Pointer

Grooming Tips

Grooming a Pointer is a breeze. Their short, smooth coat is shiny and sheds lightly throughout the year. Once per week should be enough brushing to keep loose hair under control. Rubbing a Pointer with a chamois will cause his coat to almost sparkle. Pointers only need to bathe three or four times per year, unless the dog has a knack for rolling in the muck.Check the dog's ears weekly for signs of wax buildup, irritation or infection. Clean them out with a cotton ball and a veterinarian-approved cleanser. Brushing the Pointer's teeth on a weekly basis will keep tartar from building up and promote gum health.

Exercise Tips

The athletic, exuberant Pointer is a very active sporting breed and requires lots ofexercisesevery day to keep him healthy and happy. This can come in the form of long daily walks and vigorous play sessions with his owner.Providing a securely fenced yard where the Pointer can run full out and burn off some of his renowned “hunt all day” endurance is beneficial and will make for a calmer, more contented companion inside the home.The breed also exercises mind and body by participating in canine sports such asfield events,obedience,tracking,agility,rally, and other activities that can be enjoyed by dog and owner.

Feeding Tips

Given that the English Pointer is a naturally active breed, you should consider providing him with a dog food formulated for active dogs, particularly one with high protein content.You should also make sure that the food is formulated to meet the needs of large-breed dogs. If your dog does not receive daily exercise, be careful not to overfeed him or he may become obese.They should do well on high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval.Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to gettingoverweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level.Treatscan be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about whichhuman foodsare safe for dogs, and which are not.Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Health Tips

Pointers are generally very healthy dogs, andresponsible breederswill screen their stock for health conditions such aship dysplasiaand eye disorders. Like other large and deep-chested dogs, Pointers can experiencebloat, a sudden, life-threatening stomach condition.Owners should learn what signs to look out for, and what to do should they occur. The Pointer’s ears should be checked regularly for signs ofinfection, and theteethshould be brushed often, using a toothpaste designed for dogs.

Trainability

The English Pointer can be somewhat strong-willed, so it is important that you start training from an early age. Pointers are very smart, so they pick up on training quickly but they may test your resolve from time to time.The Pointer breed can be trained for pointing, honor, and retrieving though, in reality, they will enjoy any sport or game you teach them. Theyhave also been known to excel at service and therapy work, as well as in search-and-rescue.

The first recorded mentions of the Pointer were in England around 1650. The Pointer was developed by crossing the Italian Pointer,Foxhound,Bloodhound,Greyhound,Newfoundland,Setter, and theBulldog. The name derived from the way the dog stands motionless when he spots his game as if he is pointing right at it. Before hunting with guns was popular, Pointers were used to find hare for the Greyhound to hunt.By the early 1700s, the Pointer became very popular among hunters. Excellent at catching a scent and pointing the hunter in the right direction, the dogs are very quick and can cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time and are often used to flush out birds.They are not water dogs nor are they expected to retrieve the kill. The dogs work great in warm weather but do not do well when it is very cold. The English Pointer often wins Pointing Field Trials over all other pointing breeds. The Pointer was first recognized by the AKC in 1884.