Other names/Nicknames:
- English Pointer
- Spanish Pointer
Country/Date of origin:
- Great Britain
- 1600′s
Height:
- Females: 23 to 26 inches
- Males: 25 to 28 inches
Weight:
- Females: 44 to 65 pounds
- Males: 55 to 75 pounds
Personality:
- A dog that loves to hunt birds.
- Adaptable to people and situations.
- Good watchdogs.
- Does not need excessive exercise, but lack of exercise may lead to hyperactivity or destructiveness.
- Fun-loving and mischievous.
History:
By crossing stocky Spanish Pointers with the more agile Italian Pointers (similar to the French Braque), British breeders were able to perfect the best bird dog ever created. It is the most popular pointing dog in the world. It has an incredible nose and the speed and endurance to cover large areas of ground. The Pointer is especially suited to the hunting conditions of the United States where it is hunted from horseback. Records of the Pointer have been kept since about 1650, although paintings of Pointer-type dogs were even found in Egyptian tombs 3000 years ago. It is the fountainhead of many of the other field dog breeds. Pointers were one of the foundation breeds of the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Body Type:
- Has an agile and athletic build.
- The medium length tail is carried level with the back. It is never altered.
- The hanging ears are of medium length and lie close to the head. They are not altered.
- A dish face is typical of the Pointer.
Coat:
- The short, dense coat has a glossy sheen.
- Permissible colors are liver, lemon, black, and orange either in combination with white or solid-colored.
- Solid-color pointers are rarely seen.
- Minimal grooming required.
Health and Wellness:
- Congenital deafness.
- Metabolic bone disease.
- Follicular dysplasia.
- Demodicosis.
What you should know:
- A roaming rover. The Pointer likes to go where its nose leads.
- The most popular pointing dog in the world.
- The scenting abilities, speed, endurance and single-mindedness are unsurpassed.
- The Pointer’s birdiness is very strong but it still makes an excellent house pet.
- A strong-willed nature makes obedience training a must.