Pointers?

[tessa_s212]

My search for a Vizsla is becoming longer, more tiring, and even more discouraging every day. I still hope to own one more than ever, but am preparing myself incase I cannot find one.

Does anybody know anything/has any experience with Pointers? I've been doing a bit of research here and there, but would like some opinions.

How active are they?
I know they are not as crazy as the vizsla, but still do need quite a bit of excersize. Their personalities are more laid back, and may be a better fit into our home with seven, older, not very active cockers.

We only have a four foot fence. Would a Pointer jump this fence to chase after the birds, rabbits, and stray cats?

Any opinions or information is greatly appreciated.

[annie_so_pink]

Pointer
AKC Ranking: 104
Family: gundog, pointer
Area of Origin: England
Date of Origin: 1600s
Original Function: Pointing
Today's Function: pointing, pointing field trials, companion
Avg Size of male: Height: 25-28 Weight: 55-75
Avg Size of Female: Height: 23-26 Weight: 45-65
Other Name: English pointer

History
The earliest pointers were used in the 17th century not to point birds, but to point hare, which coursing greyhounds were then unleashed to pursue. When wing-shooting became popular in the 18th century, the pointer found its place as an adept bird locator. The ideal dog would find game, indicate its location and remain still until the hunter could get ready to shoot — a task that was somewhat slow with the old flintlock guns. The early pointer probably included in its genetic makeup some of the most talented breeds in existence: greyhounds, foxhounds and bloodhounds, as well as an old type of setting spaniel. Different countries developed different pointer breeds. The large, ponderous Spanish pointer was crossed with the English pointer to increase pointing ability, but at the expense of agility. With the advent of self-loading guns in the 19th century, the slower working traits of the Spanish pointer became undesirable, so the crosses were discontinued. In the 19th century, crosses with setters were made, perhaps to improve disposition and make the dogs more amenable to training and less prone to try to catch the game. Pointers became popular for recreational hunting on large estates. Ideally, two pointers were used so that the hunter could locate the bird precisely by cross-referencing the dogs' points. When dog shows came in vogue in the late 19th century, pointers were among the most prominent of the breeds shown. Pointers remain very popular as competitive field trial dogs and recreational hunters; however, they are not as popular as pets as many other sporting breeds.

Temperament
The pointer is a true wide-ranging hunter, which means that it not only is an excellent bird dog but also has the stamina to run for hours. Consequently, it needs lots of exercise or it can become frustrated and destructive. Because it is ever on the lookout for birds, it is easily distracted from everyday matters — but it is nearly impossible to distract once on point. It is gentle and sweet but may be too energetic and boisterous at times for very small children. Like many sporting breeds, it can be found in field or show types; the field type is generally smaller and perhaps more active.

Upkeep
The pointer needs exercise, and lots of it. It needs at least an hour of exertion every day. It is best when it has a regular opportunity to hunt, but it also enjoys running and searching the wilds on long jaunts afield. At home it needs space to exercise outdoors and should not be expected to sit inside all day. The pointer can live outdoors in temperate to warm climates, as long as it is given a soft bed and warm shelter. It needs canine or human companionship, however, and does far better when allowed to spend time with its family. It requires only an occasional brushing to remove dead hair.

Health
• Major concerns: entropion
• Minor concerns: CHD
• Occasionally seen: cataract, deafness
• Suggested tests: (hip), eye
• Life span: 12 – 15 years
• Note: prone to tail-tip injuries

Form and Function
The pointer combines athletic grace and power with a lean, muscular body, noble head, alert expression and noble carriage. The gait is smooth and powerful, with head held high and nostrils wide, enabling it to cover a lot of ground while searching for airborne scent. The tail lashes from side to side when the dog gaits. The pointer's close coat is short and dense, giving a clean streamlined appearance. field type pointers tend to hold their tails upright when on point.

[Shalva]

any larger sporting dog will easilly jump over a four foot fence and depending on where you are you also have to consider that snow will shorten your fence. I have to say that without a taller fence, I would consider a smaller breed. i would be very concerned about a four foot fence.....

My golden retrievers do not challenge my fence and i would think that a four foot fence might hold a show lab..... definitely would not hold a field bred lab but might hold a show bred lab.

if you are set on a sporting dog i would seriously think about a smaller breed. shoot I doubt a four foot fence would hold a viszla....

what happened with the breeder you had found....

S

[tessa_s212]

The co-ownership that I could have gotten with the other breeder fell didn't work out. I won't be getting the dog I thought I was going to be getting.

[Barrett]

My family has owned German shorthairs for over 40 years. They are wonderful dogs and very active. As puppies, almost all of our dogs were little balls of energy. They needed to be exercised several times a day and worked in the field a few times a week or they would become little tornadoes. They began to calm down after two years of age. This can be said about most breeds though. I remember a few of our younger dogs being so hyper that they had to be crated when younger childeren came to visit for fear of knocking them down or scratching them. They just got too excited and would forget themselves. At night our dogs wanted nothing more than to sleep with their head on your feet. They would pile up on one pillow and snore the night away, recharging their batteries for the morning.

[tessa_s212]

I had emailed a breeder with some questions and information about myself. She is willing to try to help me find a dog. I had even more questions to ask, but the more I learn about them, the more promising they look.

[Novel]

I like Pointers, but those tails!! LOL!
You are going to find that most of the sporting breeds have somewhat similar characteristics. Pointers, IMO, are more aloof than some of the other hunters. They are less of a companion and more of a hunting machine.
I know that you've learned so much here Tessa that you will do your homework and find exactly the right dog and breeder for you!

[golden_k9s]

hey tessa! it's amanda... xanga username: fiddlesticksxx you're going to have to teach me how to use this thing, haha! ..or maybe i'll just stick to keeping it simple, and not go "all out".

pointers-- i agree with the previous post by novel...

"They are less of a companion and more of a hunting machine."

in addition to our golden retrievers, my family also had an english setter and a llewellin setter. they are hunting dogs.. and amazing at it! ever since they were puppies they knew how to do their job... instinctively, little to no training. they are also companions, but not near as much as the goldens. i would have to say that the llewellin is much more "lovable" than the english. ..and from the pointers i have been around, they act more like the english setters... they often care more about the birds than people. but the pointers i have been around are bred to hunt, not to show. i do not know what the "show-bred" pointer's personality is like, if it is different.

i believe a while back you were saying you only have a 4ft fence. the pointers i have come to know, if they see something they're interested in "fetching" ex. quail, pheasant... they'd probably jump it. again i say... these are just the pointers that "live to hunt".

hope i helped?? thanks for telling me about this site.. i like it!

good luck on researching!

[tessa_s212]

Originally Posted by golden_k9s

but the pointers i have been around are bred to hunt, not to show. i do not know what the "show-bred" pointer's personality is like, if it is different.

Yes, there is a temperment difference. I have spoken to other pointer owners, and we have discussed the differences. The show bred pointers tend to be more quiet and laid back. They love human attention, but do still have drive and can still make wonderful agility and obedience dogs. Though, as with any other breed you will find many different personalities and temperments. Some certainly will be a bit more crazy and birdy, while others will be happy to just lie on your couch and beg for a belly rub.

i believe a while back you were saying you only have a 4ft fence. the pointers i have come to know, if they see something they're interested in "fetching" ex. quail, pheasant... they'd probably jump it. again i say... these are just the pointers that "live to hunt".

This dog would not be outside alone. Our back door is kept shut and we let them outdoors when we want them to be outdoors. I have a gigantic backyard, and plan to do alot of agility training with this dog. (Hehe.. agility addict over here!)

[Shalva]

i am unaware that this breed has broken into show and field lines.... as far as i know they have not. I know several pointer breeders.... and my understanding is that this breed is alot like my flat coats in temperment.... and they have not broken into field and show lines.
S

[Novel]

I agree with Shalva, Pointers are pointers. Like Weims there may be some lines that do better in one sport, but for the most part they are still truly versatile dogs. Now Setters are a completely different story.

[tessa_s212]

Perhaps it goes by location. I know that there are many many breeders that are trying to keep this breed whole and do breed for both natural instinct and conformation, but the dogs that are ONLY bred for field definitely are not as laid back as the dogs that are bred for both(not saying conformation dogs are couch potatoes, just stating that they are not quite as crazy and active).

I have emailed a breeder in GA. This breeder has alot of experience with Jrs, and has said that she'd love to try and work something out with me.

[golden_k9s]

i'm happy to hear that you received good news from the GA breeder!!

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..shalva:i went to your site-- your retrievers are beautiful!! i appreciate you wanting to improve the breed by getting multiple clearances before you breed. when the time is right for my family to purchase another golden retriever, i'll definitely keep you in mind!! if/when you have time, i would really appreciate if you could e-mail me additional information about your dogs and puppies... do they come with full registration? price of pups? email address: curls51690@sbcglobal.net

thanks!

[tessa_s212]

Wow! There is a small possibility I *might* be getting this dog!

http://www.solivia.com/pages/11/index.htm

What an awesome dog!