Owning dogs, especially providing care for the german wirehaired pointer, is a specialty of humans across the globe. Some historians believe that dogs were domesticated between twelve thousand and 25,000 years ago—and that dogs evolved from wolves. Since then, we have selectively bred more than 400 breeds, which range in size from four-pound teacup poodles to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the distinction of the tallest dog. But the most popular pooches are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The german wirehaired pointer is another popular choice with canine owners. Some owners are oblivious, however, of many of the most critical german wirehaired pointer care tips.
Typical cost of care for the german wirehaired pointer
The annual budget for providing for the german wirehaired pointer—to include everything from meals and snacks, to veterinary care, toys and license—can range between $420 and seven hundred eighty dollars. This is not even including capital expenses for sterilization surgery, dog collar and a leash, carrier and dog crate. Note: Be positive you have all of the required items before getting your german wirehaired pointer home for the 1st time.
General german wirehaired pointer Care
german wirehaired pointer Feeding Plan
- german wirehaired pointer puppies between 8 and 12 weeks old need four meals in a twenty-four hour period.
- german wirehaired pointer pups 3 to 6 months old should be fed 3 meals daily.
- Feed pups six months old to one year old two times each day.
- By the time the german wirehaired pointer reaches his first birthday, one meal every twenty-four hours is sufficient.
- Sometimes german wirehaired pointers, however, do better with two smaller helpings. It’s your responsibility to learn your german wirehaired pointer’s eating habits.
Premium-quality dry food ensures a balanced diet to full-grown german wirehaired pointers and can mix with broth, water, or canned food. Your german wirehaired pointer may dig cottage cheese, cooked egg, fruits and vegetables, but these additions should be less than 10 percent of his daily food intake. german wirehaired pointer pups must be given excellent-quality, brand-name puppy food. Try to cut down on “table food”, though, because it can result in mineral and vitamin deficiencies, tooth and bone problems, and might cause extremely picky food choices and obesity. Give fresh, clean water only, and be certain to wash water and food bowls frequently.
german wirehaired pointer Care Tips: Your german wirehaired pointer needs exercise daily
german wirehaired pointers must get daily physical activity in order to stay in shape, stimulate their brains, and stay healthy. Daily activity also really helps german wirehaired pointers avoid boredom, which would often lead to naughty behavior. A little fun and games would curb most of your german wirehaired pointer’s instinctual urges to dig, retrieve, chase, chew and herd. Exercise needs depend on your german wirehaired pointer’s level of health and her age—but merely a walk around the block every day and 10 minutes in back of the house probably won’t be sufficient. If your german wirehaired pointer is a 6 to 18 month adolescent, her requirements will be much greater.
german wirehaired pointer Grooming Tips
Regular brushing will help keep your german wirehaired pointer clean and reduce shedding. Inspect for fleas and ticks every day during the summer or other warm weather. Most german wirehaired pointers don’t need to be bathed more than a few times during the year. Before a bath, comb or cut out all mats from the german wirehaired pointer’s coat. Rinse all soap out of the coat, or the dirt will stick to soap residue.
Handling Your german wirehaired pointer
Puppies, as opposed to adults, are obviously easier to manage. When carrying the german wirehaired pointer puppy, take one of your hands and put it beneath the dog’s chest, with either your forearm or other hand supporting his hind legs and rear. Don’t attempt to lift or grab your puppy by the forelegs, tail or nape. When you have to lift a bigger, full-grown german wirehaired pointer, lift from the underside, holding his or her chest with 1 of your arms and rump with the other.
german wirehaired pointer housing
german wirehaired pointers need a warm peaceful place to be able to rest away from all the breezes and away from the floor or ground. You might want to purchase a dog bed, or make one out of a wooden box. Put a clean comforter or pillow inside the bed for cushioning. Wash the german wirehaired pointer’s bed covering often. If the german wirehaired pointer will be outdoors often, be certain he has access to shade and plenty of cool water in hot weather, and a dry, covered, warm area in winter.
german wirehaired pointer Identification
Heed the city’s licensing rules. Be certain to affix the license to your german wirehaired pointer’s collar. The license, along with an identification tag, can help you recover your german wirehaired pointer should he become lost.
german wirehaired pointer Behavior Information
About Training the german wirehaired pointer
Well-behaved, companion german wirehaired pointers can truly be a a joy. However, when left untrained, your dog can easily be nothing but trouble. Training your german wirehaired pointer on the minimums—”Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, and “Leave it”—will improve the relationship with both your dog as well as your relatives. If you own a pup, begin teaching him the appropriate responses as soon as humanly possible! A treat can be utilized as a lure and recognition. Puppies should begin obedience courses when they have been sufficiently vaccinated. Contact the local humane society or SPCA for information on obedience courses. Always walk your german wirehaired pointer leashed when, even as a pup. Just be certain your dog will come to you every time you call her. An aggressive or disobedient german wirehaired pointer shouldn’t play with kids.
german wirehaired pointer Health
german wirehaired pointers should see the vet for a complete check-up, vaccinations and a heartworm blood examination annualy, and as soon as possible when she is ill or hurt.
Your german wirehaired pointer’s Oral Health
While many of us may simply dislike our german wirehaired pointer’s bad breath, it’s important to be aware of what it may be telling us. Bad breath is a sign that your german wirehaired pointer is in need of an oral check up. Dental plaque triggered by unhealthy bacteria results in a foul stench that can only be freshened with treatment by a professional. Once you have given your german wirehaired pointer a cleaning from a professional, the gums and teeth can be kept up by brushing the teeth regularly, feeding a specially formulated dental diet and treats, and avoiding table scraps. Your vet can provide you with additional tips on eradicating periodontal problems as well as halitosis. You can clean your german wirehaired pointer’s teeth using a doggie toothpaste or a homemade baking soda and water paste twice weekly. You can brush them with a nylon stocking stretched over the finger, a sterile gauze pad, or a child’s soft toothbrush. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, sometimes affects german wirehaired pointers. This painful affliction will sometimes result in loss of your german wirehaired pointer’s teeth and also propagate infections to his body. Your vet usually will brush your german wirehaired pointer’s teeth during his regular health evaluation.
german wirehaired pointer Halitosis
If your german wirehaired pointer has foul breath, periodontal disease might just be the tip of the iceberg as far as his health issues. A fruity, even pleasant smell can frequently be a sign of diabetes, while diseases of the intestines or liver may cause foul breath. Kidney disease is a possible reason when your german wirehaired pointer’s breath smells of ammonia or urine. Set an appointment with a veterinarian whenever your german wirehaired pointer has halitosis along with other signs of disease like excessive urinating or drinking, depression or lethargy, weight loss, nausea, or decreased appetite.
Dealing with Fleas and Ticks in german wirehaired pointers
When it’s warm, it’s critical for you to perform regular, daily inspections of your german wirehaired pointer for ticks and fleas. Remove fleas using a flea comb. There are many new techniques of flea and tick management. Talk to your veterinarian about these and other options.
Heartworms in german wirehaired pointers
This parasite lives in the heart and passes from an infested dog to your german wirehaired pointer by mosquitoes. Heartworm infections are known to be fatal. It’s very important to ensure your german wirehaired pointer takes a blood screening for worms every spring. It’s also wise to give your german wirehaired pointer a monthly tablet during mosquito season to help you protect her from heartworms. If you ever travel in warmer regions with your german wirehaired pointer in the winter, she needs to be on the preventive medicine during the trip. In some of the milder climates, vets advise preventive worm medication throughout the year.
Medicines and Toxins
If you’re contemplating giving your german wirehaired pointer medication that was not prescribed for him by his doctor, don’t. For example, are you aware that just 1 ibuprofen capsule could cause stomach ulcers in some dogs Make sure your german wirehaired pointer is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. When you suspect your doggie has consumed a toxin, contact the vet or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24-hr. animal poison assistance.
german wirehaired pointers: Spaying and Neutering
Male german wirehaired pointers should be neutered – the extraction of the testes – and females spayed – the extraction of the ovaries and uterus – by 6 months old. Spaying before maturity greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer, a usually deadly and common problem for more mature females. Spaying also eradicates the chance of an infected uterus, a traumatic problem in more mature females that demands intensive medical care. Neutering males eliminates the risk of testicular and prostate diseases, some hernias and certain aggressive behavior.
Innoculating your german wirehaired pointer
- Your german wirehaired pointer pup should be vaccinated with a combination immunization (called the “five-in-1”) at two, 3 and four months of age, and then once per year. This vaccine protects your pup from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. The german wirehaired pointer puppy’s innoculation regimen cannot be completed prior to 4 months old.
- If your german wirehaired pointer has not been immunized and is older than 4 months, he will need to be given 2 vaccinations as soon as possible, two or three weeks apart. After that you must immunize annualy.
- german wirehaired pointer pup socialization and immunization should coincide. You should bring your german wirehaired pointer puppy to socialization courses by eight to nine weeks old, as recommended by most vets. They should have already received their first immunizations by then.
Because rules vary so much between different areas, call a neighborhood doctor for information on rabies vaccination. For instance, New York City rules declare that pets older than three months be vaccinated for rabies. After the initial shot, you must have another vaccination the following year, and then every three years. There are many immunizations that may appropriate for your german wirehaired pointer. Your vet can give you her opinion. Take note, if your german wirehaired pointer gets ill because she is not immunized, the shot ought to be given after your dog is better.
Intestinal Parasites in german wirehaired pointers
german wirehaired pointers are commonly exposed to worms—in all areas, both urban and rural. Microscopic eggs created by intestinal worms are passed in an infested dog’s stool. Even the healthiest of german wirehaired pointer puppies carry intestinal worms. The secret to treatment is early diagnosis. This will make sure that the treatment is highly effective against the parasite your dog has. A dewormer that eradicates roundworms, for example, can’t kill tapeworms. Your doctor can best figure out the culprit—and prescribe the right treatment.
Miscellaneous german wirehaired pointer Care Tips
german wirehaired pointer Supply Checklist
- Top-quality dog food and treats specifically designed for german wirehaired pointers and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water dish
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Comb and brush for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with identification tag and license
- Leash
- Carrier (for puppies)
- Training crate
- Box or dog bed with sheet or towel
- Dog toothbrush
Warnings to be Heeded
The following items should never be fed to german wirehaired pointers:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Coffee, tea, or chocolate
- Raisins or grapes
- Moldy or spoiled food of any kind
- Onions, chives or garlic
- Chicken, turkey, or any other poultry bones
- Salt or salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems or unripe fruit
- Dough
The scoop on poop
Keep your german wirehaired pointer on a leash when you are outside, unless you are in a fenced-in, secured space. And please, when your german wirehaired pointer defecates on your neighbor’s lawn, dispose of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about german wirehaired pointers
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