Pointer (dog breed)

English Pointer
English Pointer
	English Pointer
Other names	Pointer
Origin	England
Fédération Cynologique Internationale
Kennel club standards
Fédération Cynologique Internationale	standard
	Dog (domestic dog)

An English Pointer, often called simply a Pointer, is a breed of dog developed as a gun dog. It is one of several pointing breeds.

Appearance

The standard colourings of the Pointer are liver, lemon, orange or black. These can be solid colours, or a combination of white with speckles (properly referred to as "ticking") and/or larger colored patches. Here are Pointer colors as described in the AKC breed standard: "Liver, lemon, black, orange; either in combination with white or solid-colored. A good Pointer cannot be a bad color. In the darker colors, the nose should be black or brown; in the lighter shades it may be lighter or flesh-colored."

Health

The average life span of a Pointer is 12 to 17 years.

Some known health problems that can occur in the breed include hip dysplasia (not frequent), seizures, allergies.

History

Pointers were bred to work with hunters. In the past they were sometimes used in combination with a retriever, to point out the game for the hunter. Pointers were also used as falconer's dogs. As early as the 17th century, sportsmen used Pointers to locate hares and then Greyhounds to chase them.

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 England. (Fergus, 2002). These dogs were bred with the local setting spaniels and foxhounds (Fergus, 2002). Pointers were brought to the United States where the breed flourished in the abundant open hunting land. At that time (late 1800's), 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).

The most significant event in the development of the modern English Pointer was the development of the Elhew strain[1]. At this kennel Bob Wehle produced perhaps the most statisically successful line of gundogs in history. Elhew pointers have dominated field events for over 50 years and virtually every competition dog in the United States can claim some relation to his dogs[2].

In the southern United States, where the dog is so dominant it is often simple 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.

American Kennel Club -vs- Field Dog Stud Book. An AKC dog can look and act quite different than an FDSB dog. FDSB is the hunting line of dogs. FDSB pointers are gemerally shorter, stockier, more birdy, "higher strug" and less interested in people. AKC pointers are taller, leaner, less birdy, and usually are a bit calmer, they often make better house pets. "A good pointer, is a tired pointer"

Temperament

Pointers are even-tempered, congenial dogs happiest as part of the family. Their aggression level is very low to non-existent and they can happily co-exist with other dogs. Since they are a galloping breed, regular exercise is important for them, as it is for all sporting breeds.

Grooming is not time-consuming at all. Their coat is very short and is literally "wash and wear".