Pointer Gifts
Our range of Pointer gifts include the Pointer tapestry cushion, Pointer wall hanging, the Pointer throw and Pointer shoulder bag. Our range of gifts is ideal for any pointer owner.
To view our full range of Pointer Gifts please click on the following link:
Pointer Products currently Available
General Information On Pointers
Pointing dogs popped up all over Europe around 1650, but the English version has remained the modern prototype. What exactly was used in its creation is not known, but development occurred within the British Isles; there was ample trade to Britain in dogs from all over the world. The strongest influence may have been the Portuguese Pointer, with his ancient lineage and his dished face.
The earliest Pointers were actually present before the age of wing shooting, assisting in the "hare-coursing" rage. The Pointer was sent out to find and "point out" the presence of a hare. Then Greyhounds were brought up and slipped as the hare bolted. When wing shooting came into vogue after 1700, the Pointer began to prove his real worth. The earliest Pointers really "set," dropping to the ground on the flush of game, a quality that has been bred out long since. Yet the ardent desire to hunt, speed of search, intense style, and exceptional nose have been retained to the present day. The Pointer has, over the years, been used in crosses in countries all over Europe to add elegance and dash to the native gun dogs.
The Pointer has remained in high esteem throughout the world. The great majority in the USA are registered with the Field Dog Stud Book, and have been bred for great speed and ground coverage, as well as tremendous courage and stamina for the required three-hour heats. This type now dominates the great Open All Age American Field Trial Circuit. Hunting of this sort, in front of mounted handlers covering vast acreages, is not available to most hunters. Therefore, the American Field type of Pointer may be "too much dog" for the average hunter who wants a pleasant day of sport and a full game bag. The AKC-registered Pointer, on the other hand, tends to be a closer working dog, competing in the AKC field trials, which are more the venue of the true gun dog.
The Pointer´s distinctive "dished" face that hints of a mastiff background, the undocked tail of moderate length and taper, and his big, graceful elegance make him stand out among hunting dogs. He is especially known for his endurance in hot weather, but his longtime susceptibility to the cold and his reluctance in water remain a part of him. The breed is not always as enthusiastic and adept at retrieving as some of his Continental cousins. The passion to hunt is intense.
The classic good looks of the Pointer, with his proud bearing, demand attention at shows. Show Pointers do not often compete in field trials, making the first dual championship attained in the mid-1980s a piece of history. With adequate exercise, the Pointer makes an affectionate, clean and quiet companion dog.
|
