Pointer dog - The best pointing dog breed in England
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Learn about the Pointer dog - a hunting dog breed from England, known for its elegant appearance and unique "pointing" instinct, gentle and friendly temperament.
The Pointer dog - the most famous hunting dog breed in England - not only impresses with its strong appearance and aristocratic demeanor but also has a unique "bait pointing" instinct, rare in other hunting dog breeds. Nowadays, thanks to its elegant appearance, intelligence and loyalty, the Pointer is no longer just a hunting dog but has become a popular pet in many families.
Through the article below, the dog breed will help you discover all the information about the origin, characteristics as well as interesting habits and behaviors of this English pointer breed. Let's find out now!
Origin & development of Pointer dog
English Pointer dog with typical "pointing" stance.
The Pointer, whose full name is English Pointer, is one of the most classic and prestigious hunting dogs in England. They appeared from the late 17th to early 18th centuries - the period when gun hunting was most popular among European aristocrats.
The English Pointer is not a purebred breed but is the result of crossbreeding from many different dog breeds, typically:
- Spanish Pointer: Genetic Background
- Greyhound: Improves Speed
- Foxhound, Bloodhound and Setter: Improves Sniffing and Hunting Instincts
⟹ The result is the current Point dog with excellent bird hunting ability and can locate prey by “pointing” its nose - a characteristic “pointing” behavior
The name “Pointer” of this dog breed comes from their typical hunting behavior - when they detect prey, they will stop moving, raise one front leg, head and nose towards the prey - this is the typical “pointing” posture.
Pointer dog development and recognition process:
- In the late 19th century, the UK Kennel Club recognized the English Pointer as an independent breed.
- In 1884, the AKC recognized the Pointer breed and they became increasingly popular in the United States.
- Nowadays, Pointer is not only a hunting dog but also an excellent performing dog breed in dog shows thanks to its elegant and noble appearance.
Pointer dog physical characteristics
The English Pointer has a slender, elegant appearance.
The English Pointer is considered one of the most elegant and noble hunting dog breeds, especially with its characteristic “pointing” posture. Find out more details below.
Size & Body
- Height: Male 63 - 69 cm, female 61 - 66 cm
- Weight: Male 25 - 34 kg, female 20 - 30 kg
- Body Structure: Firm, deep chest, slim stomach, defined waist
- Back: Straight, strong, wide hips
- Deep shoulders and legs: Developed, good jumping and acceleration ability
Head & Face :
- Long, symmetrical head with a slight furrow in the middle of the forehead
- Long, square muzzle
- The nose is large, alert, usually black, brown or liver - depending on coat colour but usually dark tones.
- Round eyes are brown or amber, with a steady, intelligent gaze.
- Soft, thin ears that fold over the cheeks
Legs & Tail :
- Long, straight, strong legs, oval feet with slightly arched toes
- Tail is slender, of medium length, thick at the base, tapering towards the end - “whip tail” type
Coat & Coat Color:
- Short, smooth, close-fitting coat that is easy to care for
- Popular coat colors: white with brown spots, white with black spots, white with orange spots,...
What are the typical habits & behaviors of Pointer dogs?
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Pointer dog with unique "pointing" pose.
Pointer is one of the famous hunting dog breeds with unique "pointing" instincts and a gentle, loyal temperament. Let's learn more about the habits & typical behaviors of this dog breed right below!
Strong prey instinct
Originally bred for hunting birds, Pointer dogs have a super-sensitive sense of smell and a top-notch tracking instinct. They can sniff out prey from a distance and quickly detect their prey’s location, then automatically assume a “pointing” position to show it to the hunter.
Nowadays, although kept as pets, that hunting instinct is still very strong, often expressed through their love of stalking birds, mice or small animals moving in the garden.
Hyperactive and has a high need for exercise
English Pointers have extremely high energy, they need to be physically trained and exercised every day through activities such as walking, running, playing fetch or formal training to release energy.
If they are kept in a cage for too long and lack exercise, they will become destructive, biting objects or barking loudly.
Friendly, outgoing
Pointers are extremely gentle, friendly and easygoing dogs, especially with children and other pets (if socialized early). They are not suitable as guard dogs because they are not territorial or aggressive.
This breed of dog also loves to interact and be close to people, even if left alone for too long, they will feel stressed and sad.
Easy to train but somewhat independent
English Pointers are very intelligent, learning quickly from basic commands to specialized training. However, they are also highly independent, so sometimes they will be stubborn and ignore your commands, so you need to have patience and experience in training this cute little hunting dog.
High concentration ability
A very special trait of Pointers is their ability to concentrate very well while on duty. When sniffing or pointing at prey, they will be very focused and not distracted - this is an instinct that has been bred and selected over many years.
In particular, they also do not bark loudly and unreasonably, unless faced with a real threat.
Are Pointer dogs popular in Vietnam?
Compared to popular dog breeds such as Poodle, Husky, German Shepherd or Golden, Pointer is still a rather strange and little-known name, they are only present in very few high-class dog breeding or playing communities.
Reasons why English Pointer is not popular in Vietnam:
- Currently, Pointer dogs are mainly bred for professional hunting purposes - this form has not yet developed in our country.
- The cost of importing, caring for, and training Pointer dogs is quite high, only suitable for high-end, professional dog players.
Are Pointer dogs expensive?
Currently, Pointer dogs in Vietnam are mainly imported upon request, the price will fluctuate from a few to a few hundred million, depending on origin, age and pedigree. You can refer to the following price list for more details!
Pointer dog breed |
Reference price (VND/child) |
Pointer imported from Thailand without papers |
30 - 45 million VND (puppy) |
Pointer imported from Thailand with full documents |
45 - 70 million dong |
European imported pointer |
60 - over 100 million VND |
Interesting Facts About Pointer Dogs
Below are some interesting facts about Pointer, please learn more to see this dog from many different angles!
- Pointer dogs only detect and point out prey and do not have the task of chasing or retrieving like many other hunting dog breeds.
- Pointer has the ability to remain “immobile” for minutes just to focus completely on the target.
- During World War I, Pointer dogs were trained to search for wounded people on the battlefield.
- When he smells a trail, this dog may ignore your commands because his hunting instinct takes over.
Beautiful Pointer Dog Pictures
Right here, we invite you to admire the most beautiful and attractive Pointer dog images with a graceful appearance and intelligent, agile eyes. From the powerful hunting moments to the calm moments, all exude the aristocratic spirit of this English hunting dog breed.
Point dog with super beautiful white and brown fur.
An English pointer dog is resting on the grass.
English Pointer puppies with adorable appearance.
Two Point dogs are standing in the middle of a flower field.
Image of an English Pointer dog running on water.
English Pointer dog running through a field of flowers.
Picture of Point dog hunting with owner.
British pointer dog with his trophy after the hunt.
Hopefully, through the article that dogbreed.wiki shared above, it has helped you better understand the Pointer dog - the noble hunting dog of England. With its elegant beauty, loyalty and top hunting ability, this dog not only conquers enthusiasts of ancient hunting dog breeds but is also an ideal "companion" for every family.
If you want to discover more hunting dogs, pet dogs or other rare dogs in the world, don't miss the articles posted in our Blog section!