Pointer

Pointers are a very active, energetic, and friendly dog breed. They make a great family dog for families that are active and able to give the dog the exercise it needs each day. Pointers were originally bred to track and point out small prey, particularly birds. Pointing refers to the dog alerting its owner to the location of the prey. To do this, the dog stops, freezes, and aims its nose in the direction of a bird, for example, letting the owner know where to find it. Some types of Pointers also retrieve the bird.

History

This breed is usually attributed to Spanish origins, but some say it was developed by the Portuguese in the 1200s. The British might have had the dog already in medieval times, but a popular story is that British soldiers brought the dog to England from Spain in 1713. Others say a Portuguese merchant brought the breed to England, and there is a record of the breed in England in 1650. However it happened, the British developed the dog as it is known today, with some crossbreeding with French and Spanish pointers to create an excellent companion for gamebird hunting.

3 Pros and Cons of Ownership

Size and Weight

Pointers are a mid- to large-sized dog breed. Males are typically between 25 and 28 inches tall and weigh between 55 and 75 pounds. Females are a little smaller than their male counterparts and are generally between 23 and 26 inches tall. Females weigh between 45 and 65 pounds. At the age of 3 months, a female pointer puppy will weigh somewhere between 14 and 25 pounds, while a male puppy will weigh between 16 and 28 pounds. Pointers are fully grown by the time they are 16 months old.

Common Health Issues

Compared to other dog breeds, pointers are overall very healthy. However, there are still a few common health problems you’ll want to be on the lookout for if you adopt a pointer.

Like many dog breeds, pointers can be at risk for developing cancer as they age, so regular veterinary checkups are important for early detection. When caught early, there are more treatment options, and the prognosis for your dog will be much better.

Pointers also have a higher rate of hemangiosarcoma, a bleeding tumor that often forms in the spleen, but may develop in other organs in the body as well. If not caught, this tumor can rupture, causing internal bleeding in the dog.

Bloat is another health concern to be on the lookout for. Dogs with narrow and deep chests, like the pointer, are more at risk for bloat. If a pointer bloats, its stomach gets twisted and fills with gas. This can be fatal very quickly, so keeping an eye out for any of the signs and seeking emergency treatment immediately will be critical. You may also be able to talk to your veterinarian about scheduling preventive surgery for your dog.

Some pointers may also suffer from hip or elbow dysplasia. This is an inherited disease that causes arthritis due to a pointer’s joints developing improperly. If you notice that your dog is limping or having trouble getting up from their bed, it could be a sign that they are experiencing pain. If you notice any of these symptoms, you’ll want to be sure to schedule an appointment with the vet.

Pointers have also been known to suffer from allergies, particularly skin allergies (atopy). Allergens, such as pollen, dust, or mold, can cause their skin to itch. Most of the time, the folds of their skin, their ears, their feet, and their stomachs are the areas that are impacted. A pointer who frequently rubs their face or licks their paws may have allergies. Another sign of allergies in pointers is regular ear infections.

In summary, here are some of the main health issues Pointers face:

• Cancer
• Hemangiosarcoma
• Bloat
• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• Atopy (skin allergies)

Temperament

Pointers have a very even-tempered personality, which, along with their behavior, makes them a great family pet for many families. However, pointers are also very energetic and active. Because of these traits, it is essential to make sure that a pointer gets regular exercise and activity each day. Otherwise, they may find less desirable ways to get their energy out inside the house.

Another personality trait of a pointer is that they love interacting with their family. They will look for frequent attention and want to spend their time close to their human family members. They also love playing with and spending time with children, though because they can be very hyper, it will be best to closely supervise them around children, especially younger children.

Care

If you are considering adopting a pointer dog or puppy, there are a few key things you’ll want to keep in mind as you plan for their care. A pointer’s personality, exercise and nutrition needs, and common health concerns, such as bloat, should all be considered before you add this dog breed into your family.

Best Dog Food

When selecting food for your pointer, it will be important to choose something that offers a good balance of carbohydrates, fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Ideally, you’ll select foods that offer a similar makeup to what pointers used to eat from their natural environment.

Foods that are good for pointers and pointer puppies include poultry, fish, and brown rice. These are foods that the ancestors of the pointer would have eaten in Spain. You will want to avoid foods such as soy, beef, beet pulp, or horse meat when planning your pointer’s diet.

Always select high-quality food options from reliable companies. Look for products that are made without artificial preservatives. You can also consider cooking your own food for your pet. Either way, consulting with your veterinarian to make sure the nutritional needs of your dog are being met is advisable.

Maintenance and Grooming

Pointers are relatively low-maintenance dogs. You’ll want to brush their coat about once a week using a hand glove or a soft-bristled brush. This will remove loose hair and any dirt that may have become trapped in their coat.

Another important task will be keeping your pointer’s ears clean. You can purchase an ear cleaning solution and use it along with some soft gauze to remove any dirt or debris from their ears. Additionally, be sure to regularly trim your dog’s nails so they don’t get so long that they become uncomfortable for them to walk. Be sure to brush your pointer’s teeth regularly to prevent any dental problems.

Training

Pointers are relatively easy to train. While you may notice that your pointer is stubborn, most will respond well to positive reinforcement, such as praise or treats. Be prepared to spend some time training your pointer, but once they have mastered some basic commands, you’ll find it relatively easy to continue their training. They are very intelligent and able to learn quickly. It is best to begin training a pointer when they are very young.

While pointers can be trained as therapy or emotional support animals due to their pleasant personality, they are less commonly used as service animals compared to breeds like Labradors or Golden Retrievers.

Exercise

Pointers are a very active breed. Providing sufficient exercise each day will be essential for their health and well-being. Each day, you’ll need to make sure that your dog gets a few hours of exercise. Exercising a pointer may include taking a walk, playing fetch or another game together, or letting them run around in a fenced backyard. Because of the amount of activity they need, pointers do better in a single-family home with a yard than in a small apartment.

Puppies

When you adopt a new puppy, it will be important to begin training them right away. Even as young puppies, pointers are very intelligent and able to begin learning commands and expectations. Be sure to closely supervise your new puppy and puppy-proof your home to prevent any accidental injuries or damage to your important belongings.

Make sure your new puppy gets plenty of exercise and playtime. These dogs are very energetic, so they need lots of activity.

Children

The pointer is a good dog to have around children, but not ideal for homes that have infants or toddlers. Pointers enjoy playing with kids, but could accidentally injure a baby or toddler by jumping onto them or knocking them with their wagging tail. It is important to note that you’ll always want to supervise children around a pointer, as you would with any other dog breed. Teach children how to appropriately play and interact with your dog to prevent accidental injuries to the dog or your child.

Types

The main differences among these pointers are their coloration, hair type, and country of origin. However, they have common ancestors and were all bred to be good hunting dogs skilled at pointing.

• English Pointer: Perhaps the most famous of the pointers because of its pointing stance, the English variety has a white coat with reddish brown, black, or orange patches. The hair is short and fine.
• German Shorthaired Pointer: This dog is white with a reddish brown roan appearance, but they can be solid colored or with patches.
• German Longhaired Pointer: Excellent at tracking, pointing, and retrieving, the German Longhaired Pointer can also jump high. Coloring is brown, speckled, or brown with white markings, and the ears are furry.
• German Wirehaired Pointer: Versatile, sturdy, and eager to work, no matter the climate, this breed is a blend of many different hunting and tracking dog types, including wirehaired pointing griffons.
• Weimaraner: Because of its distinctive silver-gray coat, this dog is called the “Gray Ghost.” The coat is solid gray with an occasional small white spot on the chest. The eyes are amber or blue-gray.
• Large French Pointer: Also known as the Braque Francais, this may be the parent breed of all pointers, particularly the short-haired ones. The Braque Francais is the smaller and more popular of the two types; the other is the larger Gascony. The breed came from the Pyrenees Mountains hundreds of years ago.
• Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: Considered a superior gundog, the “Griffs” have a harsh and bristly coat. Their coloring is gray with brown markings, and they have a big mustache and eyebrows.
• Cesky Fousek: A rare breed that is possibly centuries old, this dog hunts, points, and retrieves. Its name means Czech whiskers, which are part of its rough coat. The brown or amber eyes have a distinctive almond shape.
• Auvergne Pointer: From Auvergne, France, this breed is a close relative of the Braque Francais. Noted as good retrievers, this breed has a black and white spotted coat, short and smooth, and usually a solid black head.
• Old Danish Pointer: Developed in the early 1700s, possibly by Martin Bak (the locals call it the Bakhound). This breed has short heads, lean bodies, and brown eyes.
• Perdigueiro Portugueso: This Portuguese Pointer is square in build with a short and coarse coat but velvety fur on its triangular ears and beagle-like face.
• Large Munsterlander: Not related to the Small Munsterlander, the Large Munsterlander was bred from the German Longhaired Pointer. It has long, black and white fur, great endurance in all kinds of weather, and is especially loyal and obedient.

Similar Dogs

Stabyhouns, Spinone Italianos, and Irish setters are three other dog breeds that are similar to pointers in that all have hunting and pointing in their heritage.

• Stabyhoun: A rare breed, this medium-sized dog with silky hair is best suited as a farm dog and hunter/tracker. The stabyhoun, although friendly and affectionate, makes a good guard dog. The breed is very active, but obedient and docile.
• Spinone Italiano: From an old Italian dog breed going back to at least the 15th century, this dog was once a pointer and still is good for waterfowl hunting. Mostly, it is a friendly, patient dog well-suited to being with a family. A large dog that likes to be outside and has medium hair in orange, white, or brown.
• Irish Setter: A medium-sized dog with medium-length hair, this dog is playful and very energetic. A Setter has a good nose for searching, so it is a good hunting dog, but it is too friendly to be a guard dog. The hair can be a reddish maroon or red and white. The setter’s eyes are very expressive, and the dog makes a good companion or family dog.

Famous Pointers

There are a few famous people you may recall who own (or owned) pointers:

• Bradley Cooper previously owned a German Shorthaired Pointer named Samson, who passed away in 2010.
• Clark Gable had a German shorthaired pointer.
• Judy was a famous pointer dog that helped the crew of the HMS Gnat and HMS Grasshopper (ships during WWII) by notifying them when she detected incoming aircraft.