Pointer

During the 17^th century, the Pointer was initially used to locate hare and not birds, as one might think. The dogs pointed out the game, and then Greyhounds were unleashed to pursue.

During the 18^th-century, wing-shooting gained popularity, and that’s when the Pointer earned its place as a proficient bird locator. The perfect hunting dog locates game, specify its location, and remains still until the hunter can get to it; however, that process was rather slow with the old-time flintlock guns.

The earlier Pointer most likely contained in its natural makeup some of the most gifted breeds in existence such as Foxhounds, Bloodhounds, and Greyhounds, and let’s do not forget the old Setting Spaniel.

Different Pointer breeds were developed in different countries. In 1713 after the War of Spanish Succession, British officers returned home with massive boned Spanish Pointers, which they later bred with Italian Pointers to create the breed we know today.

The breed became extremely popular due to an increase in recreational hunting, especially on large estates. The hunter located the birds by cross-referencing the dogs’ points, so they mostly used two dogs.

In the late 19^th century, the most prominent breeds on display during dog shows were the Pointer. Actually, it is a fact that the Westminster Kennel Club was organized specifically for this breed.

Today, Pointers remain extremely popular as competitive field trial dogs and recreational hunters; Though, they’re not very popular as pets like other dogs that belong to the Sporting Group.

Pointer Breed Facts

Energy level		Watchdog ability
Exercise requirements		Protection ability
Playfulness		Grooming requirements
Affection level		Cold tolerance
Friendliness toward dogs		Heat tolerance
Friendliness toward other pets		Friendliness toward strangers
Ease of training

• POPULARITY: Uncommon
• FAMILY: Pointer
• ORIGIN: England
• DATE: 1600s
• ORIGINAL ROLE: Pointing
• TODAY’S POSITION: Pointing, pointing filed trials, companion
• OTHER NAME: English Pointer
• WEIGHT: Male: 56 – 76 pounds; Female: 45 – 65 pounds
• HEIGHT: Male: 25 -28 inches; Female: 23 -26 inches

This dog is a mixture of athletic elegance and power with a slender, muscular body, noble head, attentive expression, and a regal carriage. It possesses a smooth and powerful gait. Its head held high and nostrils wide, which enables it to cover a lot of ground, getting birds’ scent from the air.

As the dog walks, its tail lashes from side to side. Its coat is short as well as dense, which gives it a streamlined presence. Additionally, Field type Pointers have a habit of holding their tails erect when on point.

Temperament and Upkeep

The Pointer is not only an excellent bird dog, but it is also a wide-ranging hunter, which means that it can run for hours thanks to its stamina. Therefore, it requires an immense amount of exercise, or it could become frustrating, which leads to destructive tendencies.

Pointers are always on the lookout for birds. Therefore, they’re easily distracted by everyday matters. However, they’re nearly impossible to distract when on point.

Although this dog is gentle and sweet, they’re not recommended for small children because they’re just too energetic and boisterous. This dog comes in both field and show types. However, the field type is mainly smaller and slightly more active.

This dog requires exercise and lots of it. An hour of exercise every day is recommended. However, it does best when it is allowed to hunt. They also find running and searching extremely enjoyable.

This dog will not be happy if forced to stay locked up in a house all day. It needs a home with space to be able to run around outdoors. In contrast, it only requires an occasional brushing when it comes to grooming, which helps to remove dead hair. The field version of this dog tends to be more active. The Pointer is a relatively healthy breed; there are no main health concerns; however, minor health problems to keep an eye out are CHD, cataract, and deafness. This dog’s life span 12 – 15 years.