Pointer dogs are a group of hunting dogs that are known for their ability to sniff out and point to small game, such as birds, so that hunters can find them. They are intelligent, medium-sized dogs that often make good pets.
Pointing breeds tend to be active, enthusiastic, intelligent, and eager to please. They often excel in tracking and nose work sports, and they’re skilled retrievers with a great love of water. There are many different breeds of pointer dogs, some of which are mixed breeds.
You are reading: 10 Types Of Pointer Dogs
In this article, we will explore 10 types of pointer dogs, their characteristics, and their origins.
10 Types Of Pointer Dogs
English Pointer
The English Pointer is a medium-sized breed of pointing dog that was developed in England. Pointers are used to find game for hunters, and they are considered by gundog enthusiasts to be one of the finest breeds of its type.
Unlike most other hunting breeds, the Pointer’s purpose is to point, not retrieve game. The breed’s name is its job description: Pointers point game birds, and they have been pointing for centuries.
The Pointer is an independent, stubborn, and strong-willed dog that is considered best suited for the country because of its need for exercise and boundless energy.
The Pointer’s amiable, even temperament, and alert good sense make him a congenial and trainable companion both in the field and in the home.
The English Pointer is instantly recognizable, and his entire body suggests his purpose: to point game for the hunter. When a Pointer scents game birds, he stands tall and still, one foot raised off the ground, pointing the hunter in the right direction.
German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a breed of medium-sized pointing dog that was developed in Germany in the 19th century. They are energetic and powerful dogs with strong legs and great endurance.
The breed is versatile and can hunt many types of game, retrieve on land or from water, and is an affectionate companion. German Shorthaired Pointers are proficient with many different types of game and sport, including trailing, retrieving, and pointing pheasant, quail, grouse, waterfowl, raccoons, possum, and even deer.
They are considered one of the world’s most accomplished hunting and sporting breeds and are often referred to as the “perfect pointer”.
The German Shorthaired Pointer’s coat is short and flat with a dense undercoat protected by stiff guard hairs, making the coat water-resistant and allowing the dog to stay warm in cold weather. This allows the dog to be an agile hunter, with high performance in both field and water.
German Shorthaired Pointers are gentle and playful with children, although they may be too boisterous for small children. They are demanding of attention and make an energetic and protective family member.
Weimaraner
The Weimaraner is a large dog breed that was originally bred as a hunting dog in the early 19th century. Early Weimaraners were used by royalty for hunting large game such as boar, bear, and deer.
The breed is versatile and can hunt many types of game, retrieve on land or from water, and is an affectionate companion. The Weimaraner is an all-purpose gun dog that possesses traits such as speed, stamina, great sense of smell, great eyes, courage, and intelligence.
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The breed’s name comes from the Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, Karl August, whose court, located in the city of Weimar (now in the state of Thuringia in modern-day Germany), enjoyed hunting.
The Weimaraner’s earliest job was to serve as an all-around hunting dog who handled big game such as deer, bear, and wolves. As Germany’s forests shrank and big game became scarce, the Weimaraner’s handlers turned the breed’s talents to hunt birds, rabbits, and foxes.
The Weimaraner is a moderately large, athletic, working dog with a medium-sized head, moderate stop, and a medial line going down the forehead. Weimaraners are intelligent, affectionate, and active dogs who love people and children. They are super loving and very friendly.
Small Munsterlander
The Small Munsterlander, also known as the Münsterländer or SM, is a versatile hunting-pointing-retrieving dog breed that originated in the area around Münster, Germany. The breed is related to the Epagneul Français and the Drentsche Patrijshond.
Here are some characteristics of the Small Munsterlander:
Appearance:
– Medium-sized dog breed
– Resembles both spaniels and setters
– Agile and athletic
– Coat is dense and wavy, with feathering on the ears, legs, and tail
– Coat colors include brown, white, and black
Temperament:
– Self-confident and adaptable
– Highly affectionate and makes a great family companion
– Highly trainable with gentle handling and positive reinforcement
– Best suited to a hunting home
– Mild-mannered and good-natured
– Can be good with kids who are big enough to stand up to his energy level
Hunting abilities:
– Versatile hunting dog and natural retriever
– Medium range, solid pointing instinct, and strong desire for the water
– Excellent tracking abilities for all types of work after the shot
– Agile and athletic, can sprint up to 25 mph
– Hunting style is not far-ranging, usually hunting close in heavier cover and ranging 100-150 yards in light cover, all in an effort to maintain the hunting.
The Small Munsterlander is recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale under Group 7, Section 1.2, Continental Pointing Dogs of Spaniel type, by the American Kennel Club as a Foundation Stock Service breed, and by The Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club as a gun dog.
Large French Pointer
The Large French Pointer, also known as the Braque Francais, is a breed of medium to large-sized pointing dogs that originated in France. There are two types of Braque Francais: the Gascogne type (larger size) and the Pyrenean type (smaller size).
Here are some characteristics of the Braque Francais:
Appearance:
– Medium to large-sized breed
– Long legs and long drop ears
– Short coat that is chestnut brown or white speckled with brown
– Elegant head, relatively short muzzle, and soulful eyes that can be any shade from yellow to brown
– Glossy coat that is often speckled
Temperament:
– Gentle, calm, and sociable
– Sensitive yet well-balanced
– Highly trainable and intelligent
– Good with humans and looks to them for guidance
– Thrives in a hunting home
Hunting abilities:
– Versatile hunting dog that can retrieve, flush, and even trail game in all sorts of terrain
– Quick dog that can move fast without sprinting (Pyrénées type)
– Slower moving dog (Gascogne type)
– Pointing dog that is noble, well-muscled, and robust in appearance
The Braque Francais is a well-proportioned, medium-sized dog with a soft, shorthaired coat. He was bred to hunt the very rugged and arid Pyrenees. The breed is highly regarded for its versatility and is used for tracking, flushing, and retrieving prey.
The Braque Francais is a sensitive yet sociable dog that gets along well with humans and looks to them for guidance. They thrive in a hunting home and are highly trainable with gentle handling and positive reinforcement.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a breed of dog that is used in hunting as a gundog. It is sometimes considered to be Dutch in ancestry, due to the nationality of the breed founder, Eduard Karel Korthals.
Here are some characteristics of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon:
Appearance:
– Medium-sized dog breed
– Harsh and bristly coat that gives the breed its name
– Coat is medium length, straight, wiry topcoat, and a fine, thick undercoat
– Coat colors include steel gray with brown markings or combinations of brown, white, roan, and orange
– Height: 22 to 24 inches (males); 20 to 22 inches (females)
– Weight: 50 to 70 pounds (males); 35 to 50 pounds (females)
Temperament:
– Gentle, loyal, alert, companionable, proud, friendly
– Outgoing, eager, and quick-witted
– Excellent choice for a family dog, as it is especially loving toward its owners and gets along well with children
– Thrives with company and can become very attached to their family members
– Good match for an energetic family looking for a dog to be part of their daily activities
Hunting abilities:
– Versatile hunting dog and natural retriever
– Medium range, solid pointing instinct, and strong desire for the water
– Agile and athletic, can sprint up to 25 mph
– Developed to be a hardy, close-working dog capable of working in the polders, the marshy areas of Holland
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is recognized by the American Kennel Club as a member of the Sporting Group. They are known for their intelligence, hard-working nature, and energetic personalities.
Bracco Italiano
The Bracco Italiano is a breed of pointing dog that originated in Italy. Here are some characteristics of the breed:
Appearance:
– Large breed with a hound-like appearance
– Long ears and droopy lips
– Short white fur with brown markings or speckles
– Height: 21 to 27 inches
– Weight: 55 to 90 pounds
Temperament:
– Smart, efficient, and pleasant
– Great with children and other dogs
– Affectionate and loves human companionship
– Can be stubborn at times
Hunting abilities:
– Versatile hunting dog that is used for pointing and retrieving
– Developed to be a hardy, close-working dog capable of working in the polders, the marshy areas of Holland
– Excellent tracking abilities for all types of work after the shot
The Bracco Italiano is considered the oldest European Pointer, with paintings that depict dogs resembling today’s Bracco Italiano dating back to the 4th and 5th centuries BC.
The breed was revived in the early 20th century by an Italian breeder named Ferdinando Delor de Ferrabouc, and today it is popular in Europe and the United States as a hunting and working companion.
The Bracco Italiano is known for its affectionate nature and love of human companionship. They are great with children and other dogs, and if socialized at a young age, they are easy to train.
Braque du Bourbonnais
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a breed of pointing dog that originated in France. Here are some key characteristics of the breed:
Appearance:
– Medium to large-sized breed
– Rustic appearance
– Short coat that is ticked with liver, fawn, black, or white
– Height: 21 to 27 inches
– Weight: 55 to 90 pounds
Temperament:
– Calm, affectionate, and intelligent
– Great with children and other dogs
– Can be stubborn at times
– High energy pup who used to be bred to hunt with their human counterparts
Hunting abilities:
– Versatile hunting dog that is used for pointing and retrieving
– Excellent tracking abilities for all types of work after the shot
– Developed to be a hardy, close-working dog capable of working in the polders, the marshy areas of Holland
The Braque du Bourbonnais is an ancient purebred pointing dog originally from the country of France. They are considered one of the most ancient pointers of the pointing breeds in Europe. The breed was known amongst French hunters as a tailless pointer with distinctive fawn and liver ticking.
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The Braque du Bourbonnais is a calm, affectionate, and intelligent dog that loves human companionship. They are great with children and other dogs, and if socialized at a young age, they are easy to train.
The breed is highly regarded for its versatility and is used for tracking, flushing, and retrieving prey. The Braque du Bourbonnais is a high energy pup who used to be bred to hunt with their human counterparts, thus daily exercise and affection is needed to keep them happy.
Český fousek (Bohemian rough beard)
The Český fousek, also known as the Bohemian rough beard, is a medium-sized breed of versatile hunting dog that originated in the Czech Republic. Here are some key characteristics of the breed:
Appearance:
– Medium-sized breed with a wiry, muscular body
– Coarse coat that is typically brown or white with brown markings
– Soft, bushy eyebrows, mustache, and beard are distinguishing facial features
– Velvety ears that hang loosely to the side of their face
– Deep-set, almond-shaped eyes that can be amber or brown in color
Temperament:
– Intelligent, loyal, and affectionate
– Great with children and other dogs
– Can be stubborn at times
– High energy pup who used to be bred to hunt with their human counterparts
Hunting abilities:
– Versatile hunting dog that is used for pointing and retrieving
– Excellent tracking abilities for all types of work after the shot
– Used as a pointing dog both in water and in forest and field
– One of the oldest existing rough-haired pointing breeds
The Český fousek is a much newer wirehaired versatile hunting dog in relation to many other European or Continental breeds, with written standards first established in the 1920s.
The breed is part of the griffon hunting dog family and has the beard and mustache (“facial furnishings”) common to wirehairs.
They are intelligent, loyal, and affectionate dogs that are great with children and other dogs. They are high energy pups who used to be bred to hunt with their human counterparts, thus daily exercise and affection is needed to keep them happy.
German Wirehaired Pointer
The German Wirehaired Pointer is a medium to large-sized breed of dog that was developed in Germany in the 19th century for versatile hunting.
Here are some key characteristics of the breed:
Appearance:
– Well-muscled, medium to large-sized dog of distinctive appearance
– Balanced in size and sturdily built
– Weather-resistant, wire-like coat and facial furnishings
– Typically pointer in character and style
– Tail is typically docked to two-fifths of the natural length
Temperament:
– Affectionate, lively, very determined, active, and intelligent
– Eager to learn and loyal to its family
– Needs a handler who is consistent in approach
– Friendly with those they know, but are sometimes aloof with strangers and should be socialized at an early age
– Often don’t do well in a kennel environment
Hunting abilities:
– Versatile hunting dog that is used for pointing and retrieving
– Excellent tracking abilities for all types of work after the shot
– Built for both land and water
– Wiry beards, grandpa-esque eyebrows, powerful instincts, and high energy
The German Wirehaired Pointer is an intelligent, energetic, and determined hunter that is affectionate, lively, and very determined.
They are eager to learn and loyal to their family, but need a handler who is consistent in approach. They are friendly with those they know, but are sometimes aloof with strangers and should be socialized at an early age. They often don’t do well in a kennel environment.
The breed is highly regarded for its versatility and is used for tracking, flushing, and retrieving prey. The German Wirehaired Pointer is a functional dog with a weather-resistant, wire-like coat that protects him from wet and cold conditions as well as rough or heavy underbrush.
The breed is a great addition to an active household that can provide plenty of exercise and attention.
FAQS
1. What is a pointer dog?
A pointer dog is a type of hunting dog that is trained to locate and point at game birds or other small game for hunters to find.
2. What are some common breeds of pointer dogs?
Some common breeds of pointer dogs include the English Pointer, German Shorthaired Pointer, Weimaraner, Small Munsterlander, Large French Pointer, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Bracco Italiano, Braque du Bourbonnais, and Český fousek.
3. Are pointer dogs good family pets?
Pointer dogs can make great family pets, but they require a lot of exercise and attention. They are typically active, energetic, and friendly dogs that make great companions for families that are active.
4. What are some common hunting abilities of pointer dogs?
Pointer dogs are versatile hunting dogs that are used for pointing and retrieving game. They have excellent tracking abilities and are often used to hunt quarry of all kinds, including rabbits, raccoons, game birds, and even deer.
5. What is the temperament of pointer dogs?
Pointer dogs are typically intelligent, loyal, and affectionate dogs that love human companionship. They can be great with children and other dogs, but they can also be stubborn at times and require consistent training.
6. Do pointer dogs require a lot of grooming?
Pointer dogs typically require minimal grooming, but some breeds may require more grooming than others. It’s important to research the specific grooming needs of your pointer breed to ensure that you are providing the proper care.
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