At a height of between 22 and 24 inches the Pointer is classified as a medium sized dog. The females of the breed can weigh between 44 and 60 pounds while the males clock in at between 55 and 66 pounds. Graceful, athletic and muscular these dogs are excellent when it comes to interacting with other dogs and also with humans. For best results in this regard it has been determined that getting the Pointer puppy used to other dogs and people will make them friendlier as adult dogs so socializing is important while they are still young. Most people are familiar with this breed having seen photographs or pictures depicting them in the classic Pointer profile pose, with the head and the tail held straight. This breed is known for its muscular neck and legs and its deep chest and even when they are running they still manage to look graceful and elegant.
There are sub breeds under the heading of Pointer and the American Kennel Club chose to include them all under that heading back in the 1970s. As you can probably guess the breed derives its name from the classic Pointer pose that is employed whenever the dog has seen the object of its attention. It is as though the dog is pointing at the target with its nose.
These dogs were originally bred to accompany hunters as they went out on hunting expeditions and the first mention of the breed goes all the way back to the mid-1600s when the first mention of them was recorded in England. They became popular hunting dogs due to their excellent and uncanny ability to be able to detect the scent of the prey animal and then indicate the direction the animal was heading. Thanks to their muscular legs they are capable of great speed when they are running and they are able to cover a large distance in a short time frame. Unlike their cousins the retrievers they do not retrieve the prey and return to the group.
Pointers have very pleasing dispositions and are friendly and well-tempered. Not good with being relegated to the back yard this breed enjoys human companionship and will be happiest if they are permitted to remain indoors with the rest of the family. Although most other hunting dog breeds require a lot of exercise this is not true of the Pointer. This breed will fare well with an average amount of exercise and will not display a stubborn will to hunt animals smaller than itself as other dog breeds might be inclined to do.
Pointers are energetic and eager and they are able to adapt well to their surroundings. They are also known to be rather headstrong at times and so a certain degree of firmness is required from you as the owner.
