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Rescue a Pointer
Pointer Puppies for Sale
Pointer
(English Pointer)
Scout Pointing
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Description |
The Pointer, also known as the English
Pointer, is a powerful, hunting dog. The head is about as wide as the muzzle is long. The neck is long. The muzzle is deep. The stop is well-defined. The nose is black or brown in color in the darker coated dogs and may be lighter or flesh in the lighter dogs. The teeth
should meet in a level or scissors bite. The round eyes are dark in contrast with the markings on the coat. The hanging ears are somewhat pointed at the end. The front legs are straight. The tail is larger at the root, tapering to a point. The coat is short, smooth and dense. Coat colors include primarily white with liver, lemon, black, and or orange markings either solid, patched or speckled or can be solid in color. May be tri-colored. |
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Temperament |
English Pointers are extremely high energy, and very enthusiastic hunters. With enough exercise they will be calm in the home. Intelligent, devoted, loyal and clean. They are patient, friendly, affectionate and love children and are a true friend to the family. They adapt well to new situations. Can be reserved with strangers. Socialize well at an early age and as the owner of the dog be sure to stay mentally strong so the dog can feed from your energy to avoid timidity. Nervous humans tend to have nervous dogs because the dog can feel your emotions. If you do not provide enough mental and or physical exercise they will become high-strung and distractible and can become neurotic and destructive. If they sense their owners are not as strong minded as themselves they will become a bit
willful as they will believe they need to be the leader of the relationship. It will bark at suspicious
noises, but it is not a watchdog. Hunting
instincts develop early. Puppies will start to display
pointing behavior as young as 8 weeks old. These dogs are generally good with other
pets and are not usually dog-aggressive.
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Height, weight |
Height: Dogs 22-24 inches (55-62cm.)
Bitches 21-24 inches (54-60cm.)
Weight: 44-66 pounds (20-30kg) |
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Health Problems |
Prone to hip dysplasia, thyroid and
dwarfism. Also skin conditions. |
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Living Conditions |
These dogs are not recommended for
apartment life. They are moderately active indoors and do best with acreage. |
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Exercise |
This dog is extremely energetic and tireless. It
is very important that it gets daily vigorous exercise to prevent extreme indoor
restlessness. This breed is more than a match for even the most active family
and they should not be taken on as a family pet unless they can guarantee plenty
of vigorous exercise. They need to be
taken on a daily, brisk,
long walk, jog or
run alongside you when you bicycle.
They are excellent jogging companions and love to swim and
retrieve. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as instinct tells a dog the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. Teach them to enter and exit door and gateways after the humans. |
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Life Expectancy |
About 13-14 years. |
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Grooming |
The smooth coat of the Pointer is very
easy to groom. Just brush regularly with a firm bristle brush and bathe only
when necessary. A rub with a piece of toweling or chamois will leave the coat
gleaming. Check the feet also, especially after the dog has been exercising or
working. Dry the dog thoroughly after hunting to prevent chilling. Ears should be checked regularly. This breed is an average shedder. |
| Origin |
The first recorded mentions of the Pointer were in England
around 1650. The Pointer was developed by crossing the
Italian Pointer, Foxhound, Bloodhound, Greyhound, Newfoundland, Setter, and the Bulldog. The name derived from the way the dog stands motionless when he spots his game as if he is pointing right at it. Before hunting with guns was popular, Pointers were used to find hare for the Greyhound
to hunt. By the early 1700's the Pointer became very popular among hunters. Excellent at catching a scent and pointing the hunter in the right direction. The dogs are very quick and can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time and are often used to flush out birds. They are not water dogs nor are expected to retrieve the kill. The dogs work great in warm weather but does not do well when it is very cold. The English Pointer often wins
Pointing Field Trials over all other pointing breeds. The Pointer was first recognized by the AKC in 1884. |
| Group |
Gun Dog, AKC Sporting |
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Recognition |
FDSB, AF,
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC,
NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR, DRA |
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FDSB = Field Dog Stud Book
AF = American Field
CKC = Continental
Kennel Club
FCI = Fédération
Cynologique Internationale
AKC = American
Kennel Club
UKC = United Kennel
Club
KCGB = Kennel
Club of Great Britain
CKC = Canadian
Kennel Club
ANKC = Australian
National Kennel Club
NKC = National
Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand
Kennel Club
APRI = American Pet Registry
Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc. |
Pointer Posters and Prints!
Pilot in the tub...(winter time so it's dry).
This is Pilot (right) and Scout (left). They are both 10 months old in this photo. Photo Courtesy of the John Family.
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"This is Grendel, our Pointer. Her coloration is white with orange freckles. Grendel is just over 2 years old and is a complete joy. She is a working hunting dog, which helps to get rid of her energy. She's smart, but these dogs are stubborn and not incredibly easy to train. Their puppy stage lasts about 2 years and they are INSANE during that time, so unless you have 2 years during which you can devote multiple hours of time to training and exercise per day, this is not the dog breed for you. She is a very rewarding pet and a very sweet little couch potato when exercised consistently, but she will drive you nuts if you forget to take her out one day! If you are considering this breed, please keep in mind that they are bred to have the stamina to run long distances for hours and hours on hunting excursions, so unless you can provide either a hunting environment or something to replace it, it isn't really fair to the dog. She is way more likely to point butterflies in the park than play fetch with a tennis ball and in situations where she can run free, she will come and check in with you for a second but spends most of her time hunting around for birds. She is very independent outside but has been trained to come to a whistle very successfully. She is extremely tenacious and will run like mad in snow, through thick brush, on sand, and will swim in rivers and even the ocean. She runs so much that it is really difficult to keep weight on her, which I have heard is really common with pointing breeds. All in all, Grendel is an amazing dog. She is a hunting dog through and through who is also a pet. She is high-energy to a fault, but when properly exercised she is really sweet in the house, very cuddly. We love our Pointer!"
Grendel the Pointer after a day of hunting.
Grendel the Pointer taking a nap.
Grendel the Pointer at 2 years old. Her coloring is white with orange freckles.
Pointer Pictures 1
Pointer Pictures 2
Pointer Pictures 3
Hunting Dogs
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