Pointer

General Information - Pointer

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History

Although the modern Pointer has existed for about 100 years, its development began in the late 17th century in England. The Spanish Pointer, no longer able to keep up with the fast pace of hunters using advanced rifles and guns, was crossed with the Foxhound to create a dog with more speed and endurance. Others have also suggested that crosses with Setters, Bloodhounds, Greyhounds and Bulldogs were used to provide qualities such as scenting ability, concentration, nerve, stamina and amenability to training. While many of the crosses proved disastrous, breeders persisted until the Pointer was perfected; it has since then earned the reputation of "gun dog par excellence." On the hunt, the dog carries its head high, searching out the scent of game in the air and freezes "on point" when it has located the quarry. The Pointer was one of the original breeds shown at the first dog show ever held. The event took place in Newcastle-on-Tyne in England, in 1859. By 1877, there were over 100 Pointers exhibited at the Westminster Kennel Club show. Since then, it has remained an extremely popular hunting dog and a moderately popular show dog. The breed in New Zealand has a long and honorable history both in the field and at shows. They were certainly active in New Zealand in the 1800s and probably had their heyday from the 1930s to the 1960s when they were considered world class both as working and show dogs by overseas judges. As a working gundog here, their place has been taken over by the continental utility dogs such as the German S/H Pointer and the Weimaraner, and consequently they nearly died out at the end of the 1960s. In the 1980s there was a resurgence of interest in the breed and it is slowly increasing again in numbers.

Temperament

The Pointer is affectionate, good with children, loyal, intelligent, and clean. It is eager, alert and responsive in the field and requires regular exercise off-lead. The Pointer is well adapted to life in the home, but enjoys life most when it can perform the duties for which it was created. Its oft mentioned stand-offishness is a myth.

Upkeep

The Pointer needs exercise, and lots of it. It needs at least an hour of exertion every day. It is best when it has a regular opportunity to hunt, but it also enjoys running and searching the wilds on long jaunts a field. At home, it needs space to exercise outdoors and should not be expected to sit inside all day. The pointer can live outdoors in temperate to warm climates, as long as it is given a soft bed and warm shelter. It needs canine or human companionship, however, and does far better when allowed to spend time with its family. It requires only an occasional brushing to remove dead hair.

Pointer

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

Breed Standard - Pointer

Characteristics: The Pointer should be symmetrical and well built all over. Alert, with the appearance of strength, endurance and speed.

Head and Skull: The skull should be medium breadth and in proportion to the length of foreface, the stop well defined, pronounced occipital bone. Nose and eye rims dark, but may be lighter in the case of a lemon and white-coloured dog. The nostrils wide, soft and moist. The muzzle somewhat concave and ending on a level with the nostrils, giving a slightly dish:faced appearance. The cheek bones should not be prominent. Well developed soft lip.

Eyes: The same distance from the occiput as from the nostrils. A slight depression under the eyes, which should be bright and kindly in expression, not bold or staring and not looking down the nose. The colour of the eyes either hazel or brown according to the colour of the coat.

Mouth: Scissor bite, neither under nor overshot.

Neck: Long, muscular, slightly arched, springing cleanly from the shoulders and free from throatiness.

Ears: The ears should be set on fairly high and lie close to the head, they should be of medium length and inclined to be pointed at the tips.

Forequarters: The shoulders long, sloping and well-laid back. The chest just wide enough for plenty of heart room. The brisket well let down, to a level with the elbows. The fore legs straight and firm, of good oval bone with the back sinews strong and visible. The knee joint should be flat with the front of the leg and protrude very little on the inside. Pasterns lengthy, strong and resilient.

Body: Well:sprung ribs, gradually falling away at the loin, which should be strong, muscular and slightly arched. The couplings short. The haunch bones well spaced and prominent, but not above the level of the back. The general outline from head to tail being a series of graceful curves, giving a strong but lissom appearance.

Hindquarters: Well turned stifles. The hock should be well let down and close to the ground. A good expanse of thigh, which should be very muscular, as should also the second thigh.

Feet: The feet oval, with well:knit, arched toes, well cushioned underneath.

Gait: Smooth, covering plenty of ground with each stride. Driving hind action, elbows neither turning in nor out. Definitely not a hackney action.

Tail: The tail of medium length, thick at the root, growing gradually thinner to the point. It should be well covered with close hair and carried on a level with the back, with no upward curl. With the dog in movement the tail should lash from side to side.

Coat: The coat should be fine, short, hard and evenly distributed, perfectly smooth and straight, with a decided sheen.

Colour: The usual colours are lemon and white, orange and white, liver and white, and black and white. Self colours and tricolours are also correct.

Size: Desirable heights - Dogs 63 - 69 cm (25 - 27 in). Bitches 61 - 66 cm (24 - 26 in).

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.