What Are Pointers?

The pointer is a breed of dog that was developed for finding hares in Great Britain. The dog gets its name from the pointed stance it takes when it has found its target. Individuals who are interested in purchasing a pointer should research the breed beforehand to ensure that it is a suitable choice.

  1. History

    • The pointer was developed in the 1650s by cross breeding a number of dog breeds, including the fox hound, greyhound, blood hound and bulldog, according to DogBreedInfo.com. The result was a dog that was talented at tracking and finding game, such as hares. Pointers were used to find game before greyhounds were released to capture it. The breed grew in popularity during the 1700s and became a recognized breed of the American Kennel Club in 1884. The breed is still used as a tracking dog, although it is also kept as a pet.

    Physical Characteristics

    • The adult pointer stands at between 23 and 28 inches in height and can weight between 44 and 75 pounds. The breed can be identified by its hanging ears, which are somewhat pointed in shape, deep muzzle, long neck, straight front legs, long tail and short-haired coat. The pointer should also have round eyes that differ in color from the coloration of its coat. The pointer can be seen sporting a variety of color types, such as black, lemon, liver or orange. The pointer's coat can either be a single block color or have markings that are combined with white. The dog's nose is dark in color if the coat is also dark, although the nose is lighter in lighter-colored dogs.

    Temperament

    • The American Kennel Club describes this breed of dog as even-tempered, courageous and hard-working. The dog is also known to be extremely energetic and requires a high amount of mental and physical stimulation to be content and to prevent behavioral problems from developing, such as chewing and destroying furniture in the home. The pointer is ideal for active families, and the breed is also known to be gentle and patient with children as well as other dogs. The pointer is easy to train, although it can be distracted by small animals.

    Health

    • According to DogBreedInfo.com, the pointer can be prone to a number of health problems including hip dysplasia, in which the dog experiences walking difficulties because of abnormal hip formation. The pointer can also suffer from an under-active thyroid gland that can be caused by allergies as well as skin problems. The pointer has a life expectancy of between 13 and 14 years.