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Pointer

General
Other Names		English Pointer
Dog Group Kennel Club		Gundog
Breed Classification		Pointers belong to the gundog group and are used as companions, as field sports dogs and in the show-ring.
Cost of Ownership
Average Food Cost		£7.50-10 per week
Feeding Requirements		As puppies, this breed must be fed on high-quality food and the breeder's diet sheet followed carefully. The cost of feeding will reduce as they reach maturity.
		Try Royal Canin Breed Specific Dog Food
Other Expenses		The average cost of a puppy is £500.
Average Puppy Price		£300-500
Lifespan		9 - 15 years Pointers will live 13 to 14 years.
Average Litter Size		6 Litters can be anything from 1 puppy to 10, although the average is 6.
General Physical Description		Pointers have a lithe, athletic frame. Their whole appearance is one of graceful curves. Pointers are muscular dogs, covering the ground smoothly and at good speed, with a driving hind action. Their coats are perfectly smooth, straight and short with a tremendous sheen. They carry their heads nobly and proudly. Their most distinguishing features are the slight concavity on top of their muzzles which gives their noses a tip-tilted appearance and the typical pointer stance with tail and foreleg raised and head extended towards the quarry.
Height Min Max Bitch 61cm (24") 66cm (26") Dog 63cm (25") 69cm (27") Weight Min Max Bitch 26kg (57lbs) 26kg (57lbs) Dog 30kg (66lbs) 30kg (66lbs)
Size Category		Medium
Weight Height Range		Bitches measure 61 to 66cms at the withers and weigh around 26kgs. Dogs measure 63 to 69cms and weigh around 30kgs.
Ailments		Pointers are relatively hardy dogs with few inherited problems. Hip screening of the parents is a must as is regular inspection of the coat to ensure any skin problems are dealt with promptly. Self-inflicted injuries usually appear between 3 to 9 months,
Common Ailments		Neurotoxin Osteopathy Degeneration of the Spinal Cord Gout
Susceptibility To Illness		Low
Other
History		The exact origin of the Pointer is not entirely clear: whether they originate from Spanish Pointers or from Continental Pointers is uncertain. What is certain is that English Pointers date back to the 1600's, a native breed to the British Isles, being used to 'point' game out to hunters. These early dogs worked with Greyhounds in hare-coursing, the Pointers being used to point out hares for the Greyhounds to seize. In the early 1700's, wing shooting came into fashion and this was when their true skills became apparent. To this day, Pointers are exceptional hunting dogs.
Intelligence		Pointers are intelligent and therefore learn reasonably quickly. Because of their sensitive natures, training should be done with kindness and rewards. They do not like to be dominated.
Show Characteristics		The skull should be of medium breadth with a well-defined stop and prominent occiput. The nose and eye-rims should be dark although they can be lighter in the case of the lemon and white dog. The muzzle is slightly concave giving a slight dish-faced appearance. The jaws should be strong with a complete scissor bite. The eyes should be hazel or brown, depending on the colour of the coat and should be bright with a kind expression. The ears should be set on fairly high, lying close to the head, medium length and slightly pointed at the tips. The neck should be long and muscular and well-arched. The back should be short-coupled and muscular, with well-sprung ribs. The coat should be fine, short and hard. The shoulders should be long, sloping and well-laid back. The forelegs should be straight and firm with good oval bone and the backlegs very muscular with well-turned stifles and a good expanse of first and second thigh. The hocks should be well let down. The feet should be oval and well-knit with arched toes and be well-cushioned. The tail should be of medium length, thick at the root, tapering gradually to a point, well-covered with close hair, carried level with the back with no upward curl. In movement, the tail should lash from side
Country Of Origin		England
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics
Energy		Medium
Overall Exercise		> 2 hours per day. Because they are primarily field sports dogs, they need plenty of exercise. After puppyhood, free galloping is a necessity on a regular basis. Care must be taken when allowing them off the lead as they are hunting dogs and, as such, will gallop off on their own. They do need a good-sized garden which is well enclosed with a fence of at 1 1/2 to 2 metres high as they can and will jump.
Distress Caused if Left Alone		High
Personal Protection		Low
Suitability As Guard Dog		Low
Risk of Sheep Worrying		Medium
Tendency to Bark		Low
Ease of Transportation		High
Level of Aggression		Low
Compatibility With Other Animals		High
Suitable For Children		High
General Character And Temperament		Pointers are more popular as working dogs than as pets although they are ideally suited towards home life. They are friendly, affectionate and obedient dogs who get on well with other dogs and household animals if introduced to them early on in their lives. They are generally loving and patient towards children and they love to be included in all family matters. They need human contact and are very much in tune with household circumstances. Because of their friendliness, they are not ideal guard dogs, greeting everybody in the same welcoming manner, but they will bark when someone comes to the door. Pointers are known for their even and kind dispositions. Because of their fine skins, Pointers need to be kept in warm, draught-free conditions. They will become destructive and are prone to behavioural problems if left alone for too long.
Grooming
Coat Length		Short/Smooth
Grooming Requirement		< Once a week
Trimming		None
Requires Professional Groomer
Grooming		One of the easiest breeds to groom, Pointers only need a brush over during the moulting seasons. However regular inspection of the coat should be made as skin problems can occur.
Colour		Pointers come in lemon and white, orange and white, liver and white and black and white. Self colours and tricolours are also seen.
Shedding		Little
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies

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