English Pointer

The English Pointer is a breed originating in Great Britain, where it was bred for bird hunting. The dogs are characterized by their white coat with black, orange or lemon spots, and their droopy ears. They are also noted for their intelligence, loyalty and energy.

General details

Dogs of the breed have a medium-sized body structure with a powerful and agile appearance. Males can weigh between 25 and 34 kilograms, while females can weigh between 20 and 29.5 kilograms. Height varies between 63.5 and 71 centimeters in males, and between 58 and 66 centimeters in females. They are long-lived dogs with a life expectancy of between 12 and 17 years. They belong to Group 7 of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), which includes Continental, British and Irish pointers and Setters.

Breed history in brief

The exact origin of the English Pointer is unknown, although it is believed to have originated in Spain in the 17th century. The breed was developed as a pointing dog for bird hunting. The English Pointer gained great popularity as an excellent hunting dog and spread to the United States in the 19th century, being recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1878. Today, the breed is still used for hunting, although it is also a popular companion animal due to its energetic, friendly and loyal nature.

Breed characteristics

The English Pointer has a harmonious and balanced body, with a short, muscular and slightly domed back. Its eyes can be hazel or brown, depending on the coat color, and have a kind expression. The ears are of medium length, slightly pointed at the tip and fall close to the head. The tail is tapering from the base to the tip and is carried in line with the back without curving upwards. The coat is short, harsh, fine and smooth. The usual coloration is white combined with lemon, orange, brown or black. In addition, according to the standard established for the breed, unicolor and tricolor coats are also accepted. The English Pointer is an intelligent, loyal and friendly breed. They are also described as independent and easily trainable. Because of their strong hunting instinct, they need regular exercise and mental stimulation to avoid destructive behavior. Breeders should offer them active homes with room to run and play, as they are energetic dogs. The English Pointer usually gets along well with children and other pets.

Common health problems

The English Pointer breed is characterized by good health. However, they are prone to develop certain disorders or pathologies such as cataracts, corneal dystrophy, deafness, demodicosis, entropion, hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, X-linked muscular dystrophy and chronic superficial keratitis. In addition to the above disorders, the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) recommends screening for autoimmune thyroiditis and elbow dysplasia.