Welcome back to our Vulnerable Breeds Series! This month’s blog is on The Pointer. For those who are new to the series, this is all about raising awareness for vulnerable breeds here in the UK, starting with the native breeds. Following The Kennel Club’s Vulnerable Native Breed List, we are speaking to breed-specific clubs from across the UK to find out about the breed and what the club does to promote it. A huge thank you to The Pointer Club and their Honorary Field Trial Secretary, Carole Brown for giving us the context for this blog.

pointer pointing

About The Pointer

The supreme scenting machine, the Pointer is a wonderful example of a breed fit for its original function. The Pointer gallops on large expanses of land to detect the scent of the game and then freezes in a “point” in the direction of the sitting game.
The Pointer is an athlete, considered the thoroughbred of the gundogs. His hunting style is with head held high, galloping with style and pace, lashing his bee-sting tail. It is no wonder that the Pointer was much in demand by the gentry of the 18th and 19th centuries with large kennels of 200-300 dogs, as they were considered the most stylish of gundogs.

 

The Pointer is an active, intelligent dog who needs daily exercise and stimulation. They were bred to be hunting dogs who could work all day long so they must have at least an hour of exercise a day. When they are given the exercise and training they need, they are quiet and mannerly house dogs.

pointer dog

Kennel Club Breed Standard (Snippets)

General Appearance- Symmetrical and well built all over, general outline a series of graceful curves. A strong but lissom appearance.

Characteristics- Aristocratic. Alert with the appearance of strength, endurance and speed.

Temperament- Kind, even disposition.

Body- Well sprung ribs carried well back gradually falling away at strong muscular and slightly arched loins. Short coupled. Haunch bones are well spaced and prominent, not above the level of the back.

Colour- Usual colours are lemon and white, orange and white, liver and white, and black and white. Self-colours and tricolours are also correct.

 The club’s goal is to maintain and promote the breed as a ‘fit for function’, that is also suitable as a family member. The Pointer Club provides breed-specific input into the KC on our Breed Standard. The club is responsible to the KC as custodians of the Pointer breed standard and work with and advises the KC on all matters regarding breed health guidelines and manages a number of KC-related activities such as maintaining breeder code of conduct policies, running judge education seminars and managing judge accreditations.

The Pointer Club organises a number of events each year ranging from Shows (Championship & Open) and Field Trials. We also provide help and advice to members on training, owning, showing and working Pointers.

The Pointer Club has the declared objective of promoting the interests of the breed, uniting those interested in the breed and upholding the Standard of the Pointer

Working Pointers

The Club runs seven Field Trials each year in accordance with Kennel Club Rules & Regulations.

The aim of each trial is to run it as close as possible to a day’s shooting. The dogs are required to systemically quarter the ground with pace and style, showing natural hunting ability. They should point gamebirds and when asked, work out the point freely and drop to flush and shot.

In addition to the field trials, the club also holds up to three training days for Pointers and Setters per year. The aim of these days is to help educate & encourage newcomers to our sport. They are designed to help owners and their dogs to gain an insight into the background and basic training of a working Pointer or Setter and also understand more about the quarry and management of the ground that we work on. From attending these days, some participants are able to progress to a standard capable of competing in field trials.

To learn more about The Pointer Club, click the button below:

 

To view our last Vulnerable Breed blog on the Irish Water Spaniel, click the button below:

Irish Water Spaniel Blog


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