English Pointer Dog Breed Information

The English Pointer is a medium-sized dog that is active, fast and excellent bird hunting dog. They do not do well in an apartment as they require regular activities and the apartment is not suitable for it to exercise. They do well in a house with a big area or a back yard or garden for them to play, run, and work.

The English Pointer has a body that is lean but muscular. The head is proportional to the muzzle. Their eyes are round, big and darker in color and the ears are set on the eye level which is naturally hanging. The coat is short, smooth, dense and silky which is very easy to groom and keep it clean.

Origin and History

The English Pointer was originated in England in 1650 as a pointing dog which used to locate Hares. It is said that the English Pointer was originated from the crossing of the breeds like Foxhound, Greyhound, Bloodhound, and Setting Spaniel. Their job was to point out the location of the prey and the hounds would chase them.

When the wing-shooting rise in the 1700s, the English Pointers were used as a gun dog who became devoted to their work.

The English Pointer admirers claim that there is no other dog better than English Pointer in pointing and retrieving game birds. It was officially recognized by American Kennel Club in 1884 as a member of the Sporting Group.

Is English Pointer Child-Friendly?

English Pointer loves children and can become a great companion for them. They do much better with children if they are raised together. They love spending time with children and keep being playful around them to keep them entertained.

They also do well with kids outside the family too but they do not tolerate rough playing with them. Therefore, their interaction with children should be supervised.

Temperament, Behavior, and Personality

Temperament: The English Pointer is an even-tempered, independent, and devoted dog. They are calm but very alert which makes them a great watchdog. They are patient, friendly, affectionate, and loving of the family members.

It has the capability to adopt any new situation and are usually reserved around strangers. However, if socialized at an early age, they get along with strangers well.

Behavior: The English Pointer is a gentle but very active dog that needs regular exercise. If they are not given some activities to do or take out for a run or play, they become very anxious. These will leads to excessive barking despite they are not generally a barker.

Personality: The personality of the English Pointer is active, docile, and sometimes mischevious. When with their family, they are fun and very playful. While playing they are also alert about the activities going around. They are a protective family dog.

Trainability

The English Pointer is an independent dog and while training, they can become stubborn. They cannot be handled by a novice owner and they only need an experienced dog owner who knows the behavior of the dogs.

The owner should establish firm leadership upon them and should gain their trust and respect. Use positive methods of training to motivate them in training. Reward them with delicious treats and encouraging vocal praises. After the basic obedience class, enroll them in agility training.

Facts

• The English Pointer starts to gain its hunting instinct at the age of 2 months.
• It is the first dog used for the game.
• The English Pointer ranks 173 of 193 AKC registered dog breeds.
• It is a first eight breed registered in America which is in 1878.

Health Issues

The English Pointer has a life expectancy of 12-17 years on average. During these years, they can suffer from following canine diseases:

Progressive Retinal Atrophy: It is an eye disease that can cause night blindness and if not treated in time, they will slowly lose daytime vision as well. The dog’s eyes become very reflective when a light shines on them. In the dim light, they tend to bump on things. So, take your dog to a board-certified veterinarian for a check-up.

Hip Dysplasia: The dislocation or undeveloped joints in the hip is called hip dysplasia. It is mostly genetic that cause moving your dog from one place to another difficult and painful. Therefore, consult a vet before it gets worse.

Colors

The English Pointer comes in following colors and markings:

• Black
• Black and White
• Lemon
• lemon and White
• Liver
• Liver and White
• Orange
• Orange and White
• Markings: black points, liver points, ticked, self-colored points.

Puppies

Cost: The average cost of the English Pointer puppy is between $400-$500. However, the price may vary with the quality of breeders.

Height and Size: The average height of the male English Pointer is 25-28 inches and female is 22-26 inches. The average weight of the male is 55-75 pounds and the female is 45-65 pounds.

Similar Dog Breeds to English Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointer

Portuguese Pointer

Braque de Bourbonnais

Pudelpointer

Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer

Visit Doglime for more information about dog breeds history, behavior, training, and puppies.

• About English Pointer Dogs
• Dog Breeds That Start With P
• Hunting Dogs
• Medium Sized Dogs