Create Your Pointer's Shop
Pointer Breed Summary
Active, Highly-Alert, Enthusiastic, Loving and Loyal
These dogs used to be very popular amongst hunters in their past because of their excellent hunting skills and great stamina! However, they also blossom within a family environment too as they boast loving and kind natures.
They absolutely love the outdoors and due to their high energy, will need to be given lots of daily walks and exercise to ensure that they remain happy and healthy!
Fun Fact: Over time they have been depicted in many works of art!
Kennel Club Group | Gundog |
Lifespan | 12 - 14 Years |
Height (at the withers) | Males 63cm - 69cm, Females 61cm - 66cm |
Weight | Males 25kg - 34kg, Females 20kg - 30kg |
Coat | Coat is Short, Fine, Hard and Straight |
Colour | Black, Black & White, Lemon, Lemon & White,Liver, Liver & White, Orange, Orange & White |
Eye colour | Brown or Hazel |
Common health issues | Cancer, Aortic stenosis, Hip dysplasia, Skin allergies, Hereditary epilepsy, Hypothyroidism, Wobbler syndrome, Osteochondritis of the shoulders, Entropion of the eyes, Hereditary cataracts, Deafness, Gout |
Those that have Pointers, consider them as ‘members of the family’ as opposed to pets, which is no surprise due to their active and alert natures! They absolutely love ‘hoomans’ and get on extremely well with kids as well, with enough energy to run around with them all day, you won’t have to worry about providing entertainment to any of them. Because of their high vigilance, English Pointers also make excellent watchdogs and will always voice their opinions on anything they become wary of. They do need plenty of exercise and would suit a family who enjoy going on runs or cycling, so that these dogs can jog alongside! Although they are not known to get bad cases of separation anxiety, their enthusiastic personalities mean they need lots of on-going exercise and mental stimulation, so they are best suited to owners who have the time on their hands!
The English Pointer is actually believed to have originated from Spain, but the exact timings of their creation is essentially a mystery. However, we do know that they were in England in the early 1650’s, probably due to English Officers bringing the breed back with them from the Netherlands, that at the time was under Spanish jurisdiction. These dogs were a lot different to the Pointer that we know today, and they have since been crossed with dogs similar to the Foxhound, to give them a more modern appearance. It was also hoped that by crossing them, it would improve their scenting ability, speed and make them easier maintenance. A later cross with Setters also provided this breed with a much-improved disposition and these dogs soon proved popular with Aristocrats!