Skin Conditions in Your Pointer

ByDonna

I’ve been showing Pointers in dog shows for 30-odd years, and I can honestly say that this breed definitely has some advantages over a lot of other breeds. Grooming is incredibly easy and these dogs really listen to my instructions. I don’t even need to worry about a Pointer getting into a squabble with one of the other dogs at a show – normally, Pointers just aren’t aggressive or territorial

Naturally, as a professional dog handler, I want the dogs I’m showing to always look their best. For me, one of the biggest advantages of Pointers is their short coat – not only does it not need any clipping, plumping, primping or any of the other gyrations some breeds require, but I can easily see whether a Pointer is developing an unsightly skin condition.

A dog’s skin should always be smooth and soft, with no signs of irritation, redness or flaking. It shouldn’t be too dry or too oily, and there shouldn’t be any bare patches where the hair has fallen out.

Several things can cause a skin condition, including an allergy to food, dust, pollen or the like, fleas and other external parasites, certain types of hormone imbalances, or a bacterial infection. If your dog has a skin condition you’ll probably see him scratching or licking at the area pretty often. Some of the other common signs of a skin problem include flaky or scaly patches, a crusty or thickened area, red patches or pimples, and/or hair loss. If you notice any of these signs, take your Pointer to the vet so your dog can get some relief and the condition doesn’t worsen.

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