Pointer

The Pointer hails from England sometime around the 17th century. The breed was developed to work with hunters and was thus required to be self-reliant, strong and fearless.

This breed is famous for its pointing stance, which is used to alert hunters when they find a bird.

The Pointer is also referred to as the English Pointer.

Personality

Determined, courageous, high-energy, graceful and intelligent sporting dog

Size

45-75 pounds
23-28 inches at the withers (shoulder)

Lifestyle

Love to belong to a dog or human pack; happiest when surrounded by other bodies
While this is a high-energy dog, with the right amount of daily exercise, Pointers are calm indoors and enjoy lounging about
Slightly aloof but can easily coexist with older children and other animals
Best suited to the country or suburbs where they can have plenty of outdoors time

Training

While Pointers certainly have a stubborn streak, they will respond to firm-but-gentle, consistent, tolerant training

Exercise

Renown for their boundless energy, they need lots and lots (and lots) of daily exercise to be calm indoors
Multiple daily walks and plenty of play in a secured area
Excellent for agility and other types of dog sports

Coat

Short coat that is usually white with liver spots, but it can have black, lemon or orange markings as well
A weekly brushing will remove dull hairs and keep the coat shiny

Health

An enduring breed that can be genetically prone to cataracts, deafness, cherry eye, epilepsy, entropion, progressive retinal atrophy and umbilical hernia

Lifespan

12-14 years

Rescue

Contact PointerRescue.org, a group of volunteers across the U.S. dedicated to the rescue of this breed.

PHOTO: Pleple2000

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