GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 61-69cm (24”-27”).
Colour: Lemon, orange, liver or black with white. Self colours or tri-colours also acceptable.
Coat: Short, straight, hard and fine with a sheen.
Gait: Lifting legs cleanly but never in a hackney fashion. Free flowing with the tail lashing from side to side The modern Pointer is every inch a Gundog with clean powerful limbs and always eager to hunt. The long skull has a prominent occiput, a defined stop and well developed lips cover the jaws. In profile, the muzzle displays a somewhat ‘dishfaced’ concave appearance. The ears are set back and hang to the side. The clean slightly arched neck runs into a muscled back. The loin is strong with well spaced and prominent haunch bones. The oval forelegs have strong resilient pasterns and well arched oval feet.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
Taking their name ‘Pointer’ from their ability to freeze, remaining totally motionless with their head extended and pointing towards the sighted game, these dogs have been known to hold this position for over an hour. Sometimes they have one foreleg raised and remain in a slightly crouched position. When competing in Field Trials, due to their excellent scenting powers, this breed regularly takes out top honours. Added advantages for those interested in trialling are that they mature earlier than some of the setter breeds and love hunting so much they will work for people other than their owners. In temperament they are normally very stable, affectionate and energetic. These dogs enjoy plenty of running. Only minimal coat care is required with occasional brushing.
HISTORY
Origins of the Pointer’s ancestry are obscure. The Spanish Setter which arrived in Britain during the 14th century may be one progenitor but a more popular theory is that the breed type started around 1650 through blends of the Foxhound, the Greyhound and the Bloodhound. Certainly Britain can take the credit for perfecting the breed type we know today.