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History
The Pointer is named for the motionless stance the dog assumes once he has found game. The direction of the point tells the hunter where the game is hiding. The first recorded mentions of the Pointer in England date from around 1650, when the Pointer was used to find hare for the Greyhounds to hunt. By the early 1700's, however, when shooting became fashionable, the Pointer became the dog of choice. The Pointer is renowned for his scenting prowess. He works very quickly, covering a lot of ground. The Pointer is particularly good on upland birds, but adapts well to other game. The breed has excellent endurance in warm weather, but is not suited to very cold conditions. He is also not comfortable in the water. A very competitive dog, the Pointer still dominates Pointing Field Trials over all other pointing breeds. Today, the Pointer is a family hunting dog and companion.
Description
Powerful, graceful and aristocratic, with a proudly carried head. The Pointer has an alert expression and a well-muscled, athletic body. The nose is set higher than the rest of the muzzle. The stop is well-defined. The eyes are dark. The medium sized ears are pendant and somewhat pointed. The teeth should form a level or scissors bite. The neck is long. The tail is straight and tapering; it is never docked. The feet are oval. Dewclaw removal on the front legs is optional. The short, sleek, shiny coat is primarily white, but may be liver, lemon, black or orange, either solid, patched or speckled. Tricolor is also permitted.
Talents
Hunting, tracking, and pointing.
Personality
Full of energy and go-power. Loyal and devoted. A true friend. Kind to children. A dashing gentleman. An energetic and enthusiastic hunter, yet calm at home. Socialize well at an early age to combat a tendency to timidity. Some can be high-strung. Tends to be a bit willful and distractible.
Behavior
Children: Good only when raised with children from puppyhood.
Friendliness: Reserved with strangers.
Trainability: Slightly difficult to train.
Independence: Fairly independent.
Dominance: Moderate.
Other Pets: Generally good with other pets.
Combativeness: Not generally dog-aggressive.
Notes
Needs to be given a great deal of exercise to be a successful house pet. If under-exercised, this breed can become restless and destructive. Show lines tend to produce better pets. Field lines are often too active and hunt-oriented to make good pets. Dry the dog thoroughly after hunting to prevent chilling. Examine the ears regularly. Hunting instinct develops early. Puppies, even at eight weeks old, often display pointing behavior. Beware of hip dysplasia. Buy only from OFA certified stock. Also prone to thyroid and skin conditions and dwarfism.
Grooming
Grooming: Very little grooming needed.
Trimming & Stripping: No trimming or stripping needed.
Coat: Short coat.
Shedding: Average shedder.
Exercise: Vigorous daily exercise needed.
Jogging: An excellent jogging companion.
Indoors: Moderately active indoors.
Apartments: Not recommended for apartments.
Outdoor Space: Best with acreage.
Owner: Not recommended for novice owners.
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