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Pointer Dog | English Pointer Dog Breed Introduction
Pointer Dog is a medium-sized athletic pointing dog breed from England. It is also known as an English Pointer to differentiate it from other pointing dog breeds. Generally, the term ‘bird dog’ is used to describe all setters and pointing dogs. However, in the USA the term is often used to describe the Pointer Dog. This breed gets its name from the stance( this is where the dog stands tall and still with one foot lifted off the ground, tail extended, and the nose is turned up to point the hunter in the right direction). The dog adopts this position when it detects the scent of game.
The Pointer Dog points at the hidden game as a visible signal to the hunter that it has found something and where it is. However, unlike other gundogs, the purpose of Pointer Dogs is to point and not retrieve game. The youngsters of this breed display the hunting instinct at the age of 2 months. This breed is built for both endurance and speed. The Pointer Dog is popular for its distinctive raised brow, dished face, elevated nose, wide nostrils, floppy ears, oval-shaped feet, and a slightly arched neck. These dogs are obedient, adaptable, even tempered, and active especially the field lines.
If compared to other gundog breeds, a Pointer Dog is reserved and more aloof with a lower need for human companionship. The Pointer Dog is also considered the ultimate pointing dog breed because of its big stylish movements, sensitive nose, and the flashy pointing stance. There are emerging differences between the Pointer Dogs bred for conformation shows and field work. The former accent certain features of the breed such as straighter shoulders, exaggerated facial features, less natural movement, narrower chests, and less muscle than those bred for use in the field.
Pointer Dog Origin | History
The origin of the pointer Dogs has been a topic of debate among dog historians. One of the commonly believed theory suggests that the breed was descended from the now extinct Old Spanish Pointers that were brought to England by the soldiers returning from Spain after Peace of Utrecht. Although, other sources suggest Italian Braccos, Portuguese Pointers, or French Pointers were the foundation stock of the breed.
Another less commonly believed theory suggests that there was a form of Pointer that was present in England way before the introduction of the Spanish Pointer. These Pointers were used to indicate the location of hares which were subsequently coursed by greyhounds or caught by hawks in the medieval times. Additionally, it is believed that these dogs were influenced by the introduction of imported European pointer blood.
A compendium of sources in England suggest that the Early Pointers in England were crossed with other breeds to impart certain desirable traits including foxhounds, setters, and bloodhounds. There is also mention of Bull Terriers and bulldogs. The need for faster and agile dogs led to the introduction of Greyhounds to add speed. Greyhounds’ crossing resulted in the modern Pointer Dog being a much finer dog with a low-set tail, tucked up-loin, and tighter lips. AKC officially recognized Pointer Dogs in 1884.
Pointer Dog Lifespan
According to AKC, Pointer Dogs have a lifespan of 12 to 17 years.
Pointer Dog Grooming
A Pointer Dog has a dense, short, and glossy coat that sheds at low to moderate levels all-year round. It requires minimal maintenance. Brush the coat on a weekly basis using a hound glove or a soft-bristle brush to remove loose hair, dirt, and keep the coat looking its best. The Pointer Dogs need an occasional bath unless they roll off into something stinky. Use a mild shampoo and conditioner designed for canines to bath and moisturize the coat. After a bath, thoroughly rinse off the cleaning products (shampoo and conditioner) from the coat to prevent skin irritation. Wipe the eye corners using a clean damp washcloth or unscented canine wipes.
Trim the nails every 3 to 5 weeks if they don’t worn out naturally using a nail clipper or grinder to prevent overgrowth, cracking, splitting, dog discomfort, and problems while running or walking. Brush the teeth of a Pointer at least twice a week if not daily using a tasty canine toothpaste and toothbrush to remove tartar buildup. Clean the ears on a weekly basis to remove wax or debris using an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls. While cleaning the ears, checkout for signs of dog’s ear infection such as redness, dark discharge, and odor.
Pointer Dog Shedding
The Pointer Dog sheds all-year round at low to moderate levels.
Pointer Dog Coat | Coat Type
The Pointer Dogs have a smooth, short, and dense coat with a sheen. The short coat makes this dogs suitable for working on groose moors during the summer months but makes them particularly susceptible to feeling cold during wet and cold weather. Therefore, owners should get their Pointers a warm coat or jacket during wet and cold weather.
Pointer Dog Hypoallergenic
The Pointer Dog is not hypoallergenic. It sheds throughout the year at low to moderate levels. A shedding coat releases dander and fur into the environment triggering allergic reactions. Apart from Pointer’s dander and fur, saliva, urine, and mucus also contain a protein allergen that aggravates allergies.
Pointer Dog Training | How To Train A Pointer Dog | Training Tips
The Pointer Dog is an intelligent, amiable, even-tempered, and alert dog, therefore, making it a trainable companion at home and in the field. They are also reserved, more aloof, and with a lower need for human companionship. Furthermore, Pointer dogs were bred to work independently which may make training a bit difficult. However, consistency, patience, and use of positive reinforcements methods sets the dog for a successful training. Owners should start teaching the puppies from the age of 8 weeks when they join them home.
This will enable the dog to learn the desirable behaviors from an early age before it gets inclined toward bad habits. Youngsters are able to soak in all the things taught as compared to older dogs that are already accustomed to poor habits. Socialization training is also key to raising well-mannered and well-adjusted Pointer Dogs. This training ensures the dog is not overwhelmed by the new things but has positive experiences. A Pointer Dog should also learn to be calm, relaxed, and confident around new stimulus.
Socialization training usually starts from the age of 3 weeks while the pup is with the breeder until the age of 16 weeks after the dog has already settled in its new home. Most parents take their puppies home from the age of 7 or 8 weeks. To socialize a Pointer Dog, expose it a wide range of people, places, surfaces, situations, sight, experiences, scent, and sounds such as doorbells, sirens, whistles, vacuum cleaners, washing machine, baby crying sounds, and lawn mowers. Enrolling Pointer Dogs in a puppy class will also be a form of socialization. This training creates an enabled environment where puppies interact with each other.
A puppy class is also important to pet owners. It not only enable them to identify and correct bad habits but also have access to training information and assistance. Make use of positive reinforcement methods such as petting, treats, playtime, verbal praise , and toys. Avoid use of harsh correction methods. This is a sensitive breed and will shut down during training. Some of the harsh training methods include yelling, shoving, beating, kicking, and use of choke or prong collars. Keep the training sessions upbeat, short, and challenging to avoid boredom particularly with puppies who have a short attention span.
Start teaching basic command words like come, sit, lie down, stay, heel, and drop it from the age of 8 weeks. Teach one basic command at a time to avoid overwhelming the dog. Avoid issuing a command word while too excited or frustrated since it no longer sounds the same for your Pointer. Often, adolescent Pointer Dogs may start to deteriorate from the previous laid training foundation. However, it is normal and parents should revise on the training framework they worked on during puppyhood.
Effectively housebreak a Pointer dog by creating a feeding schedule, potty training, and crate training. While potty training, a crate has proven as an indispensable device that helps the owner to closely monitor the dog for signs of elimination such as circling, whining, squatting, restlessness, sniffing, and lifting a leg against the crate door. For positive outcomes while potty training, take a Pointer to the delegated toilet area immediately it wakes up, every 2 to 3 hours, 20 minutes after meals and drinks, following an exciting activity such as a car ride and playtime, after naptime, and before bedtime. After the age of 8 months, Pointer Dogs should go for potty breaks every 6 to 8 hours.
Pointer Dog Training Supplies
The foundation training supplies for Pointer Dog training include a good whistle, 20-foot check cord, a slip collar, a six-foot lead, and treats such as cheese, liver, and chicken cut in small pieces.
Pointer Dog Hunting
The Pointer Dogs are hunting dogs bred for speed and endurance. They are popular for pointing games. This breed start displaying the hunting instinct from the early age of 2 months ( 8 weeks). While hunting, the purpose of the dog is to point rather than retrieve the game. After a pointing dog detects the scent of a game, it stands tall and still with one of the front legs lifted off the ground, the tail extended, and the nose is turned up to point the hunter where the game is.
Hunting with this breed is done in the forest, bogs, and fields. For the hunt to be successful, the handler must have excellent contact with the dog. Furthermore, the Pointer Dog has to check the terrain for dogs. After the dog has located a game, it should stand still in a stance until the hunter is in a favorable position to shoot.
Pointer Dog Personality | Traits | Temperament
- Intelligent.
- Alert.
- Even-tempered.
- Amiable.
- Versatile.
- Obedient.
- Active.
- Reserved and more aloof.
- Loyal.
- Independent.
- Devoted.
- Athletic.
- Mischievous.
- Outgoing.
Pointer Dog Exercise
The Pointer Dog is an active, athletic, and excellent pointer that needs daily exercise to keep the dog healthy and happy. This may be inform of vigorous play sessions with the owner and long daily walks. This breed may also exercise physically and mentally by participating in canine sports such as agility, field events, tracking, rally, and obedience. Owners should also provide a fenced secured yard where this breed can run full out burning off the renowned all day hunting endurance for a contented and calmer companion in the house.
English Pointer | Pointer Dog Barking
This is not an overly vocal breed. Pointer dogs have low tendency to bark when they are well exercised and trained. Although, they will bark to release pent-up energy if they are not exercised properly.
Pointer Dog Height
A female Pointer has a height of 23 to 26 inches ( approx. 58 to 66 cm) while a male Pointer has a height of 25 to 28 inches ( approx. 63.5 to 71 cm ).
Pointer Dog Weight
Mature male Pointer dogs have a weight of 55 to 75 pounds ( approx. 25 to 34 kg ) while their female counterparts have a weight of 44 to 65 pounds ( approx. 20 to 29 kg ).
Pointer Dog Size
The Pointer Dog is a medium-sized athletic breed. However, male Pointers are slightly taller and heavier than female Pointers. Male Pointer Dogs have a height of 25 to 28 inches ( approx. 63.5 to 71 cm ) and a weight of 55 to 75 pounds ( approx. 25 to 34 kg ) while female Pointers have a height of 23 to 26 inches and a weight of 44 to 65 pounds ( approx. 20 to 29 kg ).
Pointer Dog Aggressive
A Pointer Dog is reserved and more aloof with a lower need for human companionship. This breed should never be shy with man or dog. However, a Pointer is not an aggressive dog.
Pointer Dog Bite Force
Reportedly, a Pointer Dog has a bite force of 200 to 400 PSI.
Pointer Dog Health Issues
A Pointer Dog is a generally healthy and robust. However, it may suffer from certain health issues such as elbow and hip dysplasia, gastric torsion or bloat, hereditary sensory neuropathy, patella luxation, spinal muscle atrophy, deafness, X-linked cerebellar ataxia, demodicosis, and eye problems like retinal dysplasia, corneal dystrophy, and cataracts.
Apart from Pointer Dogs, other dog breeds include:
Pointer Dog Names
A pet parent may decide to get a name for the Pointer pup before it joins them home from the breeder or days after it has already settled home with them to understand in-depth the personality of a particular dog. Pointer Dogs owners may get name inspirations from the England heritage of the breed, coat color and texture, personality, Celebrity Pointers, food, movies, books, songs, historical figures, or nature.
Regardless of where you will get the inspiration, ensure the name chosen freely rolls off your tongue and will not make you embarrassed once uttered out loud in the public parks or malls. Pointer Dogs and other dog breeds better understand names that have vowels. Avoid giving your pet a name that rhymes with a command word to avoid confusion. If the owner settles with a long name, they should find a cute nickname for the Pointer. If this breed shares a name with any family member or guest who frequent your home, it may cause chaos.
Female Pointer Dog Names
- Kelsey.
- Marcia.
- Sophia.
- Cassie.
- Rosie.
- Joanne.
- Alice.
- Daisy.
- Katie.
- Naomi.
- Penny.
- Sandy.
- Tasha, etc.
Pointer Dog Speed
A Pointer Dog can run for a speed of 40 miles per hour ( approx. 64 km/hr ).
Pointer Dog Names Male
- Garrett.
- Albert.
- Cooper.
- Buddy.
- Beau.
- Ezra.
- Harvey.
- Pluto.
- Smoky.
- Vincent.
- Sammy.
- Rusty, etc.
Pointer Dog Collar | Harness
A Pointer Dog owner may use a collar or a harness while on a leash. Although, a harness is the preferred accessory for a dog that is likely to pull. It evenly distributes the pressure exerted on the shoulders and back. A harness also allows the pet parent to have better control over the pooch. On the other hand, a collar is used for holding the ID and Rabies tag. It is also a great accessory for dogs that have proper leash manners.
Pointer Dog Food | Food
The amount of food that Pointers feed on depend on their age, activity level, metabolism, size, and body build. The Spitz puppies tend to have a high metabolism rate as compared to adults and seniors. Therefore, a puppy eats small portions of food 3 or 4 times a day from when they start weaning until the age of 6 months. From the age of 6 months, Pointers feed on a total of two meals in a day for the rest of their lives.
A Pointer may feed on a raw diet, home made, dry food, or wet food depending on the budget of the owner and the time of preparation needed. Regardless of the food that the dog feeds on, parents should ensure that a Pointer feeds on the right amount of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, fats, amino acids, and fatty acids to maintain a healthy bone structure and weight. Fresh water should be available for your Pointer at all times.
If the dog is feeding on dry or wet commercial food, owners should ensure that the first three listed ingredients are proteins from a known source. Commercial food should never have meat by-products, fillers, preservatives, chemicals, additives, and generic meat products. Feed a Pointer with formulated dry or wet food for small to medium-sized puppies, adults, and seniors depending on its age. Check the physique of your pooch to tell whether it is underweight or overweight.
The dog is underweight if the ribs are visible. However, if the ribs are not visible but you can feel them without pressing hard, a Pointer has an ideal weight. Although, if you cannot feel the ribs after pressing, the dog is overweight and should be exercised. Owners who want to switch to another food brand should do this over a period of 4 weeks by mixing old food until the Pointer is only feeding on the new food.
Pointer Dog Black | Brown | Black and White |Grey | Colors
A Pointer Dog may have a lemon, orange, liver(brown), and black solid-colored coats or either of the colors in combination with white.
Pointer Dog Allergies
A Pointer Dog may suffer from various forms of allergies as discussed below:
Skin allergies – Pointers may suffer from skin allergies due to environmental(seasonal), food, and contact allergies. This breed is also susceptible to atopic dermatitis.
Contact allergies – This allergy affects the Pointer Dogs once the skin comes in contact with the allergen. Some of the contact allergens that affect Pointers include lawn chemicals, bed linens, carpet cleaning detergents, grooming products, latex, plastics, certain fabrics, medication, and nylon carpets.
Environmental allergies – Some of the environmental allergies that affect Pointer Dogs include fleas, mites, grass, pollen, trees, dust and dust mites, house molds, and ragweed. Symptoms of environmental allergies include congestion, nasal discharge, and itchiness on various body parts including underarms, groin, muzzle, ears, face, between the toes, belly sides, and around the eyes.
Food allergies – Although rare, a Pointer Dog may suffer from a true food allergy that results in an immune response. It is normally accompanied with skin issues such as hives, sores, lesions, facial swelling, pruritus, and dermatitis as well as gastrointestinal stress including vomiting and/or diarrhea. Apart from food allergies, Pointers may also suffer from food intolerance.
Pointer Dog Eyes
A Pointer has rounded, intense, ample size, and dark colored eyes.
Pointer Dog Ears
The Pointers have drop shaped ears that reach just below the lower jaw.
Pointer Dog Tail
The tail of a Pointer dog is heavier at the base and it tapers to a fine point. It reaches the hock. The tail should not be docked.
Pointer Dog Head
The Pointer Dogs have a distinctive head with an elevated nose and a slightly dished face.
What Are Pointer Dogs
The Pointer dogs or English Pointers are medium athletic pointing dog breed. They were bred for pointing game.
Are Pointer Dogs Hypoallergenic
No. Pointer Dogs are not hypoallergenic. They have a moulting coat that sheds at low to moderate levels releasing fur and dander into the environment.
Are Pointer Dogs Aggressive
No. Although Pointer Dogs are reserved and more aloof with a lower need for human companionship, they are not aggressive.
Are Pointer Dogs Smart
Yes. Pointer Dogs are intelligent, alert, loyal, devoted, and athletic dogs.
Pointer Dogs Quick Facts
- They are also known as English Pointers.
- In the United States, Pointers are also known as bird dogs. Although, the term is used to refer to pointing breeds and setters.
- Pointer Dogs were bred for pointing game.
