Pointer

Guides for your Pointer

The story behind the Pointer

Pointing dogs were used across Europe before firearms became practical for wing shooting, and the English version took shape from the early eighteenth century as sportsmen sought a dog that could locate game birds and hold steady while guns approached. Foundation stock is generally understood to include Spanish and other continental pointers, with later crosses to foxhounds, greyhounds and setters intended to add speed, stamina and style. By the nineteenth century a recognisable English type was established, refined through field trials that rewarded range, pace and staunchness on point. The breed became a fixture of British shooting and was exported widely, becoming influential in American field trial circles. It remains an active gundog and trial competitor on both sides of the Atlantic, with show and field lines that differ somewhat, and its companion population is modest relative to its sporting one.

Originally bred for: Bird dog, upland pointing gundog, field trial competitor. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.

Feeding a Pointer

A performance-oriented complete diet supports a large, hard-running dog that struggles to eat enough during heavy work; energy-dense food and increased portions in shooting season help. Feed in two or more calm sittings and allow rest afterwards given the deep chest.

Watch for: No specific food intolerance is characteristic. Very active individuals sometimes tolerate high-fat foods poorly when work is irregular, so keep changes gradual. Any repeated vomiting, bloating or loose stool should be checked by a vet before diet experiments continue.

Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.

Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.

Living with a Pointer

Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.

For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.

Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.

Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.