The Pointer dog, usually called
the English Pointer , belongs to a breed of dog that was originally used as hunting dogs in England a couple of centuries ago. The name "Pointer" comes from the dog's behavior when hunting: with its muzzle, along with its entire body, it pointed to the burrow or hiding place of the prey and, in this way, the hunter was able to aim and shoot effectively.
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Medium size .
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Weight : Between 16 and 34kg.
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Hair type : Very short and straight.
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Character : Gentle, Affectionate, Kind, Friendly, Loyal, Active
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Health : Healthy
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Life expectancy : Between 12 and 17 years.
The pointer falls into the category of mastiff dogs , which means that they are considered a large breed. Beyond this, the English Pointer has become an excellent family dog, thanks to its friendly temperament, its great tolerance towards children and other animals and the loyalty it shows towards its family members.
When it comes to choosing a new member of the family, there are not many that equal the English Pointer in all its qualities, since it will go from being a restless and playful animal to a calm companion with whom we can relax on a sunny afternoon. Sunday. Learn more about this breed and learn how to care for it before bringing one of these specimens into your home.
History of the Pointer
We can trace its history back several centuries, thanks to the fact that the English have always liked to include their pets in their writings and artistic works. There are several theories about where the English Pointer comes from, most agree that they come from Spain from the Pointer dogs of this country, others, however, seek their origins in countries such as Italy or France. However, it cannot be said that the current English Pointer comes only from this breed, in the 17th century the Spanish pointers arrived in England, at the same time as the Italian pointers. It is believed that the fusion of both species gave rise to the dog that we know today as the English Pointer,
one of the best known hunting dogs . From the beginning, these dogs were given the task of guiding the hunters to the prey, and they did so using every part of their stylized body, with a certain inclination forward, their long legs and snout forming the perfect arrow.
The English Pointer is a beautiful example of a competition dog , in fact, the
Westminster Kennel Club has had the image of a pointer as its logo since its inception. Currently, the Pointer is not only used as a hunting dog or competition dog, many families prefer them as companions in their daily lives. His personality is calm, even when his energy levels are high, he is content with daily exercise, a long walk and some games.
How can we recognize the Pointer?
The Pointer has
one of the most stylized figures in the entire canine world , it attracts attention wherever it goes, thanks to its long legs, its slender silhouette and its head, which always points as if it wanted to point to a specific place. Seeing it is a sight to behold, as not all dogs present a profile as elegant as a Pointer specimen. When a pointer finds prey, it maintains this firm position, its entire body acting as a messenger pointing towards the place. Its leg is raised, revealing the place it wants to show the hunter, making the hunt much more effective than if the hunter did it without the animal's company.
Physically the Pointer is covered with a short, soft coat of hair, ivory white on the bottom with spots that can be black, brown or reddish chestnut, sometimes with freckles on the lighter coat. A male of this breed can measure 70 centimeters in height and weigh up to 35 kilograms, while the female can measure 60 centimeters in height and weigh up to 30 kilograms. The English Pointer will always present an alert image, helped by its stylized, muscular and athletic body.
His expression shows nobility , intelligence and agility. Its nose is usually black and will always stand out above its entire body using a beautiful, long neck. Their ears are long, broad and hang on each side of their face like wings, these usually have a triangular shape and are darker than the rest of the body.
Aspects of his behavior
These dogs are true athletes , they are capable of staying in the field all day, being the indispensable piece on long days of hunting. Although not their entire world revolves around hunting,
they are also very good family dogs and will be happy as long as they can have space to exercise, whether running or playing. For this, it is important that their owner has the time and willingness to meet these needs. .
They are not the best as
guard dogs . Pointers
have a friendly and peaceful personality , so they can become affectionate with strangers. While they are quite open with strangers, they are equally jealous of their territory and will alert their owner immediately if they notice anything out of the ordinary. They do best in open spaces: a large, fenced yard is the best option for keeping a Pointer. Due to their strong hunting instinct, when they see something moving, whether it is a squirrel or a bird, they will chase it until they reach it. In this sense, it is important that their play area is fenced to prevent them from escaping in pursuit or getting hurt. It is essential
to train them from puppies , their high energy level can become a problem if you do not know how to control it at the moment. They have plenty of energy and are jumping around, greeting each new person who arrives. In those moments, knowing how to keep the dog still will make a huge difference.
Pointers need a large amount of exercise daily, not only physically, but also mentally. At least two hours of exercise will keep them healthy and “calm” as far as possible, it is vital that they have something to do when they are at home, or their hyperactivity could act in unproductive ways. On the other hand, if he receives good training, he will be
a happy and obedient companion , and will rest calmly at your side, enjoying a good hour of leisure watching a movie and shaking his strong tail.
Health and nutrition
Pointers are not a breed that stands out for its health problems. In fact
they are very healthy , although this does not mean that they do not suffer from any ailment. Like any animal, they are also prone to suffering from certain conditions. It is a sporting dog, very active, and its life expectancy ranges from 12 to 17 years. As for the medical conditions to which they are most prone, we can find: hip dysplasia, epilepsy, allergies and cherry eye, a condition in which the eyelid moves downward and a red mass begins to protrude from the animal's eyelid. , is a defect that can be corrected. One point to keep in mind when
choosing our dog's diet is that each of them has their own characteristics and needs. The amount of food they need will be strictly connected to their size, weight, their physical activity and their metabolism.
The main thing is that the food we give our pets is of the highest quality and that it is accompanied by all the nutrients that the dog needs to grow and stay strong and healthy. Two meals a day, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon, is what dogs the size of the pointer generally eat, however, their size must be taken into consideration, they may need a third daily meal spread throughout. throughout the day. In large dogs, obesity generally represents a latent risk. The most effective way to avoid this is by giving our pets the appropriate amount of food and exercise, and in the case of the English Pointer, this is one of the activities they need the most to maintain their vitality and happiness.
Pointer puppies
Unlike an adult dog,
puppies do not need as much physical activity . And although training is an essential part of their development, while they are little it is good to let them act spontaneously. Like adults, they have a lot of energy, but in a small body so they can get hurt by jumping or running too much. This aspect of their behavior must be taken care of to avoid possible problems with their bones and joints. If we talk about their diet,
puppies eat more times than an adult dog . They should eat three or four times a day. Their food must be of high quality, and when growing, commercial brands usually enrich puppy food with vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins, in order to help their growth.
They should always receive the amount of food necessary to
grow healthily , taking care not to "overfeed" them and avoid health problems such as obesity. As time goes by and the puppy grows, the food portions should be reduced. When he reaches six months of age, his food portions change. The change should be periodic. Finally, the growing puppy will begin to eat two portions a day. like its adult counterpart. It is essential to offer the puppy or puppies a comfortable environment to grow, training begins from the crib where they are taught to do their business. For Pointer puppies, it is essential to have a large and open play area, such as a large yard, in order to fully develop their physical skills and train their mental agility.
Aspects to take into account when adopting a Pointer
- Apartment life is not ideal for an English Pointer.
- They are an extremely active breed . They need a lot of exercise daily to stay calm and happy . When adopting a pointer, it should be kept in mind that the dog will require a lot of our time and effort.
- When they do not drain their energy through physical activity, they may develop unfavorable behaviors such as digging, biting, and destroying.
- From a very young age, they must be trained. This in order to control their temperament, hyperactivity and the habits that they may develop over time.
Over the centuries, the English Pointer has proven to be an agile, loyal, kind and intelligent companion. Whether it's acting as a hunter's guide, showing at a dog show, or providing company at home. In every facet expressed by the Pointer, he comes across as a true winner.
You can always count on the English Pointer for endless activities,
these dogs love doing any number of activities with their owner and family . It is the best friend when going out for some exercise, whether it is a walk or outdoor games. It's also perfect at home, when you just turn off the lights and spend the day watching TV or reading a book. At the same time
, he is the ideal friend for children , his calm attitude and patience provide the smallest members of the family with a worthy companion for a day of games, and at the end of the afternoon both can rest and regain energy to return to Continue enjoying. In short,
the Pointer could easily become an indispensable friend in the life of each one of us , the taciturn ones who love to watch a marathon on TV, or those impatient ones who cannot sit still for a moment, those who practice sports. or those who are simply looking for a pet with which to spend long moments of fun.
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