Overview
The Old Danish Pointer, or Gammel Dansk Honsehund, is a stocky white and liver gundog built heavier and slower than the English Pointer. It was developed in Denmark in the eighteenth century from local farm dogs and Spanish pointing stock, and it hunts at a steady pace close to the handler rather than casting wide.
That working style produces an unusually calm dog for a pointer. They are affectionate, settled in the house and tolerant of other dogs, with a strong nose and a quiet determination once they find a scent. In the UK the breed is scarce and most owners are enthusiasts.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour and a half a day of steady exercise is about right, and these dogs are happy to take it as one long, nose-down walk rather than a sprint. Fields and woodland edges suit them; they will cover ground methodically and check back often.
The short coat gives little protection from cold rain, so a wet winter walk should keep moving. They cope with warm weather better than many heavy breeds but still need water and shade.
On the walk
- Recall: Generally good, because the breed works close to its handler. Ground scent can draw them away in a straight line, so keep an eye on where the nose is going.
- Pulling: Mostly steady, but thirty-plus kilos of dog leaning into a scent will move you. A harness and a firm lead routine are enough for most.
- Other dogs: Placid and sociable with the majority of dogs. They tolerate boisterous company without joining in and rarely start anything.
- Pointing: The dog will freeze when it scents game birds, sometimes for a long time. Let it hold for a moment, then call it on; dragging it away teaches nothing.
Tips for professional walkers
- Carry a long line for the first few outings in open country until you have seen the recall work on scent.
- Dry the dog off in winter; the thin coat holds cold water against the skin.
- Give it one longer walk rather than two short ones when the schedule allows.
What to ask the owner
- Does the dog work in the field, and how does it behave around game birds and livestock?
- Any hip or elbow problems, and does the vet set limits on distance or jumping?
- Is there a cue the owner uses to release the dog from a point and bring it on?