Pointer
English Pointer
Pointers are gundogs that have been bred specifically for their ability to point. This means that they will freeze when they have found game and point their muzzle towards the waiting animal to give the hunter its location. They can also often been trained to retrieve and make excellent companions.
Pointer Standards
- AKC (Gundog)
- FCI (Group 7)
- KC (Gundog)
- UKC (Gun Dog)
- 24-27"
- 44-66 lbs
- large gundog
- hanging ears and long tail
- short, smooth coat
- black and white
- lemon and white
- liver and white
- orange and white
History of the Pointer
The Pointer was developed in England sometime around the 17th century. There is controversy around their origin, but can be limited to two main views. The most popular theory is that the Pointer descended from Southern European pointing dogs from either Spain, Portugal, France or Italy, with the now extinct old Spanish Pointer specifically being the most favored ancestor. These dogs were brought to England by soldiers returning from war zones, with a large influx in 1713. Later these dogs would be crossed with Foxhounds, perhaps even the Greyhound to further refine the breed. The second claim suggests an early indigenous form was already established in England, before the introduction of other Southern dogs. These dogs preceded guns and were used to point game perused by Greyhounds or hawks. While it is unknown which theory is closer to fact we do know that the modern type was perfected in the 18th and 19th centuries and would go on to replace the old Spanish Pointer and lead to its extinction.