Description

A remarkable trait of Pointers is their ability to adapt to sub-urban life which has made this breed extremely in demand in the 20th Century. It’s ideal to take out for sports as well as is a very loyal pet. Thus this moderately sized dog enjoys its wide popularity today. Initially the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized all different sub-breeds of Pointer as one single breed. Today however there are several recognized breeds that have arisen from this common genetic pool, e.g. German Wirehaired Pointer. A specialty about Pointers is their graceful walking and sprinting. Their features are a mixture of different breeds. For example, the blunt nose of the Pointer resembles that of a Bull-Terrier, while its floppy ears are similar to that of the Hound. Its head is wider and has dark, bright eyes. It maintains a close coat, which sheds twice a year. However there is normal daily shredding also. A Pointer is a very good hunter, as it’s got a great eyesight courtesy its great height and ability to sprint on rough terrains with equal grace. Thus a well-trained Pointer is a dangerous athlete to challenge. Depending on your training the Pointer can be aggressive yet polite. The puppies must be trained from early on in life to make them social able with other dogs, although they have a tendency to befriend other pets and dogs. A Pointer can be found in different colors, and as such Dog shows give points to Dogs having noses matching their natural skin tone, i.e. dark for dark breeds. This is due to the intense diversification of the species. Their nails have matching colors with their coats. These dogs are generally more suited for open-air lifestyle, something that can’t be afforded in the apartment culture. They need heavy exercising and are likely to cause problems if left outside tied up and if not accepted in the “pack”. As such these animals are more suited to the sub-urban lifestyle with the animal being allowed to loiter in the yard. However make sure there is a fence all around the place of adequate height, as these dogs are good jumpers and may simply hop out of even very high fences once they get the taste of the outdoor life. The average life-span of the Greyhound is 12-14 years while they have an average litter size of 5-7 puppies. While the Male weighs about 55-75 pounds (25-34kg), it reaches heights of 25-28 inches (63-69cm). The females weigh 44-65 pounds (20-30kg) and reach heights of 23-26 inches (61-66cm).

Coat

Pointers are athletes. They are great Water-babies and have short-thick coats (which are solid or spotted) that excel in repelling water. They are naturally provided with sheen to keep them dry. They impart a special smoothness unlike other water dogs that are characterized by waves and kinks.

History

Although the exact origin of the Pointers is debatable we do know for sure that they were present in England as early as the 16th Century. They were then used to hunt. Pointers credit their origin to hounds like greyhounds, foxhounds and bloodhounds. Also their origin can be traced to bull-terriers. There is possibility that Spanish Pointers were brought to breed in England. The Pointers made their 1st appearance in America in the 19th Century for hunting and found solid footing in the Eastern US by 20th Century. A little trivia here is that the famous dog SENSATION today is the emblem of the Westminster Kennel Club.

Temperament

There generally isn’t much of a problem training a Pointer since they are bred to obey commands and be good hunters. They are also very loyal to their owners. The most common reason for Pointers being so popular is because of their ease with children. They are loyal to their packs, and tolerate all manner of shrill noises and ear pulling, without being so small that a falling toddler could injure a Pointer. Pointers also enjoy the company of humans very much and are brooders if left alone. They easily become patients of separation anxiety and should be trained keeping this in mind while very young. They are, however, bred to be constantly on the alert full of stamina, so they are always ready for anything you have in mind and perhaps for a bit more. If not exercised to their fullest potential, they can become agitated and sometimes even destructive.

At least two hours of exercise a day helps keeping destructive behavior at bay, but anything less than that can make your dog go a little stir-crazy. Those with wide backyards can afford to leave the dogs out for a while since they typically don't bark very much.

In general, Pointers are among the best dogs for young families. They are gentle and dedicated, and at the same time are able to guard the house with a single low, deep bark from behind the door. If the invader does actually get in your dog may not pose much of a threat, but most pointers will be aware of any break-ins and alert you.

With their humans they are just as delighted to run along on a bike ride as they are to content to just lie on the couch and watch TV. Their behavior is similar to that of Greyhounds who when retired from racing become notoriously lazy.

Health Problems

Pointers are in general a rather healthy breed, although some of the larger animals may develop hip disorders later in life as a consequence of aging. They are hard running puppies and tend to injure themselves early in life, though the injury is rarely serious.

Other genetically inherited problems include:

HIP DYSPLASIA: This degenerative disease is like arthritis and usually surfaces when the dog is middle aged. In general this is eradicated during breeding, and one should get a certificate stating that both parents and hopefully all grandparents were free from the condition.

SKIN PROBLEMS: Scaly skin and lumps are other inherited disorders. These can be treated but not eradicated.

EPILEPSY: This may be triggered by certain stressful activities such as driving the dog in the car in excess of an hour or so, or it may just happen randomly. Preventative medication is usually available from the vet.

Grooming

Grooming a Pointer is quiet easy. Their coat is literally trouble free and a weekly brushing, or simply a rubbing with a rough cloth should keep their hair down to a manageable level. The hair is somewhat rough and Pointers usually relish a good scalp massage. Thus brushes with long rubber points would do an excellent job of accomplishing both.

Your pointer dog should also be inspected frequently for the surfacing of the skin problems they can be prone to. If there is any noticeable change in the skin, make an appointment with the vet for advice.

Like most dogs, Pointers are prone to attack by fleas and ticks. For a dog with skin problems, it’s advisable to consult a doctor before administering a flea prevention program. At times the collars can cause severe allergies, and not all dogs can withstand the sub-dermal flea protection. For such dogs, natural methods of flea control such as eucalyptus or neem should be preferred.

Their claws often get worn due to their constant running, depending upon the topology. If the ground where the dog runs regularly is comparatively smoother, you may need to start some nail trimming. For this precise reason, it's advisable to get your pup habituated to having his or her paw handled for trimming. Thankfully, pointers are not very willful and will usually co-operative to any grooming.
Since their eras are floppy, they may require cleaning every few weeks. This should be attempted very carefully with a gauze pad, remembering to wipe only around the outside of the ear and not ever go into the ear canal.

Since the Pointer’s sheen comes from the protective oils their skin produces, one should avoid washing your dog as much as possible. A good rinse is tolerable but since most of them enjoy swimming, soapy bath should only be done annually.

Exercise

Pointers need to be thoroughly exercised, often in excess of two hours daily. So, if you're not keeping your dog outdoor, you must take them to the park quiet often or dedicate a great deal of your day to dog-walks. Of course, since very less people do have that much free time, and since they prefer to run around, pointers really appreciate having a nice big yard to sprint. Thus as long as the fence is of sufficient height, they can be allowed to enjoy in the backyard of a sub-urban residence. Sometimes when you are keeping more than one dog there sets a possibility that they may vary in age and the older one may get over worked-out. Thus if the dog shows any sign of fatigue or injury, one must give it time to take rest and consult a vet. Since they are very competitive, they run a high risk factor of injuring themselves in the race. However, this is a rarity and you can be assured your dog will make a brilliant companion for hikes in just about everywhere. Since their coat is short but thick, they can adjust to most climates and conditions.

Training

The Pointer is reputed for its ability to take orders in the field, as long as the commands are well known. Puppies are often start training from a very early age with running around and listening to verbal orders, though you shouldn't expect anything until you have really clarified yourself and make him repeatedly listen to the same request ,since they are not one of the smartest dogs. For those who wish to keep a Pointer only as a companion animal, the most vital training involves house-breaking and being social able with other people and dogs.

Let’s not try to confuse the dog and stick to positive repetition only. It's up to you to give your pointer all possible chances of being a good dog and conversely, eradicate all chances of error, when very young.

Housebreaking can take some time to be cured no matter how co-operative your dog is in obeying orders. Hence, it’s very important that you're stay around all the time during the housebreaking process to take cues from your pup and try to judge when it’s trying to tell you about its condition. Many people achieve successful crate training and the dogs receive great comfort in having a space of their very own. Be sure to order a sufficiently large crate to give your dog space to stand and turn around.

There shouldn’t be any need to shout with a pointer-depriving the dog of your company is often more than enough punishment, though it is advised that you don’t punish a dog for something he has done quiet long ago. They don’t have great memories and often forget what they do very soon after doing it.

You should begin training your dog to socialize as early as possible, giving your new Pointer pup umpteen chance to play (advisably Off-Leash), with other dogs. Pointers are rarely aggressive with other dogs, and instead like to run and play. The same is true for new people whether in or out of the family. However, if a family member is in danger, dog responds to an eye-catching defensive stand.

For successfully training a Pointer, they should be regularly thoroughly exercised. They are very energetic, especially when young, and respond to their training far more easily if they are allowed to blow out the steam. Hyperactivity in dogs, as well as children, can make training very difficult.

Pointers enjoy hanging out with their packs and will respond to a common set of commands from any member of the family. As with any breed of dog, persistence is the key to successful training.