English pointer

Overall description of the breed

The English Pointer is one of the most well-known and widespread breeds of hunting dogs in the world. It has gained its popularity due to its numerous qualities as a hunting assistant, although its exact origins remain uncertain. Some breed specialists assert that it comes from southern Europe, primarily Spain and Portugal, and that its ancestor might be the Portuguese Pointer (Perdigueiro Português).

Others believe that the breed derives from the Italian Pointer, imported to England in the 18th century, where it was crossed with Fox Hounds, English Greyhounds, and English Bulldogs.

The common goal of all breeders was to combine the main qualities of each individual into an exceptionally efficient hunting dog. Valued for its speed and endurance, it quickly spread across England, Europe, and then to the United States around the 1875s, where its skills as a game pointer were highly sought after. Growing in popularity, the English Pointer was recognized by serious organizations like the AKC in 1878, and subsequently, it was definitively registered by the FCI on March 5, 1963.

The English Pointer is a large-sized dog, boasting a broad range of movement and substantial power. It possesses a solid bone structure and remarkable robustness. Its height at the withers is equal to its length, resulting in a square silhouette. With long legs, its lower limbs are thick, flexible, and endowed with marvelous speed.

Its chest is deep and narrow, the ribs curved, and the belly well tucked up. Combined with a clear topline, it gently rounds at the level of the kidneys. The hindquarters are muscular and powerful, providing it with considerable strength, propulsion, and dynamism.

Its head is proportionate to the rest of the body, with a slightly arched skull, a muzzle of medium length, and a clearly defined stop. The ears are thin, wide, and long, set high, with the tips falling beneath the jaws. The coat of the English Pointer is short, dense, and smooth. The coat colors accepted by the breed standard include white combined with black, orange, fawn, yellow, or brown.

The English Pointer is an exceptional companion dog coupled with an extraordinary hunting partner. It is attentive to its surroundings, lively, and intelligent, making it highly valued by numerous hunters worldwide. Its temperament is balanced, gentle, and affectionate towards its family, while it shows dynamism and determination outdoors. Its selection has been based for decades on the consistency of its character and loyalty.

Deeply attached to its owner, it is devoted and will follow them everywhere, retaining a certain level of independence during action. Its energy requirements are high; it needs to engage in regular physical activities to thrive, whether it's going for walks, tracking, or hiking. The English Pointer easily adapts to various situations and terrains.

Solitude is not an issue as long as its owners accustom it from a young age to being alone. The key for it is to be regularly stimulated by tracking or search activities. Although an excellent hunter, it is not a good guard dog and lacks a strong territorial instinct. However, it can be wary of strangers and is fully capable of alerting in case of danger.

As a top-tier companion dog, enjoyable to live with and an effective partner, the English Pointer possesses all the qualities to fill its owners with tenderness and satisfaction.

As an adult, it weighs between 20 and 30 kg (44 to 66 lb) and measures between 63 and 69 cm (25" to 27") at the withers for males, and between 61 and 66 cm (24" to 26") for females.