English Pointer
Pointer as the English Pointer is usually called is a gun-dog from the land of the British. The name hints at their purpose which is to point at the game for hunters, unlike retrievers who point and even retrieve the game after the hunt. They are an obedient and even-tempered breed.
Breed Profile
Height
25 - 28
Inches
Weight
60 - 80
Pounds
Life Span
13 – 15
Years
Health
health
Patellar Luxation
What is it?
Patellar luxation is a condition where the Patella or the kneecap slips out of the groove in which it normally rides up and down. The movement of the slipped kneecap can be towards the other leg or even away from it.
Clinical signs
Limping while walking
Lethargy
Reluctance to bend the knee
Avoiding running or jumping
Refusing to exercise
Swelling
Treatment
Some treatments for patellar luxation can include:
Rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and similar supportive therapies may be used.
Grade III and IV luxations should receive surgical correction. Joint arthritis can be prevented by surgery sooner rather than later.
Joint supplements to help strengthen the bones.
Pain medication may be suggested for the discomfort.
Physical therapy could be given to dogs, to help strengthen their muscles
A realignment surgery can be performed on the dog in severe cases where there is a lot of pain and movement of the dog is difficult.
Eligible vet bill
$5,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Legg-Perthes disease
What is it?
This is a rare but very serious condition. It happens when the ball at the top of the femur loses its blood supply and breaks down inside the hip joint causing immense pain and discomfort to the dog.
Clinical signs
Limping which can gradually reach the point where the dog can place no weight on the affected leg
Lameness
Pain when the affected leg is handled or lifted
Loss of muscles in the affected leg
Treatment
In the case of mild cases, physical therapy is usually recommended. Painkillers could be administered by the vet to help comfort the dog for the pain. If the condition worsens then the vet would most likely recommend surgery. FHO or the femoral head and neck osteotomy is the most common surgery done for this condition. An alternative to that could be total hip replacement surgery.
Eligible vet bill
$3,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Obedient
Bred to help the hunters, Pointers are very obedient and not very stubborn
Athletic
Pointers are one of the fastest dogs breeds out there and their speed comes with power
Independent
They are the aloof kind that does not seek human companionship or affirmation from their owners a lot
Lifetime Care
Coat
The coat is short-haired, fine, hard, smooth, and evenly distributed
Colors
The coat will usually be bi-colored in shades of white with lemon, orange, liver, or black. Tri-colored dogs are also accepted but are rare. (The black and white one might remind you of an Oreo).
Hypoallergenic
No
Grooming
The requirements are minimum here with once-a-week brushing and ear cleaning and dental cleaning to be done regularly. Bathing should be done only when required. Excessive bathing could cause dry-flaky skin.
Training
Their obedient, even-tempered nature helps in training these dogs and can make the task easy. Being gun dogs, they are meant for undergoing training. They are versatile as well which means they can be trained on-field and off-field for works like therapy and rescue operations.
Pointer is a collective term used for dog breeds that were developed to help hunters point at the game. English Pointers are known to have descended from the Old Spanish Pointer which was brought to the UK and cross-bred to add to the breed’s hunting capabilities.
Like some other breeds, spark differences can be found in different versions of this breed which were bred for different purposes. The show-quality dogs will usually have narrower chests, exaggerated facial features, straighter shoulders, less natural movement, and less muscle. All this can make them look like Victoria’s Secret models of the dog world.
The Pointer’s coat will shed less because of their short size. This also means that it could face difficulty in harsh climates, especially in cold regions. They are said to have qualities of bloodhounds, foxhounds, and greyhounds. No doubt they have superb agility, speed, endurance, and exceptional scenting skill.
English Pointer: Introduction to the Breed
English Pointer Physical Characteristics:
Elevated nose
Slight concave face
Long and muscular neck
Laid-back shoulders
Straight and firm forelegs
Oval-shaped feet
Thick, medium-length tail
English Pointer is best suited for pet owners:
Who live in the countryside and have a big space for the dog to roam around
Who can’t spend a lot of time with the dog but want them by their side
Who can meet the required exercise needs of the dog
Who want a companion for running or cycling
Who probably have been a dog parent before and can be authoritative in front of the dog
Who prefer dogs that don’t shed as much
Who do not have very young kids, especially infants in the house
Things to know before deciding to own an English Pointer
Training is necessary for these pets. Exercise is very important for them as a lack of physical stimulation can get them very bored and may lead to weird or even destructive behaviors
Apartment living is not well suited for these dogs as they will not have a big space to move around, and could lead to destruction of your furniture or home.
Birds are not to be kept close to them as their pointing spirit may come live and it may end up hurting the bird if it ends up retrieving them
These dogs are fast, like really fast. So, make sure you keep an eye on them and handle the leash properly when you take them to the park. They may end up chasing a small animal.
If you want your dog to be a guard dog, then getting a Pointer may not be the best option, but they will alert you if any stranger comes across them.
Negative reinforcements typically don’t work on them while training, i.e., punishing them or shouting at them. It will only make them more stubborn.
Conclusion
The king of the athletic world and one of the best pointers, the English Pointer is a super active and agile dog breed that is also a good family companion. With a mind of their own, they have their personality and will need a valid reason in their minds before accepting any command. However, if you are looking for a big, sturdy, obedient, loving, and athletic dog then the Pointer is for you. They may be aloof at times but will love spending time with you and the fam!
Happy Health and Mood to your Doggo and Lots of Love and Licks to you!