Whether you’re a runner or a hunter, the Pointer would like to join in on all the fun you’re having, please and thank you. If you’re looking for a companion to adventure with you like there’s no tomorrow, a Pointer is Here. For. It. They might even invite a stranger or two to join you (these social butterflies live by the adage of the more the merrier!). And if you enjoy a good debate, Pointers, also known as English Pointers, are ready to share their opinions—maybe not vocally, but they sometimes can’t help but follow their nose in the opposite direction of where you were headed. And hey, you never know what new, fun experience you’ll encounter! Either way, it’s an adventure you and your new Pointer BFF will have together.
Pointer Appearance
The Pointer dog breed is the embodiment of power and grace. Pointers carry themselves proudly with their nose in the air and alert, inquisitive eyes, always attentive to their surroundings (sometimes to a fault). A medium-sized dog with a short-haired coat of many color options, Pointers can be black, liver (brown), lemon or orange, and any of these colors can be combined with white.
Ears:
Pointer ears hang naturally close to the head and just below the jaw, with little to no folding. They should be set at eye level and somewhat pointed at the tip.
Eyes:
Their dark eyes are rounded and intense.
Nose:
If a Pointer dog is a darker color, the nose should be black or brown. If a lighter color, the nose should be lighter or flesh colored.
Coat Length:
A Pointer's coat is short, dense and smooth.
Coat Color:
Pointer coat colors can be liver (brown), lemon, black and orange, and any of these colors can be combined with white. A Pointer with a non-solid colored coat may have markings that look like points in black or liver or have a ticked coat, meaning small spots of color only on the white parts of the coat.
Tail:
Their tails are thicker towards the body and tapered towards the end. They are straight and do not hang below the hock (the joint where the shin bone connects to the paw).
Pointer Temperament
If you’re the type of traveler who loves an all-night party in Ibiza, chances are you and a Pointer will get along famously. While they might not share your concerns about the best party clothes to wear (just a simple collar will do for them, thanks), Pointer dogs do share your love for adventure and boundless energy. Intelligent and fun-loving, Pointers are confident, don’t take things personally (they’re OK that you think their dance moves might need some work), and enjoy the company of both people, including kids and babies and other dogs.Pointers are not usually fearful or anxious in nature, so aggression and dog bites are typically uncommon as they are very friendly dogs—especially with proper training and socialization. And if your kiddos are driving you bananas and making you fantasize about your party days, scoot them outside with your Pointer—kids and doggo can wear each other out playing chase in the backyard, giving you some mental space to dream about booking a trip overseas.Pointers can indeed live with cats, but they must be trained and socialized with cats or small critters starting at an early age to contend with their high prey drive. Pointers are hard workers who work through challenges and don’t give up on things easily, but sometimes what they work hard at is what they find to be most important in that moment, whether it’s chasing a squirrel, pulling you down the street or jumping to greet people at the door. Pointers were originally bred to point out prey (usually hares) for the hounds to chase down and retrieve. Even if they don’t find themselves with a hunting family, they need to work by using their nose, whether that’s through lots of exercise, nose work or other games.
