Overview
The Pointer is the archetypal British pointing gundog, bred in England since the seventeenth century to find game birds on open moorland and freeze on point until the shooter arrives. It is a tall, clean-limbed dog with a short coat, a long tail and a way of moving that eats up ground.
Away from the field, Pointers are gentle, affectionate and a touch sensitive. They are increasingly common in rescue after owners discover how much running is involved. For a walker they are a joy in open country and a trial in a town park.
Exercise and walking needs
Two hours a day is realistic for a healthy adult, and a lot of it should be at speed. Big open spaces where the dog can quarter back and forth, off lead or on a very long line, are what the breed needs.
In the wrong environment they become anxious and destructive. Two short lead walks a day will not do.
On the walk
- Recall: Better than people expect because the dog wants to work with you, but a hare will take it away. Whistle drills keep it sharp.
- Ranging: A Pointer casts a long way out; two hundred metres is normal. Decide how far you are comfortable with and bring it in before then.
- Other dogs: Friendly and playful. They rarely cause friction but can flatten a small dog at full gallop.
- Weather: Thin coat and low body fat. A waterproof in the rain and a shorter route in hard frost.
- The point: If the dog freezes mid-stride with a paw raised, it has found something. Walk up quietly and call it off rather than yanking.
Tips for professional walkers
- Head for farmland, heath or beach. Woodland and town parks frustrate this breed.
- Train a whistle recall and reward the dog every time it checks back of its own accord.
- Carry a long line for places with livestock and use it without apology.
- Keep paws in mind on stony ground; Pointers run hard and split pads.
What to ask the owner
- How far is the dog allowed to range, and does it work to a whistle?
- Has it ever been near sheep, and what happened?
- Any stomach trouble, and should the dog rest after exercise before eating?