German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America

Butterfly · Junior Joined: 30 Mar 2003 Posts: 47

I have a 9 month old GWP. He came from a very reliable breeder but my husband and I are concerned about his health. He was on the heartworm medication when we got him so don't believe thats the problem. We have been running him and starting training. He seems to be panting hard after only 15 minutes in the field. We live in Michigan so right now the weather is quite cool. Is this normal of these dogs?

Thank you

GWP Fan · Member Joined: 02 Jan 2003 Posts: 8 Location: Inland NW

What type of coat does he have? If he has a long coat he may just be getting overheated. If he is just starting to pant but not coming back to your side in exhaustion then it is probably just normal dog behavior. If though, he is obviously exhausted after only 15 minuets then you may want to get him to the vet. My 9mos old male can run flat out for an hour if I let him (I make him take breaks every 10 minuets to keep him fresh.) but he will be panting in less than 15 min, it just means he is getting his exercise.
Hope this helps.
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Butterfly · Junior Joined: 30 Mar 2003 Posts: 47

Thanks for your reply. His coat is fairly long. He does not come back in exhaustion. It sounds like he does about the same thing your dog does. You've made us feel better. Sounds like he's OK and we'll keep our eyes on him.

:) :) :)

cheerio · Moderator Joined: 11 Mar 2003 Posts: 285 Location: Canada

here is an easy test to find out whether your panting dog is in distress or if he is just panting,. After exercise, when he sytarts panting, check if his heart beat seems to jump out of his cage and if his gums become pale. If you don't have these 2 symptoms, it is nothing to be concern about.

Illona · Posted: 04/16/03, 1:36 pm Post subject:

Butterfly,
I know you're probaby not worrying after GWP Fan and Cheerio's responses, but let me add that my 15-mo-old girl (9 months out of rescue) is a huge panter. I got her last July, shortly after my last boy passed, and I couldnt believe the difference between her and him, and he had more of a coat.
She's just naturally a panter. Lots of energy. Will run like crazy through the woods, then slow up and stay near me, but in a flash she can be gone again at full tilt. When she charges back her tongue's flapping in the slipstream behind her.
And yesterday we had our first warm day (I'm in Ontario) and she was panting like crazy in the house with no exercise.

Illona