Mary Allen
The English Pointer is an ancient breed of hunting dog from Great Britain. Here in the profile, you will learn everything about the history, the character, and the attitude of the breed.
History of the English Pointer
The English Pointer is a classic pointing dog whose ancestors come from Spain and France. The English crossed these hounds with foxhounds and greyhounds. Although there are now many pointers, such as the German Wirehaired Pointer, the Weimaraner, or the Small Munsterlander, the English pointer is considered to be the purest sire of the pointing ability. British breeders have been breeding the breed in its current form since 1835.
Around 1907, German breeders founded the first association for the breed in Berlin. Breeders are now represented in the VDH by the “German Pointer Club” and the “Association for Pointers and Setters”. The breed belongs to FCI Group 7 “Pointers” in Section 1.1 Continental Pointers. Only about 30 to 90 English Pointer puppies are born in Germany every year.
Essence and Character
The English Pointer is an intelligent and good-natured dog best known for its excellent hunting skills. The alert and even-tempered dog has excellent, innate pointing traits. When tracking down game, they usually remain motionless with their front legs raised and point their noses in the direction of the prey. The skillful and persistent dogs have a fine nose and can easily find their way in areas that other hunting dogs would have to work through slowly. In some situations, the sensitive hunting dogs react anxiously. Because of this, they need a strong leader they can trust. In addition, the dogs are suspicious of strangers and make noise when someone enters the territory.
The Appearance of the English Pointer
The English Pointer is an elegant and powerful medium-sized dog. The physique is athletic and symmetrical. The elegant head has a pronounced stop and a powerful muzzle with pronounced lips that are slightly reminiscent of a boxer. Its close-lying coat is short and smooth with a distinct sheen. Numerous colors are permitted, with lemon and white, orange and white, liver and white, or black and white being the most common. One-color and three-color items are also permitted.
Education of the Puppy
A demanding hunting dog like the pointer needs a dedicated and experienced owner. The training of the docile dog is usually easy because he likes to follow his master or mistress. Ideally, the dog receives expert, hunting training. The most important thing is to start dog training at puppy age and combine it with impeccable socialization. Visiting a dog school is not only beneficial for inexperienced dog owners. If you want to turn a born hunting dog into a good city dog, you have to proceed consistently and sensitively. You can’t get rid of the hunting instinct, you can only bring it under control.
Activities with the English Pointer
Since the pointer is primarily a hunting dog, it belongs in the hands of a person who works with it properly. When hunting, it is exceptionally fast, needing only a short time to scan a large area for potential prey. It’s fun to watch the enthusiastic hunter at work. He moves quickly and smoothly. As a family dog, he needs a correspondingly busy alternative job. The dog breed can easily keep up with riding, jogging, cycling, or hiking. The British four-legged friends love to play and like to fetch sticks and toys. In order to live out his innate intelligence and his urge to move, in addition to long walks, it is also advisable to engage in dog sports.
Health and Care
The pointer requires little grooming thanks to its short and sleek coat. It is sufficient if you brush the dog from time to time and remove dirt from it. The diet of the athletic dog should be adapted to its sporting activity. When not hunting, the English four-legged friend quickly puts on fat, which you should prevent. The dogs are not considered particularly susceptible to disease and often reach an age of around 14 years. Since the dogs like to exercise, you should make sure in winter that they don’t overexert themselves and get cold.
Is the English Pointer Right for Me?
The English Pointer is an ideal dog for people who want a reliable gun dog or a hardworking family pet. The gentle dogs act independently and have no unconditional discipline. It is particularly suitable for nature lovers who like hiking and are looking for a sporting partner. Before you buy, you should be aware that you are buying a thoroughbred hunting dog that will never lose its hunting instinct. Walks in wildlife-rich areas can be very strenuous for inexperienced keepers. Accordingly, a lot of experience in dealing with hunting dogs is an advantage.
Since breeders prefer to sell their Pointer puppies to hunters and rangers, it is not easy to get a puppy as a family dog. A purebred and healthy puppy with papers from the breeder costs around €1000. Also in the animal shelter, you will always find representatives of the breed or mixed breeds looking for a new home.