English Pointer

A breed that perfectly embodies both athleticism and companionship is the English Pointer. These canines, renowned for their extraordinary speed and acute sense of smell, have long been preferred hunting companions. But because of their amiable and devoted disposition, they make excellent family pets in addition to being excellent bird finders.

Characteristic	Description
Breed Type	Sporting
Size	Medium to large
Weight	45-75 pounds
Coat	Short, smooth
Temperament	Energetic, friendly, and loyal
Exercise Needs	High
Lifespan	12-15 years

The English Pointer is a remarkable breed that is well-liked by families and outdoor enthusiasts for its friendly nature and excellent hunting instincts. These dogs are perfect for active households because of their captivating appearance and endless energy. They need a lot of exercise to thrive. We’ll go over the background, character qualities, and maintenance requirements of English Pointers in this post to help you see why they make excellent pets in addition to excellent hunters.

General characteristics of the breed

An exciting and resilient dog for gun-based bird hunting is the English Pointer. The breed’s name translates as "arrow," "to stand," or "to point." This is because the dog, like a living pointer, spreads out into a stand when it detects prey during a hunt. The dog is elegant, lovely, and has an excellent sense of smell.

Pointers are extremely gregarious and form strong bonds with their owners and other family members, in contrast to other hunting dogs. Since they are able to distinguish between hunting and daily life, they get along well with all pets. It is not suited for being kept in a booth or aviary because it cannot tolerate loneliness.

Parameters	Characteristics
name	English Pointer (English. English Pointer)
Country of origin	Great Britain
Breed group according to the FCI classification	pointers
Use	Hunting dog, companion
Life expectancy	12-17 years
Height	Males 63-69 cm, females 61-66 cm
Weight	Males 25-34 kg, females 20-29 kg
Activity	High
Aggressiveness	No, very friendly
Care	Simple
Intelligence	Very smart

Pros

An enthusiastic sports owner may find the English Pointer to be a useful companion. The following benefits apply to these canines:

• Due to short hair and unpretentiousness, care uncomplicated;
• easy to train, pronounced hunting skills;
• balanced temperament;
• character is friendly, good-natured;
• good with children;
• get along with other pets;
• fast, hardy, suitable not only for hunting, but also for sports;
• have an attractive appearance.

Cons

English Pointers are athletic, energetic dogs. He needs to go for at least three hours of daily walks. Regular time spent in nature is essential. It is not advisable to keep this dog in an apartment in the city and is not appropriate for calm individuals or homebodies. However, people who travel frequently should also not receive advice because it necessitates face-to-face interaction. There are a few more drawbacks to the breed:

• due to hunting instincts, they often run after birds;
• can escape from the territory of the site, jumping over the fence;
• do not tolerate cold, do not like water;
• can be stubborn;
• eat a lot, are prone to obesity and bloating;
• get very bored without hunting.

History of the origin of the English Pointer breed

Pointer dogs are crossed with foxhounds, Spanish braccas, greyhounds, and other hunting breeds to create the English pointer breed. Graihounds, Foxsteriers, Buldogs, and ancient French marriages could also be used in breeding. While similar pointers had been known since the 16th century, they were brought from Spain, and the talk of a new breed began in Great Britain in the 18th century. Hunting for forest birds gained popularity during that period.

The aggressive traits of their parents were passed down to the progeny of Spanish Braques and British hounds. As a result, setters were used in breeding by breeders, which is how the pointer inherited traits like composure and good nature. This dog excelled at tracking wildlife. The breed became more and more well-known in the UK and other nations.

City people started to have pointers in the 19th century. Other breeds stopped being used in breeding after that. This dog was gorgeous, serene, and kind. The breed started to become more and more of a family breed. The dogs are still excellent hunters, but they can also make wonderful companions. Currently, Great Britain’s national treasure is the English Pointer.

This breed of dog first emerged in Russia in the mid-1800s. They were imported from Britain by nobility to hunt birds. Pointers started to be destroyed after the revolution, and the breed nearly vanished from Russia. Thanks to amateur efforts, it was preserved. English pointers were only formally acknowledged as a distinct breed by the FCI in 1963.

Description of the appearance of English pointers

It is clear from looking at the English pointer that it is a pointing dog. This medium-sized dog is robust, resilient, elegant, and adaptable. Operates smoothly, easily, and gracefully. When it lifts one front paw and spreads out into a string, it appears stunning in a stand.

Head

The cranium is broad, proportionate to the body, and harmoniously folded. The occipital protuberance and stop are both well-defined. The muzzle is angled obtusely. The lips are full, plump, and form a tight fit over the lower jaw without creating any folds. The cheeks are flat and the cheekbones are not prominent. powerful jaws and scissor bite. The nostrils are large, and the nose bridge is slightly hollowed out. Though it can be brown in dogs with light coloring, the nose is typically black.

The medium-sized, round eyes are spaced widely apart. The eyelids are black and fitted tightly; the color is either light or dark brown. The expression is cool and collected. The ears are medium in length, thin, and positioned high. It has a rounded tip and is triangular in shape. dangling and fitting snugly over the head.

Body

The neck has a smooth curve and is muscular and long. The body is sculpted with grace, flexibility, and harmony. The ribs are curved, the belly is tucked in, and the chest is broad, reaching the elbows. The back is erect, tapering at the loin and slanting slightly in the direction of the croup. The tail, whether lowered or extended parallel to the ground, carries on the back’s line. thick in the middle and gets thinner as it goes out.

Limbs

The robust skeleton supports straight limbs. muscular and parallel. Oblique shoulder blades with a long, angled metacarpus. long shins and large thighs. Oval paws with tightly gathered toes and dense pads are characteristic. The dog uses its hind legs to propel itself forward when it moves.

Coat and color

Coat is thin, straight, and short. It feels firm and shiny to the touch, and it fits the body snugly. Common two-color combinations include white and brown, lemon, black, liver, and orange. There are canines with piebald coats that have a hint of gray or even speckles. The standard permits single-color or tricolor, although they are uncommon.

The description of these dogs’ appearance is enhanced by photos:

Character of the English Pointer

Although it has strong hunting instincts, this dog makes a great companion. She treats the owner and every member of the family with the same kindness and devotion. She will follow orders from everyone she has known since she was a puppy. And all she asks for in return are love, care, and long walks filled with energetic games. These dogs possess the following characteristics:

• sociability;
• balance;
• unobtrusiveness;
• playfulness;
• friendliness;
• delicacy;
• self-confidence;
• curiosity;
• non-conflict.

The guard instincts of the pointer are not well developed. This dog is also amiable toward everyone, including strangers. She is kind and will never hurt children when speaking with them. She enjoys playing games even if she has no intention of becoming a nanny. Please don’t leave her alone with children, though, as pointers are not sensitive to height and may unintentionally drop a child.

When at home, pointers get along well with all animals and won’t hunt cats or rodents, especially if they have lived close by since they were puppies. They only get along poorly with birds; on the street, though, they do not chase pigeons as some other hunting breeds do.

Features of education and training

From the moment a puppy enters your home, you must begin raising him. He is first trained to obey others, adhere to fundamental laws, and carry out instructions. The first abilities are knowing your place and how to react to a nickname. A puppy learns the following commands starting at three months old:

• no;
• come;
• sit;
• stand;
• lie down;
• next to me;
• no;
• forward.

Early socialization is also essential to prevent the puppy from becoming lost in the crowds and noise of the street. When using a pointer, communication style should be controlled. Instead of yelling at the dog, discipline it physically. However, you also shouldn’t pardon transgressions. The dog won’t make a good hunter if he doesn’t learn obedience at home.

Training these animals should be varied; it’s best to approach it as a game and switch it up with running and other physical exercises. Pointers do well in agility and freestyle, and they enjoy chasing balls and frisbees. You must use affection and treats as forms of encouragement.

A pointer can be challenging to correctly train and train. They can be obstinate and determined. Consequently, it is not advised for novices to acquire this breed. Alternatively, you must enroll in a course that is taught by a qualified instructor.

Hunting with a pointer

The English pointer breed was made for hunting. It needs room; it will get very bored in an apartment in the city. Breeders observe that these dogs’ greatest loves are running and hunting. It performs admirably when hunting birds. It simply doesn’t like the water, so you have to teach it to bring games on its own.

These are loving dogs that don’t mind getting shot. Their sense of smell is highly developed and long-range. They stop when they detect a bird’s scent. The next step is for them to frighten the game until the owner fires. When a dog can walk close by, come when called, and react to its name, they start training it to hunt birds.

It is important to keep in mind that this breed does not fare well in the cold when using it for hunting. You can’t make them go into the water in the fall. Furthermore, a dog with thin fur is still vulnerable to injury from sharp branches and bushes.

This picture captures the essence of these dogs’ nature and behavior:

Maintaining an English pointer is best done at a private home with a sizable plot. However, it is not advisable to keep a dog in an aviary; instead, you should allow her to enter the house whenever she pleases. Because members of this breed adore the heat, you cannot leave them outside in the winter. Additionally, warm overalls are required for walks.

Even with the Pointer’s content, walking is necessary twice a day for one to one and a half hours. If your dog lives in an apartment in the city, you must walk it for at least three hours every day, and make sure you take it outside.

Taking care of these animals is easy. Wool with short fibers resists dirt. It should be brushed hard a couple of times per week. Take a sufficient two-year bath. Weekly use of veterinary lotion to clean ears.

Claws are shaken as needed, and cutting the wool between the fingers is advised. Following a hunt or a nature walk, you should check the eyes and ears and clean the fur of any debris. Make sure to treat parasites on a regular basis.

Nutrition

Lean, sinewy meat and cartilage should form the cornerstone of the pointer’s diet. Dogs are also fed offal, sea fish, cottage cheese, and other fermented milk products occasionally, as well as eggs. It is advised to combine the meat with rice or buckwheat porridge, along with some vegetables, greens, and vegetable oil.

A mature dog needs to eat twice a day. It is advised to feed it sparingly before heading out on the hunt, but liberally afterwards. Puppy food also needs multivitamins added to it, as they require calcium.

It is not recommended to give the canine:

• fatty, fried foods;
• smoked meats, sausages;
• pickles, marinades, hot spices;
• sweets, confectionery;
• flour products;
• chocolate;
• legumes

Some pet owners would rather give their animals dry food. If you go hunting for several days, this is convenient. With 600–700 g of food per day, this type of food is also simpler to dose.

There is no need for additional additives because the nutrient content of ready-made feeds is balanced. All you have to do is select holistic or ultra-premium products made for active dogs. This can include Acana, Bosch, Monge, and so forth. It is best to look for grain-free varieties because the breed’s members frequently have allergies.

Health

English pointers can live up to 15–16 years if given the right care and upkeep. Their average lifespan is 12–14 years. This breed’s representatives stand out for their robust immune systems and excellent health. But occasionally, the following illnesses do arise:

• joint dysplasia;
• arthritis;
• allergies;
• diseases of the organs of vision;
• skin diseases.

How to buy an English pointer puppy

If the dog is selected for hunting, you will need to find puppies from pointers that have demonstrated their abilities in the field. In a nursery, one can purchase a purebred puppy. However, having a pedigree does not ensure that a person has good shooting skills.

In Moscow, a purebred pointer typically costs between 20,000 and 30,000 rubles. Puppy without pedigree or with cosmetic defects can be purchased for $10,000–$15,000 plus. Adults who have received hunting training are also sold. The cost of such a dog is between 50,000 and 60,000 rubles.

The following factors should be taken into consideration when selecting a puppy:

• compliance with breed characteristics;
• activity, curiosity, lack of cowardice;
• clean eyes, ears;
• good appetite;
• pure smooth coat.

The traits of this breed are enhanced by the video:

English Pointer video. benefits and drawbacks of the breed

English Pointer video. characteristics of the breed, maintenance

Video: Description of the English Pointer breed

One breed that perfectly captures the essence of loyalty and companionship is the English Pointer. These dogs, who are well-known for their boundless enthusiasm and energy, do best in busy settings. They like to interact with their owners and the environment around them, whether it’s by going for walks in the park or taking part in field tests.

English Pointers are not only extremely athletic but also very loving and eager to please. They are great pets for people who can dedicate time and care to them, as they have a tendency to form strong bonds with their families. They get along well with children and other pets because of their amiable nature, but early socialization is essential to ensure that they develop into well-mannered adults.

It can be a fulfilling experience to train an English Pointer. They obey orders well because of their intelligence and eagerness to learn, but they also need patience and consistency. Using positive reinforcement methods can help you and your dog develop a solid, dependable bond.

To sum up, an English Pointer is a great addition to any active home and is much more than just a hunting dog. These dogs can fill your life with boundless happiness and vitality if given the proper attention, training, and affection. If you’re up for a challenge, an English Pointer could be your ideal companion.

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