Dogs 101 POINTER Top Dog Facts About the POINTER

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The Pointer, or the English Pointer, is a pointing dog of medium to large size. As is the case with breeds developed through multiple crosses, the exact development history of the Pointer is difficult to trace back. Foxhounds, Bloodhounds and Greyhounds and Bull Terriers are believed to have contributed to the genetic makeup of the breed. Pointers were first used in the 17th century to hunt hare, indicating the quarry, after which greyhounds were released to pursue it. As bird hunting became popular in the 18th century, Pointers found increasing use as locators of prey. As hunting gradually decreased in popularity, some lines of the Pointer were also crossed with setters to improve trainability and to control aggression. In the late 1800s, the Pointer was brought to the US, where it became popular in recreational hunting. Dog shows had begun to become popular around that time too, and the Pointer found prominence as a show dog as well. The breed has remained popular in exhibitions and in hunting, but it has never found wide use as a pet.

Time for some Ruff Trivia:
The Pointer is often called the ________ of bird dogs because of its speed, stamina, good nature and overall reliability. What automobile brand fills the blank?
o A: Chevrolet
o B: Lexus
o C: Cadillac
What do you think, give it your best guess in the comments below before we get to the answer! Hang on tight and we’ll get back to this Ruff Trivia Question toward the end of the video.

The height and weight ranges for an adult male Pointer are 25 to 28 inches and 55 to 75 pounds. The corresponding figures for the female are 23 to 26 inches and 45 to 65 pounds. The coat is short, dense and smooth with a shine. The colors seen are generally white with liver, lemon, orange or black markings. Solid colored dogs in any of these shades are possible, but rare. The body is thin and muscular, with long legs. The ears are hanging, reaching just below the lower jaw, and slightly pointed at the tip.

Grooming: A brush once or twice a week should be enough to keep the Pointer’s coat clean and shining. Regular trimming of nails, brushing of teeth and checking of ears for wax buildup are necessary parts of the grooming regimen.

Environment: The Pointer is a pack dog, and loves being part of a family. It is known for its friendliness and loyalty. It gets along very well with children and other pets. It is reserved with strangers, and barks at strange noises, but is generally not advised as a watchdog because of its very nonaggressive temperament.

Training: The Pointer is a very intelligent dog, and can be trained easily. Despite its largeish size, a Pointer can make a good house pet as long as it gets enough exercise everyday. An area that lets the dog run around is highly recommended to keep it physically and mentally active. At least an hour of daily exertion is necessary. Your dog will love you more if you can provide it a fencedin area to explore and hunt in.

Health: The typical lifespan of a Pointer is between 12 and 15 years. The breed is generally a healthy one, but some illnesses that one should be on the lookout for are hip dysplasia, cherry eye, epilepsy and allergies. Cataracts and deafness are seen occasionally.

The Pointer is an alert, strong, friendly and beautiful dog, bred over many years to become a great hunting companion. Its famed stamina means that it will be with you step for step on any outdoor trek. But, its calm nature will also mean that it will be a perfect friend on a lazy weekend, joining you on your couch watching the TV with you.

Find out if the Pointer would be a good addition to your home. Now you can visit Brooklyn’s Corner.com to take our quiz and find out which dog would be the best match for you.

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