A pointing breed is a type of gundog typically used in finding game. Gundogs are traditionally divided into three classes: retrievers, flushing dogs, and pointing breeds. The name pointer comes from the dog's instinct to point, by stopping and aiming its muzzle towards game. This demonstrates to the hunter the location of his or her quarry and allows them to move into gun range. Pointers were selectively bred for dogs who had abundant pointing and backing instinct.

German Short Haired Pointer Dog Health

German Short Haired Pointer Dog Health Concerns

The German Short Haired Pointer is prone to the following major health conditions:

Lymphedema - Lymphedema is swelling that is due to improper drainage of the lymph system.

The German Short Haired Pointer is prone to the following minor health conditions:

Canine Hip Dysplasia - Hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of the hip socket that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. It is a polygenic trait, that is affected by environmental factors in the production of the final phenotype. It can be found in many animals and occasionally in humans, but is most commonly associated with dogs, and is common in many dog breeds, particularly the larger breeds.

Entropion - Entropion is the inversion of the eyelids, so that they roll inward, often irritating the eye.

Gastric Torsion - Gastric Torsion is a medical condition in which the stomach becomes overstretched by excessive gas content. It is also commonly referred to as bloat, gastric torsion, and gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) when the stomach is also twisted.

von Willebrand's Disease - von Willebrand's Disease is a condition where you have defective blood platelet function resulting in excessive bleeding, caused a by a deficiency in clotting factor.

Pannus - Pannus is a medical term for a hanging flap of tissue. When involving the abdomen, it is called a panniculus and consists of skin, fat, and sometimes contents of the internal abdomen as part of a hernia.

Osteochondritis Dissecans - Osteochondritis Dissecans is a joint disorder in which cracks form in the articular cartilage and the underlying subchondral bone. Osteochondritis Dissecans usually causes pain and swelling of the affected joint which catches and locks during movement.

Hypothyroidisim - Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. Early symptoms: Being more sensitive to cold; Constipation; Depression; Fatigue or feeling slowed down.

The German Short Haired Pointer occasionally has problems with the following health conditions:

Ectropion - Ectropion is eversion of the eyelids, so that they roll out from the eye, leaving a gap between the lid and the eye.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy - Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a group of genetic diseases seen in certain breeds of dogs and, more rarely, cats. It is characterized by the bilateral degeneration of the retina, causing progressive vision loss culminating in blindness. The condition in nearly all breeds is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, with the exception of the Siberian Husky and the Bullmastiff. There is no treatment.

Cardiomyopathy - Cardiomyopathy, which literally means "heart muscle disease," is the deterioration of the function of the myocardium or heart muscle.

Pointer Dog Gifts

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