Pointer Dog Breed

Posted by Jeanne on November 23, 2008

Pointers hunt birds by body scent (usually such birds as pheasant, quail, and grouse). When near enough to the game they stiffen into a point and as the hunter approaches, the birds rise and are shot on the wing. Many pointers are also taught to retrieve the birds after they are shot and fall to the ground. They have great endurance, intelligence, and powers of smell. They take the scent from the air rather than from the ground. They also make very desirable companions and are of affectionate disposition.

• Head – Skull long, moderately wide with forehead rising well at brows, showing marked stop. Full development of the occipital protuberance with slight furrow between eyes.
• Muzzle long, square and straight with widely opened nostrils, cleanly chiseled under the eyes.
• Nose black or dark brown except in the white and orange and white and lemon where deep flesh shades are permissible.
• Ears soft in coat, moderately long and thin in leather, not folding like the hound’s but lying flat and close to the cheeks and set on low without any tendency to prick.
• Eyes soft and of medium size, color black, in the white and black, hazel in the white and liver, black or deep hazel in the white and orange, brown varying in shade with that of coat in the white and lemon. In all colors of dogs the darker the eyes the more desirable.
• Lips well developed but not fluelike.
• Neck – Long, clean and firm, arched toward the head without suggestion of dewlap or throatiness.
• Shoulders and chest – Shoulders should be long, oblique and free from excessive width with top of blades dose. Chest, deep and as wide as a proper shoulder will permit. Ribs deep and well sprung, not narrowing too abruptly at the brisket.
• Body – Back should be strong with slight rise to top of shoulders. Loin of moderate length slightly arched. Hips wide which should fall slightly to the tail. Tail should be strong, tapered and carried above the line of back without curl. Quarters very muscular.
• Legs and Feet – Stifles moderately bent. Legs should be moderately short rather than long with plenty of bone. Front legs straight but with no tendency to knuckle. Elbows should be well down and straight. Hocks should be square with the body and slightly bent. Both front and back pasterns should be short, strong and nearly upright. Feet should be round, closely set, deep, well padded, and toes well arched. Coat should be short, flat and firm.
• Weight – Dogs fifty to fifty-five pounds and bitches forty-five to fifty pounds.
• Symmetry and quality is most essential. A dog well balanced in all points is preferable to one with outstanding good qualities and defects. A smooth frictionless movement with high head carriage is required and will always receive preference.