Pointer Dog & Puppies

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Pointer - The Bird Locator
Breed Origins:	England ( 1600's )
Breed usage:	Gundog - Pointer (rabbits, hare and Bird locator)
Dog Weight:	45 - 75 Pounds
Dog Height:	23 to 26 inches to the shoulder
Cost of Puppies:	Cost of puppies varies depending on location, breeder and pedigree history

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Information, Facts & Origins of the Pointer Dog
The Pointer originates in England and is a dog of considerable size. It was bred used to 'point' out small game to hunters, such as rabbit and hare and it was also used as a bird locator. It's origins can be dated back to the 1600's and it is classified as one of the Sporting Dog Group which we go on to describe in detail below.

Pointer Dog Names

Information, Facts & History of the Pointer Dog
The Pointer is also referred to as the English Pointer. Most of the development of the English Pointer was undertaken by the breeder William Arkwright at the end if the 18th century. An excellent locator the Pointer was crossed with the old Spanish Pointer and a lighter-boned variety of Foxhound, Greyhounds, Bloodhounds and Spaniels providing a combination of speed and setting skills. Crosses with setters gave a more receptive response to training and made them less inclined to try to catch the game. The Pointer originally worked with Greyhounds in hare coursing. The Pointers would point out the hares for the Greyhounds to seize. In the early 1700's, wing shooting, the act or practice of shooting at game birds in flight, came into fashion. The Pointer proved to be an exceptional dog for wing shooting and Pointers became popular for recreational hunting on large, wealthy estates. Two pointers, referred to as a brace, were generally used so that the hunter could locate the bird precisely by cross-referencing the dogs ' points '. The Pointer was first Registered by the AKC (American Kennel Club) in 1879.

Description of the Pointer Dog and Puppies - Coat and Colours info
The Pointer's coat comes in a range of the following colours: Lemon and white, orange and white, liver and white, black and white; self (pure) colors and tricolors. The coat is dense, smooth and short

Description of the Pointer Dog and Puppies - Comparative Sizing Pictures & info
The pictures above allow for a useful sizing perspective between an average man (Five feet ten inches) or an average sized woman (Five feet six inches) in comparison to the average sized Pointer dog which we have detailed above. These pictures are extremely important as they provide an immediate and accurate visual representation of the height of an average Pointer compared to the height of a male or female - essential information but unique to this site. Use the pictures to help to estimate the size of this breed of dog to each the various growing stages of children. Use the pictures to provide a guideline to the adult size of Pointer Puppies. The pictures will also prove to be invaluable when comparing the sizes and heights of other dog breeds. The dimensions will vary according to the sex of the dog or puppy. Girl dogs, or bitches, are on average, 2 inches smaller than boy dogs. Another useful piece of information when considering puppies.

Dog photograph

Information on Grooming and Care of the Pointer Dog Breed
The Pointer requires a minimum amount of grooming. Regardless of the breeds, a certain amount of grooming and care is necessary to keep dogs and puppies looking at their best. Grooming consists of not only brushing out the coat and bathing but also giving attention to the eyes, teeth, ears, feet and nails. A regular routine also ensures that any potential health problems are identified as quickly as possible, especially important in puppies and older dogs.

Dog & Puppies Health information - potential problems of the Pointer Dog Breed
All owners of dogs and puppies are concerned about the health care of their pets and just as with humans dog health issues arise from time to time. Resolving dog health problems, including those of the Pointer, can prove to be costly and it would be wise to consider the benefits of obtaining dog health insurance. Diseases in dogs may occur because of trauma, infection, immune system abnormalities, genetic factors, or degenerative conditions. Common health problems and questions occur in relation to the Bones, Joints, Muscles, Nerves, Ears, Eyes, Teeth and the Mouth. Other, more serious, issues can relate to the Digestive System, Heart & Respiratory Systems, Immune & Blood Systems, Reproduction and Urinary Systems. Potential health problems of the Pointer may be checked via the Dog Symptoms Sorter, but can include:

Hip Dysplasia (abnormal development of hip joints)
Epilepsy
Elbow Dysplasia (abnormal development of hip joints)

Online Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems
Please click the following link for additional information which we have provided via our:

Online Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems

This describes the most common canine health problems concisely but simply without using medical jargon. A section on Dog and Puppy Vaccinations is also included offering information on each of the diseases, symptoms and effects for which immunization vaccines are available. Not sure of the name of the dog or puppy illness? A Dog Illness Symptoms Sorter is also featured. The Online Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems should only be used as an informational guide and when and if any dog or puppies health problems occur it is essential to raise any questions you may have with a Dog Health care professional.

Living conditions and Exercise Requirements of the Pointer Dog Breed
The Pointer dogs and puppies are not well suited to living in the town because it requires a substantial amount of exercise - he has tremendous energy which must be directed into some task. It is well suited to living in the country and kennel life.

Pointer Puppies info
The following considerations should be taken into account when choosing Pointer puppies:

Budget - Purchasing, training, equipment, medication and feeding costs of the breed
Convenience and Grooming time e.g. long or short hair
Personal situation - time available and medical conditions such as allergies, asthma or back pain
Exercising requirements for the Pointer breed
Living Conditions for the breed - suitability for puppies
Family - child suitability

Children and Puppies!
The pictures above allow for a useful comparison of sizes providing an accurate portrait of the size of an average Pointer - essential information and unique to this site. It should also be noted that the pictures feature adults. The size of puppies are naturally considerably smaller and the full grown size of the animal can easily be forgotten when confronted with cute puppies! The slogan " A dog isn't just for Christmas - it's for life!" was necessitated by well meaning people buying puppies at the Christmas, unaware of the puppies growth rate. The pictures provided make it extremely clear exactly how small puppies will develop and whether it will suit the life and living conditions of the family.

Age comparison between the Pointer Dog Breed and a Human
Age comparisons between dogs and humans are always a matter of debate - we hope that the following information clarifies the situation. After the first year of life, a dog is equivalent to sixteen human years. After two years, they are equivalent to a 24 year old, at three years a 30 year old, and each year after, add 5 human years to determine a dog's age.

Life Expectancy of the Pointer Dog Breed
The life expectancy for this particular breed is between 12 – 15 years.

Sporting Dog (Gundog) Breed Information
Dogs in the Sporting group, which are referred to in England as Gundogs, which include the Pointer, can be divided into three main categories - Retrievers, Pointers and Setters. These dogs were bred primarily to work with people to hunt game birds. Some of these dogs work in water whilst other dogs are more suited to work on land and many of the dogs in the Sporting dog category are comfortable and capable of working in either land or water environments. Sporting dogs, including the Pointer, are particularly suited to wood and field activities. The Retriever, Pointer and Setter dogs and their main functionalities are as follows:

The Retriever dog - Retriever dogs find and return killed game to the hunter. Some Retrievers are especially equipped, for instance with a water-repellent coat and webbed feet, for retrieving downed waterfowl.
The Pointer dog - Pointer dogs stand in front of their quarry, with their nose and body rigidly still , thus directing (or pointing) the hunter to its location.
The Setter dog - Setter dogs were originally trained to set, or crouch, in front of game preventing the escape of the quarry. The hunter would make the capture with a net.

Sporting Dogs hunt by air scent, as opposed to ground scent used by the dogs categorised as being in the Hound category. Characteristics and features of Sporting Dogs have been introduced and strengthened by breeding with animals who already demonstrated the desired traits. Breeding for appearance was only introduced in the 19th Century. Before this time dogs and puppies were bred to increase useful abilities and traits helpful for the duties they were intended for. Thus, the various Sporting breeds, or Gundogs, including the Pointer, were initially introduced to help man according to his specific requirements such as:

Hunting game birds
Hunting waterfowl
Retrieving game that had been shot and wounded
Pointing to game to allow the hunter to catch or shoot the quarry
Startling, or flushing, birds from their cover

In this day and age only a few Pointers might undertake these tasks, but nevertheless, they still harbour the skills and characteristics that made the original Pointer breeding program successful.

It is said that they are perhaps the most intelligent of the breeds, resulting in their wide variety of uses and their ease of training. These dogs like to be around people and are active and alert and require regular, invigorating exercise and lots of attention.

Pointer Dog Breed

Examples of other Breeds within the Sporting Dog Group
The Sporting group includes the Pointer and all of the following breeds:
Pointers, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointers, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Curly-Coated Retrievers, Flat-Coated Retriever, Labrador Retrievers, English Setters, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter, American Water Spaniels, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniels, English Cocker Spaniels, English Springer Spaniels, Field Spaniels, Irish Water Spaniels, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, Spinone Italiano, Sussex Spaniels, Welsh Springer Spaniels, Vizslas, Weimaraners and Wirehaired Pointing Griffons. Pictures and information about all of the above Sporting breeds, together with all other dog groups, may be found on this website via the following links:

Dog Breeds - ABC List
Dog Names & Breeds Site Index
Sporting Dog Breeds