.gif)
Pointer (dog breed)
Encyclopedia
The Pointer, often called the English Pointer, is a breed
of dog
developed as a gun dog
. It is one of several pointing breed
s.
or terrier
characteristics are undesirable for show purposes.
Grooming English Pointers is not time-consuming. Their coat is very short and needs only a quick rub with a soft brush to minimise shedding.
However the English Kennel Club
sizes are female 24-26in and males 25-27in.
While Pointers were bred to be a hunting dog, they are perfectly content given adequate exercise in a non-hunting home. Since they are a galloping breed, regular exercise is important for them, as it is for all sporting breeds. A good sized, securely fenced yard is a must to keep a Pointer safe since they are bred to hunt a good distance from their person. When left for the day, they typically do best indoors. Pointers are habitual "couch potatoes" who enjoy relaxing on the family's chairs or sofas. This is a natural part of their desire to feel part of the pack.
Pointers are fairly genetically sound as a breed. Some problems that can occur in the breed include hip dysplasia (displacement of the hip joint), cherry eye
, epilepsy
, and allergies
.
Through both history and anatomical evaluation we see that at least four breeds were instrumental in Pointer crosses: Greyhounds, Foxhounds, Bloodhounds, and Bull Terriers. Each of these were established breeds with unique qualities that the Pointer could use to do its job; our forefathers were trying to build a very special hunting dog.
Pointers were brought to the United States where the breed flourished in the abundant open hunting land. At that time (late 1800s), the Setter
was considered to be the bird hunting dog and pointers were not even permitted to compete in field trials with setters. Around 1910, however, the pointer began to beat the setter at its own game. The pointer has dominated the pointing breed field trials since that time. (Fergus, 2002).
One of the earliest dogs to exert influence on the breed in the US was a dog who was imported from England in 1876 - "Sensation http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/about/sensation.html." He is well known as the dog on the emblem of the Westminster Kennel Club.
One modern American kennel, established in 1936, and known for breeding large quantities of Pointers, Elhew Kennels http://www.akc.org/breeders/resp_breeding/Articles/extinctionisforever.cfm produced a popular and successful line of gundogs. Elhew pointers were well-known competitors at field trials for several decades.
In the southern United States, where the dog is so dominant it is often simply referred to as the "bird dog," Pointers are found in abundance. The bobwhite quail is the primary game bird there and is considered classic English Pointer game as the bobwhite will hold well for a pointing dog. Pointers also work game birds such as the pheasant
, grouse, and woodcock with success as well.
is simply "Pointer". The same is true of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale
, the American Kennel Club
, and the Field Dog Stud Book
.
Dog breed
Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic dogs, which are all of the subspecies Canis lupus familiaris, having characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans, bred from a known foundation stock....
of dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
developed as a gun dog
Gun dog
thumb|right|A group of Gun dogs as printed in Dogs of All Nations by W.E. Mason in 1915Gun dogs, also gundogs or bird dogs, are types of dogs developed to assist hunters in finding and retrieving game, usually birds. Gun dogs are divided into three primary types: Retrievers, flushing dogs, and...
. It is one of several pointing breed
Pointing breed
A pointing breed is a type of gundog typically used in finding game. Gundogs are traditionally divided into three classes: retrievers, flushing dogs, and pointing breeds. The name pointer comes from the dog's instinct to point, by stopping and aiming its muzzle towards game. This demonstrates to...
s.
Appearance
The Pointer should be athletic and graceful. The immediate impression should be of a compact, hard-driving hunting dog, alert and "ready to let go." The primary distinguishing features of this breed are the head, feet, and tail. HoundHound
A hound is a type of dog that assists hunters by tracking or chasing the animal being hunted. It can be contrasted with the gun dog, which assists hunters by identifying the location of prey, and with the retriever, which recovers shot quarry...
or terrier
Terrier
A terrier is a dog of any one of many breeds or landraces of terrier type, which are typically small, wiry, very active and fearless dogs. Terrier breeds vary greatly in size from just a couple of pounds to over 70 pounds and are usually categorized by size or function...
characteristics are undesirable for show purposes.
Grooming English Pointers is not time-consuming. Their coat is very short and needs only a quick rub with a soft brush to minimise shedding.
Coat and color
The standard colorings of the Pointer are liver and white, lemon and white, orange and white or black and white. Lemon and white dogs have a flesh colored nose, while orange and white dogs have dark (black or very dark brown) pigmentation on their nose and around their eyes. They may also be any of the above as solid colors, the body of most Pointers is mainly white, but there may be some body markings.Size
Most country's breed standards prefer symmetry and balance to perfect size, and most will allow an amount of variation if a dog's size does not encumber it in the field. The approximate measurements in the United States, from the Pointer standard, are as follows:| Height | Weight | |||
| Males | 60–70 cm | 25–28 in | 25–34 kg | 55–75 lb |
| Females | 58–66 cm | 23–26 in | 20–30 kg | 45–65 lb |
However the English Kennel Club
The Kennel Club
The Kennel Club is a kennel club based in London and Aylesbury, United Kingdom.The Kennel Club registration system divides dogs into seven breed groups. The Kennel Club Groups are: Hound, Working, Terrier, Gundog, Pastoral, Utility and Toy...
sizes are female 24-26in and males 25-27in.
Temperament
Pointers are even-tempered, congenial dogs happiest living indoors as part of the family. Pointers are affectionate and loyal. Their aggression level is very low to non-existent and they can happily co-exist with other dogs and often cats. Pointers are typically not territorial, although their size and bark will intimidate most people who come to its door. Pointers are very good with children, although young children and a clumsy young Pointer are often not the best combination.While Pointers were bred to be a hunting dog, they are perfectly content given adequate exercise in a non-hunting home. Since they are a galloping breed, regular exercise is important for them, as it is for all sporting breeds. A good sized, securely fenced yard is a must to keep a Pointer safe since they are bred to hunt a good distance from their person. When left for the day, they typically do best indoors. Pointers are habitual "couch potatoes" who enjoy relaxing on the family's chairs or sofas. This is a natural part of their desire to feel part of the pack.
Health
The average life span of a Pointer is 12 to 15 years.Pointers are fairly genetically sound as a breed. Some problems that can occur in the breed include hip dysplasia (displacement of the hip joint), cherry eye
Cherry eye
Cherry eye is the term used to refer to canine nictitans gland prolapse, a common congenital eye defect in various dog breeds where the gland of the third eyelid known as the nictitating membrane prolapses and becomes visible. Commonly affected breeds include the Bulldog, Chihuahua, Cocker...
, epilepsy
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases...
, and allergies
Skills
The pointer is employed to find upland game. In performing his task as a hunters' aid, there are some skills that may be expected when hunting with pointers.- Point The dog should find and point out the location of birds.
- Honor Honoring is defined as when a dog stops immediately or within a few steps, usually in a pointing stance, upon observing a bracemate on point.
- Retrieve Pointers are not expected to be natural retrievers, but are often trained and expected to find dead or wounded game.
History
The history of the Pointer, like many breeds, is a reasonably debatable topic. There are records of Pointers in England as far back as 1650. According to one source, the pointer came to be in the sixteenth and seventeenth century when pointing breeds including the Spanish pointer were brought from the European mainland to EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Through both history and anatomical evaluation we see that at least four breeds were instrumental in Pointer crosses: Greyhounds, Foxhounds, Bloodhounds, and Bull Terriers. Each of these were established breeds with unique qualities that the Pointer could use to do its job; our forefathers were trying to build a very special hunting dog.
Pointers were brought to the United States where the breed flourished in the abundant open hunting land. At that time (late 1800s), the Setter
Setter
The setter is a type of gundog used most often for hunting game such as quail, pheasant, and grouse. A setter silently searches for game by scent. When prey is encountered the dog freezes rather than chasing after the game. Setters get their name from their distinctive stance; a sort of crouch...
was considered to be the bird hunting dog and pointers were not even permitted to compete in field trials with setters. Around 1910, however, the pointer began to beat the setter at its own game. The pointer has dominated the pointing breed field trials since that time. (Fergus, 2002).
One of the earliest dogs to exert influence on the breed in the US was a dog who was imported from England in 1876 - "Sensation http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/about/sensation.html." He is well known as the dog on the emblem of the Westminster Kennel Club.
One modern American kennel, established in 1936, and known for breeding large quantities of Pointers, Elhew Kennels http://www.akc.org/breeders/resp_breeding/Articles/extinctionisforever.cfm produced a popular and successful line of gundogs. Elhew pointers were well-known competitors at field trials for several decades.
In the southern United States, where the dog is so dominant it is often simply referred to as the "bird dog," Pointers are found in abundance. The bobwhite quail is the primary game bird there and is considered classic English Pointer game as the bobwhite will hold well for a pointing dog. Pointers also work game birds such as the pheasant
Pheasant
Pheasants refer to some members of the Phasianinae subfamily of Phasianidae in the order Galliformes.Pheasants are characterised by strong sexual dimorphism, males being highly ornate with bright colours and adornments such as wattles and long tails. Males are usually larger than females and have...
, grouse, and woodcock with success as well.
Name
While the dog is often called the "English pointer" colloquially, the official breed name according to the British Kennel ClubThe Kennel Club
The Kennel Club is a kennel club based in London and Aylesbury, United Kingdom.The Kennel Club registration system divides dogs into seven breed groups. The Kennel Club Groups are: Hound, Working, Terrier, Gundog, Pastoral, Utility and Toy...
is simply "Pointer". The same is true of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale
Fédération Cynologique Internationale
Fédération Cynologique Internationale is an international federation of kennel clubs based in Thuin, Belgium. The English language translation, World Canine Organisation, is not often used.Its goals are described in Article 2 of their regulations:...
, the American Kennel Club
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. Beyond maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes and sanctions events for purebred dogs, including the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, an annual event which predates the official...
, and the Field Dog Stud Book
Field Dog Stud Book
The Field Dog Stud Book is the oldest purebred dog registry in the United States having started registrations in and currently maintaining records from 1874. The Field Dog Stud Book currently registers around 5,000 litters each year and has registered several million dogs...
.
Famous pointers
- Judy, awarded the Dickin MedalDickin MedalThe Dickin Medal was instituted in 1943 in the United Kingdom by Maria Dickin to honour the work of animals in war. It is a bronze medallion, bearing the words "For Gallantry" and "We Also Serve" within a laurel wreath, carried on a ribbon of striped green, dark brown and pale blue...
- Sensation, featured on the logo of the Westminster Kennel Club