Here is our collection of pictures of English Pointer Dogs.
English pointers are also called just “Pointers” in the USA. In just about every other country of the World, they are referred to as English Pointers. These are handsome and energetic dogs. They get their name from the characteristic pose they adopt when they detect a game animal – they stand stock still, staring at the hare or bird, with their tail straight out behind them and one front paw held off the ground. This is called “pointing”.
Pictures of English Pointer Dogs
English Pointer Temperament
The main thing about the English Pointer is its seemingly inexhaustable energy level. This breed is very athletic, and needs plenty of exercise. They also need to be active mentally, and can become bored and destructive if left alone without the chance to run.
Young dogs up to the age of around 2 years also seem to bounce around a lot. Care must be taken if small children or infirm adults are in the area. Once past 2 years of age, the English Pointer starts to calm down, but the exercise requirements stay the same!
With the endurance to last a full day’s hunting, the Pointer needs at least one long walk each day, as well as a large fenced yard to run around in. They are not well suited to apartment life. They also enjoy (and do well in) sports like obedience trials, agility trials, tracking, and of course running sports like Canicross.
English Pointers have a soft, gentle nature, and get on well with other dogs as well as children. They are not loud dogs, and don’t bark excessively. Also, they do not drool excessively, and only need minimal grooming. This is a low maintenance dog breed, apart from the exercise requirements!
English Pointer Breed History
According to the American Kennel Club, the first English Pointers appeared in England around 1650. At that time, before the advent of reliable hunting guns, they were used with sight hounds to hunt hare. The Pointer would detect the prey animal, and “point”. The sight hound (usually a greyhound) would then give chase and catch the hare.
As reliable hunting guns became more popular in the 1700s, the Pointer was used to seek out and point game birds such as grouse and pheasant. In this style of hunting, 2 Pointers were employed to seek out the bird and “point” from different angles, allowing the hunter to locate the game accurately. The hunter could now shoot the game bird, and the Pointer had a new, additional job – retrieving the downed game birds.
Ease of Training
The English Pointer is not difficult to train, but they can be easily distracted. They are always on the lookout for a small animal to detect and Point at, so the main challenge in training is to hold the dog’s attention. This means that short training sessions of just 15 minutes or so are best, repeated 2 or 3 times a day.
This means they are best suited to experienced dog owners, would also benefit from some sessions with a professional dog trainer.
English Pointer Grooming
This is an easy breed to look after. The short, dense, glossy coat only needs a weekly brushing with a soft-bristle brush or a hound glove. This will remove dirt and loose hair and keep the dog looking good.
The ears should be checked each week for any signs of injury or infection, such as redness, swelling or a bad smell. The dog’s claws should be trimmed often if not worn down naturally, as overly long nails can cause the dog discomfort and problems walking and running.
The teeth should be brushed each day with a dog-specific toothpaste, NOT a human toothpaste, using a small soft brush to gently massage the gums and remove dental plaque.
Vital Statistics
Height; 25 – 27 inches (males), 23 – 26 inches (females.
Weight; 55 – 75 lbs (males), 45 – 65 lbs (females).
Lifespan; 12 to 17 years.
Colors; Black, Black & White, Liver, Liver & White, Orange, Orange & White, White.
English Pointer Protection
This is a gentle breed of dog. Although they may be a little cautious of strangers at first, they quickly become best friends with everyone! The English Pointer is unlikely to give you any protection against unwanted intruders – they are just too soft and trusting. They may well bark if they sense something wrong, but you could not rely on this breed as a watch dog, let alone a guard dog.
Health Considerations
English Pointers are generally very healthy dogs, and responsible breeders will screen their stock for health conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye disorders. Like other large and deep-chested dogs, Pointers can experience bloat, a sudden, life-threatening stomach condition. Owners should learn what signs to look out for, and what to do should they occur.
Famous English Pointer dogs
The most famous English Pointer is probably Judy, a white female English pointer who was the only animal that got held captive and officially got recorded as a “Prisoner of War” during the World War II, in China.
