s chest, either with the forearm or other hand supporting his or her back legs and rump. Don’t ever try to grab or lift your puppy by his forelegs, tail or nape. When you have to lift a bigger, adult portuguese pointer, pick it up from underneath, bracing his or her chest with one of your arms and rump with your other arm.
Housing your portuguese pointer
portuguese pointers need a comfy quiet location to be able to relax apart from all the breezes and away from the ground or floor. You may wish to think about purchasing a doggie bed, or prefer making one from a wooden box. Place a clean blanket, comforter, sheet, or pillow inside the bed. Wash the portuguese pointer’s bedding often. If your portuguese pointer will be spending a lot of time outdoors, be certain she has access to shade and plenty of cool water in hot weather, and a covered, dry, warm area in winter.
Licensing and Identification for portuguese pointers
There are licensing regulations to heed in your area. Be certain to connect the license to your portuguese pointer’s collar. This, along with an ID tattoo or tag, can help secure your portuguese pointer’s return if she happens to go missing.
Information on portuguese pointer Temperament
Thoughts on Training your portuguese pointer
Well-behaved, companion portuguese pointers are a joy to own. But when left untrained, your dog can possibly be a pain. Training your portuguese pointer on the minimums—”Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, and “Leave it”—will strengthen the relationship with both your portuguese pointer as well as the neighbors. If you own a puppy, begin training her on the appropriate responses as soon as humanly possible! Use treats as an incentive and a reward. Puppies should commence obedience courses when they are sufficiently immunized. Call your community SPCA or humane society for obedience schools. It is best to walk your portuguese pointer on a leash while in public, even as a pup. Be certain your portuguese pointer will come back to you whenever you call him. An aggressive or disobedient portuguese pointer shouldn’t play with children.
Your portuguese pointer’s Health
Your portuguese pointer should see the veterinarian for a complete assessment, shots and heartworm screening every single year, and ASAP if he is hurt or ill.
The Oral Health of Your portuguese pointer
Although we might object to our portuguese pointer’s bad breath, it’s important to be aware of what it may be telling us. Foul breath is most commonly a symptom which means that your portuguese pointer needs an oral examination. Dental plaque , which is caused by bacteria causes a terrible smell that requires the help of a professional. After a professional dental cleaning, his mouth may be maintained by brushing regularly, feeding a special diet focused on dental health, and eliminating table food. Your vet can supply you with other guidance for eliminating periodontal disease and halitosis. You can easily brush the portuguese pointer’s teeth with a doggie paste or a paste made of baking soda and water twice weekly. Use a child’s soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon stocking stretched over your finger. Periodontal disease,which is an infection between the teeth and gums, sometimes affects portuguese pointers. This dreadful affliction can sometimes result in loss of your portuguese pointer’s teeth and spread disease to the body. The veterinarian will usually brush the portuguese pointer’s teeth during the regular health exam.
portuguese pointer Breath Gone Wild!
Even though halitosis due to oral disease might not be that serious if found early, some odors may also indicate fairly serious, long-term problems. Intestinal or liver diseases can also cause halitosis, while a pleasant, even fruity smell may often be indicative of diabetes. Kidney disease might be the reason if your portuguese pointer’s breath smells like ammonia or urine. Whenever you notice your portuguese pointer has smelly breath and other signs of disease, such as loss of appetite, vomiting or nausea, loss of weight, bad mood, too much urination and drinking, set up a visit to the doctor.
portuguese pointer Flea and Tick Issues
When it’s warm, it’s important for you to perform daily inspections of your portuguese pointer for ticks and fleas. Use a flea comb to find fleas. There are several new procedures of flea elimination. Talk with your portuguese pointer’s doctor about his or her recommendations.
portuguese pointers With Heartworm Issues
The heartworm is a parasite that lives in the heart and passes from an infested dog to your portuguese pointer by way of mosquitoes. Many portuguese pointers die yearly as a result of heartworm infestations. It is wise to give your portuguese pointer a heartworm screen every spring—this is required for detecting infections from the earlier year. A once-a-month tablet given during the warm, wet time of the year can protect your portuguese pointer. Your portuguese pointer should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. There are some areas, usually the regions with hotter temperatures, where the doctors recommend heartworm medication be used continuously.
Medications and Poisons
Please don’t give your portuguese pointer medicine that hasn’t been prescribed by her vet. One little ibuprofen tablet can possibly create stomach ulcers in portuguese pointers. Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your portuguese pointer. Be sure you call your dog’s vet if you believe your portuguese pointer has eaten poison. You should also call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for twenty-four hr. help.
portuguese pointers: Spaying and Neutering
It is recommended that male portuguese pointers should be neutered – the extraction of the testicles – and females spayed – the removal of the uterus and ovaries – by six months old. You can greatly diminish your female portuguese pointer’s breast cancer risk by spaying before maturity. Spaying also eliminates the possibility of a sick uterus, a traumatic issue in older females that demands surgery and intensive medical care. Neutering males eliminates the risk of testicular diseases, some hernias and certain aggressive behavior.
portuguese pointer Innoculating
- Your portuguese pointer puppy should be vaccinated with a combo vaccine (called the “5-in-one”) at two, three and four months of age, and then once every year. This vaccine protects your puppy from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. Your portuguese pointer must be vaccinated for at least the first four months of his life.
- If your portuguese pointer has not been innoculated and is older than four months, she will need 2 immunizations asap, 2 to three weeks apart. After that you must vaccinate every year.
- portuguese pointer puppy vaccination and socialization should go hand in hand. Many doctors recommend that new owners bring their portuguese pointer pups to socialization courses, beginning at 8 or 9 weeks old. At this point, they should have already received at least their first series of vaccines.
Laws are so varied between different areas, the best thing is to contact your community doctor for rabies innoculation details. For example, NYC regulations declare that pets older than 3 months be immunized for rabies. After the original vaccination, he must have a second vaccination the following year, and then every three years. There are a variety of immunizations that are effective for your portuguese pointer. Ask your portuguese pointer’s vet for his recommendation. Take note, if your portuguese pointer gets ill because she is not innoculated, the shots ought to be administered after your pet recovers.
Intestinal Parasites in portuguese pointers
portuguese pointers are often exposed to worms and possible infestation—even in urban areas. Eggs that carry intestinal worms are transmitted through a portuguese pointer’s stool. Even the healthiest of portuguese pointer puppies carry hookworms or roundworms. The key to treatment is early detection. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed treatment will be effective against your portuguese pointer’s worms. A dewormer that eradicates hookworms, for example, will not kill tapeworms. Your doctor can best identify the culprit—and prescribe the best treatment.
portuguese pointer Care Tips: Additional Info
Checklist of portuguese pointer Supplies
- High-quality dog food and snacks specifically for portuguese pointers and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water bowl
- As many safe toys as you can provide, especially chewable
- Comb and brush for grooming, including flea comb
- Collar with license and ID tag
- Leash
- Dog carrier (for pups)
- Training crate
- Dog bed or box with blanket or towel
- Dog toothbrush
The no-no list
The following items should never be fed to portuguese pointers:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Chocoloate or any food with caffeine
- Raisins and grapes
- Spoiled or moldy food of any kind
- Onions, chives or garlic
- Bones of chicken, turkey, or any other animal (choking hazard)
- Salt and salty foods
- Tomato leaves, unripe fruit & stems
- Yeast dough
Final Thoughts
Unless you are at home, or in a fenced-in, secured area, keep your portuguese pointer on a leash at all times. And please, when your portuguese pointer defecates on your neighbor’s lawn, take care of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about portuguese pointers
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