About the Breed
The original purpose of the Pointer was to find and indicate a ‘point’ where hares were lurking, so that Greyhounds could then be brought in to run them down. The advent of shooting, however, saw the role of the Pointer modified to finding suitable game for the guns. Pointers are therefore essentially working dogs, but can settle in the home if they have plenty of exercise as well.
The influence of the Pointer (its ‘frozen’ stance characteristic of its field work) has extended into, many other contemporary gundogs, although its origins are now unclear. It has been suggested that it may first have been bred in Spain, using a combination of Bloodhounds, Greyhounds and Foxhounds. The Spanish Pointer is a heavier breed today than its English counterpart, which is the form known simply as the Pointer. It is bred in a variety of colours, including lemon, orange and black and liver, as well as combined forms with white. Tricoloured forms are also known.
Like the Spaniel group, the Pointer originated in Spain, where, during the early 17th century, it was famous for its ability to point to the bird with its nose, body and tail in a straight line. At the time, it was a slow and ponderous animal. In an attempt to produce a speedier dog a cross of Foxhound blood was introduced at the time but without success since the hound’s instinct is to seek scent on the ground whilst a setting dog should find it in the air. The Pointer was one of the two breeds at the first British dog show held at Newcastle in 1859.
Height 25-27 in (63.5-68.5)
Weight 44-66 lb (20-30 kg)
Coat type/colour Coat short and smooth. Colour white with liver, black or lemon markings, although whole blacks are sometimes seen. Ears long, thin and silky; body lithe and muscular; the deep muzzle should be somewhat concave; tail long and tapering; should lash from side to side when the dog is moving.

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