Wondering if your German Shorthaired Pointer naturally has a dry nose? If so, let’s help you understand your GSP better through this article.
German Shorthaired Pointers are a breed of pointing dogs, usually medium to large. They were developed in Germany in the 19th century for hunting purposes. They are bold but affectionate dogs and, with proper training, can prove a great companions for their owners.
They are cooperative, intelligent, and require good caretaking, specifically during their training phase. Along with other obvious areas, give special care to their oral and nasal health.
There can be a lot of confusion regarding specific areas for new German Shorthaired Pointer owners or people unfamiliar with this breed. However, in this article, we help you get answers to some of your questions regarding GSPs, like:
- What does it mean if a dog’s nose is dry?
- Should a dog’s nose be dry?
- Do German Shorthaired Pointers get cold?
- At what age do German Shorthaired Pointers calm down?
Dogs’ oral, auditory, and nasal health matter as much as humans. In the case of GSPs, they rely heavily on these instincts for pointing. Better care of your GSP will lead to better performance and sharper attention in the field.
Do German Shorthaired Pointers have dry noses?
German Shorthaired Pointers usually have very dry noses, and this condition is called Nasal Hyperkeratosis – where an overgrowth of tissues covers the nose. Often, an extremely dry nose can be due to the mucus glands not acting correctly.
There can be many other reasons behind this, from allergies to drier climate conditions and more. But one interesting thing is that dry noses in GSPs aren’t as common as in flat-faced dog breeds.
This condition hinders the sense of smell of GSPs, occasionally making them miss the direction of ascent entirely in extreme cases. There are, however, many easy ways to deal with this- rubbing some vaseline over the nose can help a lot in improving the scenting skills of your GSP.
Nowadays, specially manufactured creams and external application butter are meant for German Shorthaired Pointers’ noses that help alleviate dryness. Give them a try if you want your GSP to accompany you on an adventure soon!
What does it mean if a dog’s nose is dry?
Dogs are often seen developing dry noses throughout their life. Oftentimes, they develop dry noses as a pup, which isn’t of much concern- unless the vet suggests otherwise.
Dogs need good lubrication in their noses to compliment their sharp sense of smell. Since they rely primarily on their senses to thrive, the scent being the most vital, they keep licking their noses to clean any dirt or grain settled.
Ordinarily, the mucus glands help lubricate the nose naturally- this helps the scent matter stick to the nasal passages better and leads to better scenting abilities. But in some cases, mucus glands might not be able to work correctly.
Cold or allergies are the most common reasons behind a dry nose. Like humans, dogs can suffer from changing weather conditions or allergies- resulting in all kinds of nasal issues. Old age is also a legit reason behind a dog’s dry nose.
Sometimes, when dogs are asleep, they aren’t licking their noses, and as such, their nose dries up, lacking the usual lubrication. Dogs of certain breeds have drier noses than others in general. As such, it isn’t a matter of concern.
In some cases, dogs’ nasal skin can get flaky and crusty from extremely dry conditions. It’s better to use an external application like petroleum jelly to help moisten the skin.
Dry noses aren’t terribly worried about; however, they should be attended to and adequately examined to confirm it isn’t a more significant issue.
Should a dog’s nose be dry?
Pet owners who pay attention to their dogs’ overall health know when dogs develop dry noses. It isn’t caused for major concern- unless the dog already has some skin disorder or is developing symptoms of one.
Dogs develop dry noses mainly due to the absence of lubrication- either they haven’t licked their nose for a while, or their mucus glands are acting up. It’s usually seen when a dog has just woken up from a nap or was doing some heavy physical activity.
Oftentimes, dehydration is the root cause behind this- meaning that a bowl of water can help bring things back to normal. If not, or in extreme weather conditions, external applications like moisturizing butter or petroleum jelly can help.
Dry nose isn’t a significant thing to be concerned about, and neither is a wet nose; as it keeps fluctuating now and then and depends on many things. However, the mucus of a dog can be a major indicator of its health- it can help check for any serious or developing health issues.
Excessive mucus discharge or odd-colored discharge can be used to predict any looming health conditions- like an infection.
Do German Shorthaired Pointers get cold?
German Shorthaired Pointers have a natural design that helps them withstand outdoor weather. Since they were originally intended for adventurous activities like hunting, their body can sustain well in cold weather above freezing temperature.
The coat of GSPs is dense and water-resistant, making it an ideal companion for the outdoors. They can bear cold temperatures, but be careful not to take them out without a coat when it is snowing. A temperature of 20 F is risky as it is liable to make your GSP develop hypothermia or frostbite.
If at all your GSP ends up developing hypothermia, take them to the vet immediately! Temperatures below 45 F are likely too cold for GSPs, and it is advisable to keep your GSP indoors.
GSPs by name indicate that they are shorthaired, which means that their natural coats have to be denser than any regular dog’s to withstand the cold temperatures. However, if your GSP is more sensitive to the cold, malnourished, or is too young, you should provide them with a coat before leading them out.
GSPs that are too old are at most risk of developing severe health issues over the weather conditions. GSPs struggling with any kind of acute illness are less likely to withstand the cold than their healthy counterparts. Ill dogs have a higher energy use to fight against any disease- as such, they will give up against the cold sooner.
At what age do German Shorthaired Pointers calm down?
German Shorthaired Pointers are a friendly and perfectly cooperative breed of dogs bred to accompany their owners in outdoor activities. They are full of energy and require a lot of training before being taken out for hikes and adventures.
As puppies, they are hyperactive and highly energetic, and you need to have a lot of patience and energy to deal with it and train them to calm down. The reason behind them being hyperactive is that in the 19th century, they were used for hunting purposes; thus, they are always running a little wild when young.
With proper socialization – with other dogs and humans and proper diet management, physical activities can help get them into a pattern and gradually calm them down. Interaction with other dogs can help the most, as it helps them acclimatize to others’ energy levels and slow down a little.
Since it is a readily energetic dog with sharp senses, it is advisable to constantly engage with your GSP in physical exercise and activities that require them to use their wit. While growing up, they don’t need to lose their wit as they calm down, and mental and physical simulations can help keep that in check.
Conclusion
German Shorthaired pointers are a breed of enthusiastic, affectionate, and playful- they were initially bred for hunting purposes and had natural levels of hyperactivity and energy. It becomes important to focus on all aspects while taking care of this dog.
Ranging from focusing on the emotional and psychological developments from early babyhood to adulthood and their physical aspects as they grow. A dog’s physical health can indicate its internal health and other issues.
One such aspect is their nasal health. GSPs heavily depend on their noses for a sense of direction, sniffing out something, etc. As such, examining their nose from time to time is important.
Dry noses can occur due to a lot of reasons. However, it is not a symptom of deeper health problems more often than not. The mucus discharge can deduce any underlying health issues in the case of highly wet noses.
In case of frequent dry noses in extreme weather conditions, keep some petroleum jelly or a product similar to nose butter for GSPs. Oftentimes, just taking care of their hydration will help resolve the issue.
