Pointer

The Pointer knows how to do his job, and he takes pride in doing it well. His short, smooth coat shows off his handsome outline. He is sleek, muscular, and ready for action. The Pointer is an independent dog who likes to compete. His concentration is intense. He has strength, courage, and great dignity, but he is also a sweet companion and gentle with children.

The Pointer follows the scent of prey and then comes to a completely frozen position close to it, often raising up a front leg. This is called pointing. After the dog freezes into the point, he stays there until released by the handler. Working to locate birds in the field is his heart's greatest desire.

Records exist for the Pointer in England as far back as 1650. The Pointer is most likely made up of Foxhound, Greyhound, and Bloodhound, plus some early "setting spaniel."

A Pointer's eyes should be dark. His tail tapers to a fine point, and never curls up over his back. One distinctive feature of the Pointer is his upraised nose: When pointing or posing, he shows himself as true sporting royalty.

Excerpts from the Standard

General Appearance: Expressing compact power and agile grace; the head is noble and proud; intelligent and alert; muscular, showing both endurance and dash. A wide-awake, hard-driving hunting dog with stamina, courage, and the desire to go.

Size, Proportion, and Substance: Balance and symmetry are more important in the Pointer than size. However, size falls within a range. Height for males, 25 to 28 inches; females, 23 to 26 inches. Weight for males, 55 to 75 pounds; females, 45 to 65 pounds.

Fun Facts

In the early 1700s the English Pointer was bred with the Spanish Pointer to improve the dog's pointing ability even more. The pointing urge is so strong in this breed that puppies only a few months old may start pointing without any instruction or training.

Excerpted from The Complete Dog Book For Kids © 1996, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.