4darlingdogs

We have mulberry trees...bloody dogs eat all the fruit they can lay muzzle to...which makes for interestingly marked purple pointers at times !

Pointer....may or may not come when called...particularly when bird drive kicks in.

Multiple strands of hot wire and use a good quality unit...the kind you use for cattle. Use the wide white tape which is also a visual cue for the dog once it gets the idea that the white tape hurts. The first time you let the dog out in the yard with the newly re furbished hot wired fence wet the ground and wet the dog. I would also put the rolling pipe along the top of the fence so the dog can't get a grip if it jumps. I would use the run if I was going out. All the best I hope you can find a solution that works.

:) :) :) :) :) :)

Rod Straw is one of the leading cancer specialists in dogs in the world...you are in the best hands you could possibly be in. All the best.

I also think this has some very valid points too. We have to keep in mind that not everyone keeps their dogs like we might. So long as a dog has the food they need, the shelter and warmth and attention they need, is kept safely and is part of the family and cared for....then we must be flexible in our guidelines to adoption AND our attitude to others views and lifestyles.

Hi, I am the owner of 4 pet Pointers and also help out with Pointer rescue. Love how much thought you are putting into the breed you are looking at getting. Couple of points ( LOL no pun intended!!)....you asked about re call.....they are known for not always having the best re call. Some are much better than others but the re call is something you have to put a lot of time in training for, because if they get on to a bird or get distracted they can become totally deaf. The other is that they shed hair....a lot of hair....and all year round. White hair...on everything LOL!!! The other thing that rang a bell with me is you were hoping for a breed that wouldn't mind missing the odd walk...a Pointer will mind. A young Pointer will mind very very much...and may do some landscape gardening to make up for it ! Young Pointers can be a challenge in the teenage years but once you get them through that they are gold. Although Pointers can, and do, live their lives as only dogs we have found that in all the rescue dogs we have placed that they do better in households with another dog. Some Pointers can be anxious so be careful that you choose a good reputable breeder. This is a wonderful breed and I wouldn't live with any other but not a breed for everyone. Good luck with your research, hope you find the perfect dog to fit.

Can't comment on the food drive but I have to say that Pointers are largely undiscovered gems as larger breed family dogs and deserve to be better known. :)

Totally agree! I can't believe they aren't better known for being a fabulous family dog. I adore them, and hope to own another when we get more room. B&W female like my old girl

eta Hi Pointer Rescue! Maxwell Smart is doing well. We hoped to rehome another boy but his foster carer took about 5 minutes to decide he was staying. lol

edit again! No Cosmolo, I've not seen one who didn't like their food except for nerves, but have definitely seen selective deafness. :laugh:

Hi Powerlegs, glad to hear Maxwell is doing great and it doesn't suprise me it took all of 5 mins for your foster to adopt LOL!!!!

Hi, I am the owner of 4 pet pointers and also am heavily involved in Pointer Rescue. You are right that some of them can have a low appetite but there are also Pointers who eat like labradors LOL!! Out of my 4 I would say 2 eat like a horse, one has an average appetite and the other one has always been a fussy boy. Most of the rescue pointers that have come into rescue all eat well ( most are very underweight and grateful for the food) with a small number of exceptions who either run off the calories they take in or don't eat enough in the first instance. So to answer your question, in my experience, most will eat just fine but there is a small percentage that don't have good appetite. Fantastic breed of dog providing you can give them what they need. Biggest drawer back in my experience is the re call LOL!!! If you get a Pointer I suggest you put in lots and lots of training on the re call !! PS The more sensitive pointer may refuse treats if stressed...eg storm coming, vet visit, that type of thing.

Hi....I hope you don't have a positive result to heartworm in the end....but if you do, take heart ( no pun intended !) I have a lovely rescue girl here who arrived to me heartworm positive 2 years ago. She had the drug treatment ( which is very painful as they have injections either side of the spine across the loin area over 2 or 3 days) and she had one month of complete and absolute crate rest afterwards ( very important) and after all this she has never looked back and is today a happy and healthy girl. I hope this also sets your mind at rest somewhat that even in worst case scenario it's probable that all will be well. Good luck and I hope your dog is ok.

My highest energy slightly nutty boy is not the slightest bit interested in balls...however....show him a frisbee and it's a different story ! Maybe because being a Pointer he thinks the frisbee flying overhead is kind of bird like ? Whatever the reason, he takes his frisbee with him everywhere LOL!!!!

4darlingdogs - did you query the reason for the premium increase?

Hi yes I did at the time but really got no clear answer. When I said that I would have to cancel all 4 policies I got the feeling they couldn't care less. I did wonder at the time if I was talking to a call centre. None of my dogs were particularly old and I could see no reason for it....they did not send me any amendments to the policies which may have explained it.

Since receiving my renewal letter from PetPlan where my premiums have gone up nearly double to $902 per annum for one dog and reading similar stories from others here on DOL, I decided to shop around for another pet insurance policy.

As most people here on DOL know there are two major players in pet insurance; Allianz (PetPlan) and Hollards (everyone else) - There were many reasons I originally went with PetPlan as they had the better coverage... covering chronic conditions for life up to the annual benefit EACH year, paying 100% bill and no sub limits per condition to name a few. Since researching some of the Hollards companies again I was pleasantly surprised to find that in 2014 they have all had a huge overhaul of their policies to now align with the type of cover offered by PetPlan. Chronic conditions are now covered for life to the annual limit EACH year, no sub limits on conditions (except Tick Paralysis - Prosure has limit on cruciate ligament) and pre-existing conditions can be reviewed after 18 months if no signs/symptoms have occurred in that time.

I thought I would share some of the quotes I received when comparing a few different insurers against my 2 year old Hungarian Vizsla:

RSPCA

Economy:

Monthly = $50.54

Annual = $606.42

Excess = Nil

% Cover = 75%

Annual Limit = $11,000

Ticks = $1,000

Ultimate:

Monthly = $54.94

Annual = $659.32

Excess = Nil

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $11,000

Ticks = $1,200

Routine Cover = Yes

Bow Wow Meow

Comprehensive:

Monthly = $44.27

Annual = $531.19

Excess = $100 (optional nil, 100, 200)

No claim bonus = Yes

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $12,000

Routine Cover = Optional

Major:

Monthly = $31.25

Annual = $374.98

Excess = $500

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $12,000

Prosure

Gold:

Monthly = $51.24

Annual = $614.89

Excess = Nil

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $12,500

Ticks = $500

Dental = $1000

Cruciate Ligaments = $3,000 (per lifetime pet)

Platinum:

Monthly = $61.24

Annual = $734.89

Excess = Nil

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $14,500

Ticks = $1,000

Dental = $2000

Cruciate Ligaments = $4,000 (per lifetime pet)

Medibank

Silver:

Monthly = $41.59

Annual = $491.93

Excess = $100 (optional nil, 100, 200)

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $12,000

Ticks = $1000

Gold:

Monthly = $59.46

Annual = $706.32

Excess = $100 (optional nil, 100, 200)

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $15,000

Routine Cover = Yes

Pet Insurance Australia

Comprehensive:

Monthly = $39.78

Annual = $477.37

Excess = Nil (optional nil, 100, 200)

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $15,000

Ticks = $1000

Major:

Monthly = $47.70

Annual = $572.37

Excess = Nil (optional nil, 100, 200)

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $15,145

Ticks = $1,200

Not sure if anyone would find this helpful but hoping it will and I thought it was good to see the different prices (based on my breed) compared, especially to PetPlan which is wanting $902 if I renew with virtually the same policy as what Hollards now offer... I am still not sure which one I will go with, I'm leaning toward BWM and PIA

Beware Bow Wow Meow.....I insured my 4 dogs with them , they took one years premium, I made no claims and the second year they increased the premiums by 110% !!!!!!!!!! ( oh and I apologise for the 2 weird posts I made further along in this thread....have NO idea what I did LOL!!!! sorry everyone.)

Since receiving my renewal letter from PetPlan where my premiums have gone up nearly double to $902 per annum for one dog and reading similar stories from others here on DOL, I decided to shop around for another pet insurance policy.

As most people here on DOL know there are two major players in pet insurance; Allianz (PetPlan) and Hollards (everyone else) - There were many reasons I originally went with PetPlan as they had the better coverage... covering chronic conditions for life up to the annual benefit EACH year, paying 100% bill and no sub limits per condition to name a few. Since researching some of the Hollards companies again I was pleasantly surprised to find that in 2014 they have all had a huge overhaul of their policies to now align with the type of cover offered by PetPlan. Chronic conditions are now covered for life to the annual limit EACH year, no sub limits on conditions (except Tick Paralysis - Prosure has limit on cruciate ligament) and pre-existing conditions can be reviewed after 18 months if no signs/symptoms have occurred in that time.

I thought I would share some of the quotes I received when comparing a few different insurers against my 2 year old Hungarian Vizsla:

RSPCA

Economy:

Monthly = $50.54

Annual = $606.42

Excess = Nil

% Cover = 75%

Annual Limit = $11,000

Ticks = $1,000

Ultimate:

Monthly = $54.94

Annual = $659.32

Excess = Nil

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $11,000

Ticks = $1,200

Routine Cover = Yes

Bow Wow Meow

Comprehensive:

Monthly = $44.27

Annual = $531.19

Excess = $100 (optional nil, 100, 200)

No claim bonus = Yes

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $12,000

Routine Cover = Optional

Major:

Monthly = $31.25

Annual = $374.98

Excess = $500

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $12,000

Prosure

Gold:

Monthly = $51.24

Annual = $614.89

Excess = Nil

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $12,500

Ticks = $500

Dental = $1000

Cruciate Ligaments = $3,000 (per lifetime pet)

Platinum:

Monthly = $61.24

Annual = $734.89

Excess = Nil

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $14,500

Ticks = $1,000

Dental = $2000

Cruciate Ligaments = $4,000 (per lifetime pet)

Medibank

Silver:

Monthly = $41.59

Annual = $491.93

Excess = $100 (optional nil, 100, 200)

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $12,000

Ticks = $1000

Gold:

Monthly = $59.46

Annual = $706.32

Excess = $100 (optional nil, 100, 200)

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $15,000

Routine Cover = Yes

Pet Insurance Australia

Comprehensive:

Monthly = $39.78

Annual = $477.37

Excess = Nil (optional nil, 100, 200)

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $15,000

Ticks = $1000

Major:

Monthly = $47.70

Annual = $572.37

Excess = Nil (optional nil, 100, 200)

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $15,145

Ticks = $1,200

Not sure if anyone would find this helpful but hoping it will and I thought it was good to see the different prices (based on my breed) compared, especially to PetPlan which is wanting $902 if I renew with virtually the same policy as what Hollards now offer... I am still not sure which one I will go with, I'm leaning toward BWM and PIA

Since receiving my renewal letter from PetPlan where my premiums have gone up nearly double to $902 per annum for one dog and reading similar stories from others here on DOL, I decided to shop around for another pet insurance policy.

As most people here on DOL know there are two major players in pet insurance; Allianz (PetPlan) and Hollards (everyone else) - There were many reasons I originally went with PetPlan as they had the better coverage... covering chronic conditions for life up to the annual benefit EACH year, paying 100% bill and no sub limits per condition to name a few. Since researching some of the Hollards companies again I was pleasantly surprised to find that in 2014 they have all had a huge overhaul of their policies to now align with the type of cover offered by PetPlan. Chronic conditions are now covered for life to the annual limit EACH year, no sub limits on conditions (except Tick Paralysis - Prosure has limit on cruciate ligament) and pre-existing conditions can be reviewed after 18 months if no signs/symptoms have occurred in that time.

I thought I would share some of the quotes I received when comparing a few different insurers against my 2 year old Hungarian Vizsla:

RSPCA

Economy:

Monthly = $50.54

Annual = $606.42

Excess = Nil

% Cover = 75%

Annual Limit = $11,000

Ticks = $1,000

Ultimate:

Monthly = $54.94

Annual = $659.32

Excess = Nil

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $11,000

Ticks = $1,200

Routine Cover = Yes

Bow Wow Meow

Comprehensive:

Monthly = $44.27

Annual = $531.19

Excess = $100 (optional nil, 100, 200)

No claim bonus = Yes

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $12,000

Routine Cover = Optional

Major:

Monthly = $31.25

Annual = $374.98

Excess = $500

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $12,000

Prosure

Gold:

Monthly = $51.24

Annual = $614.89

Excess = Nil

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $12,500

Ticks = $500

Dental = $1000

Cruciate Ligaments = $3,000 (per lifetime pet)

Platinum:

Monthly = $61.24

Annual = $734.89

Excess = Nil

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $14,500

Ticks = $1,000

Dental = $2000

Cruciate Ligaments = $4,000 (per lifetime pet)

Medibank

Silver:

Monthly = $41.59

Annual = $491.93

Excess = $100 (optional nil, 100, 200)

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $12,000

Ticks = $1000

Gold:

Monthly = $59.46

Annual = $706.32

Excess = $100 (optional nil, 100, 200)

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $15,000

Routine Cover = Yes

Pet Insurance Australia

Comprehensive:

Monthly = $39.78

Annual = $477.37

Excess = Nil (optional nil, 100, 200)

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $15,000

Ticks = $1000

Major:

Monthly = $47.70

Annual = $572.37

Excess = Nil (optional nil, 100, 200)

% Cover = 80%

Annual Limit = $15,145

Ticks = $1,200

Not sure if anyone would find this helpful but hoping it will and I thought it was good to see the different prices (based on my breed) compared, especially to PetPlan which is wanting $902 if I renew with virtually the same policy as what Hollards now offer... I am still not sure which one I will go with, I'm leaning toward BWM and PIA

I highly recommend Jane Harper. Used her myself for another issue with success. She told me about her own dogs at that time....she will have just the right experience for your situation I would think. Good luck.

Hi all

I (like many of you) have been looking around at pet insurance recently. I had a look at a few of the common ones like RSPCA, Woolworths, Petplan. I also looked at Prosure and PIA and a couple more I forget the names of now. And now I am utterly confused. :laugh:

One that caught my eye was Bow Wow Meow and I was wondering if any of you have had any dealings with them?

On paper (ok, screen) they look ok. A quick quote online for a 16month old Samoyed returned me three results:

Accident plan only: $20.95 monthly

Accident plus illness: $39.42 monthly

Major medical (accident plus illness) lower premiums, higher excess: $32.92 monthly

They also had a choice of benefit limits $8000 or $12,000 and a few excess options.

Pet insurance aficionados; does this seem good/bad and why/why not?

They certainly seem to have their PR sorted out. I found them through productreview.com.au. They were the highest rated pet insurance company (when I looked) and seem to get a fair amount of positive feedback. Any feedback that wasn't positive was given a comment from a spokesperson as well as an email for them to follow up with, which (although it benefits them by making them look responsive)is a good sign IMO that they are at least willing to make the effort to look like they care.

I also took a look at the CANSTAR site and found an interesting PDF It was for Feb 2013 though. Pity there is not a newer one.

I was with Bow Wow for exactly one year....the premium was affordable for my 4 dogs so I signed up. Made no claims. Roll on to the second year and they put my premiums up by 110% !!!!!!!!! Be warned.

Hi everyone....just read this thread. We do English Pointers from all states. Pure bred only ( papers NOT needed ! :) ) Find us on Facebook...English Pointer Rescue Australia...or you can email me, [email protected] Thanks.

I saw someone posted they thought a pointer might be one of the dogs to fit the bill.....I would advise against this as the situation described would not give a pointer enough exercise and you could well end up with a destructive dog in your backyard. Good luck and all the best with your search.

Hi everyone, I need some help please

I have two beautiful Westies, three year old female and two year old male. Firstly they are both desexed, they are family members.

My little boy has allergies, after changing vets we made some progress with this. He is on atopica 25mg every second day, for about the last 14 months, it's seems to work well everywhere else but his feet. Both the vet and myself seem to think his allergies are grasses pollens etc. We initially tried an elimination diet with no success. Both dogs have chicken and veg's for dinner with a bone once a week.

He licks his feet a lot, they are orange/red all the time. I've tried washing his feet after walking, I've bought socks for him from Australia and expensive dog booties from USA and they just don't stay on the whole walk.

Has anyone overcome this problem ?

If anyone has some suggestions/answers I'd love to hear them.

Many thanks for reading

Hi....I have a dog with multi allergies too. She is also on Atopica and eats a special diet. What I do for the feet is this....firstly deal with any secondary bacterial infection caused from the licking and chewing by a long course of antibiotics. Ask your vet about using macrolone intermittently ( only when needed for the feet) IN CONJUNCTION with the atopica. I do this and her feet are well under control. The trick is to get it all cleared of infection first so you are starting with a clean slate....then at the first sign of a foot chew give a macrolone tablet of the right strength prescribed by your vet. It's not ideal I know to give these drugs but I find I now rarely have to use it if I get in quickly at the first sign of foot problems. The atopica gives my dog wonderful relief from scratching at her face, mouth and ears and I find that top up with the other drug keeps the feet under control. You will of course get loads of people horrified at all these drugs but until you have owned a dog with severe allergies its hard to understand just how difficult it is to help them. Different things work for different dogs....this approach works for mine...good luck and I hope you get some relief for your dog.

Glad to hear there is an EPP rescue, I do see them in the pounds / Gumtree in need, rarely thank goodness but I used to ring the breeders. I will join your Facebook page!

Good luck with finding this dog, I have had the same experience in the past with the owners taking a great deal of pleasure in telling me they had gotten rid of their poor dogs before I could get there, I know that one was euthanased for sure, I really hope this hasn't been the solution in this dog's case.

Thanks Dogmad...Sorry to hear your story and yes we hope that is not the case here. We are a small group, been up and running a couple of years. Rescue all over Australia purebreed pointers of the english kind. We don't have enough resources to do the x-breeds. Message us on FB or you can email me on the address I posted if you ever see a pointer in need. Thanks.

Hi everyone....in the process of trying to help out with a pointer we are told the owner 'got rid of the dog' within hours of us offering to help. We are not sure what that means. Not posting this to start a thread on irresponsible owners actions, it happens and there is no point in us focusing on that right now.... now we would love to find the dog ! Could we ask that you keep an eye out around the pounds, Gumtree etc for an orange and white male pointer about 5 years old. It's a long shot but we figure the more eyes looking the better. I do not have permission to share the one pic we have sorry. Dog was in Victoria and possibly still is. There is of course a chance this dog went to a home that will work out...there is also a big chance he's been dumped, just trying to cover all bases in case he has been dumped. I dont come on here very often....we have a FB page English Pointer Rescue Australia or you can email me at [email protected] thanks in advance. Cheers,Robyne

And as for bonding with the dog in 9 days. What of the owner who bonded with their pet over a 7 year period!

Exactly ! The moral thing to do here is give the dog back to the clearly loving home he had been lost from. Bonding with a dog over 9 days is nothing compared to the previous 7 years. I can't believe there are people on here who would keep the dog !

The attempted theft of the English Pointer happened...responsible registered breeder with good containment fences. Those blokes waited until 2 cars left for work...didn't realise the lady of the house was still at home. It was reported to police. Not all these stories are made up.

Mine have free range of back yard ( about 1.5 acres) that is securely fenced with 6 ft solid fencing and hot wire along the bottom...and it can't be seen from the road. Gates are padlocked. They also have the big covered back deck to use. They all 4 run together. When I'm home they are mostly inside with me unless there is bird activity outside when the stampede to get out there begins LOL!! If I have to leave them in the evening for a few hours the destructive ones get locked on the back deck and the furniture friendly ones get to stay in the house ! :)