Pointer

The Pointer is bred primarily for sport afield; he should unmistakably look and act the part. The ideal specimen gives the immediate impression of compact power and agile grace; the head noble, proudly carried; the expression intelligent and alert; the muscular body bespeaking both staying power and dash. Here is an animal whose every movement shows him to be a wide-awake, hard-driving hunting dog possessing stamina, courage, and the desire to go. And in his expression are the loyalty and devotion of a true friend of man.

The Pointer's history is an old one, traceable in writing and in works of art back to the middle of the 17th century. While the English Pointer was developed primarily in England, most canine historians credit Spain as the country of origin. The English Pointer resulted from crosses between these Spanish pointers and various breeds, most probably Foxhounds and Bloodhounds for scenting, Greyhounds for speed, and Bull Terriers for tenacity. Even before the advent of wing shooting with guns, the English Pointer was used to point game, which the hunters then netted or chased with coursing hounds. Pointer breed type, temperament, and hunting ability stabilized around the end of the 18th century and have changed very little since then. Today the English Pointer is widely regarded as one of the finest upland bird dogs in the world.

The English Pointer was recognized by United Kennel Club in the early 1900's.

The pointers even temperament and friendly nature makes him a dog controllable and easy to train. His natural intelligence helps him to easily understand new inputs and to deal with new situations.He keeps gained experiences in his mind and cultivates them. With his temperament, he always surprises us how quickly and with what willingness he deals with new and familiar situations. The Pointer's even temperament and alert good sense make him a congenial companion both in the field and in the home. He should be dignified and should never show timidity toward man or dog.
The pointer has a characteristically shaped head, and we often hear that the head makes the pointer. With his beautiful appearance and cultivated behaviour he is often admired.

This breed can be used anywhere. In the Czech republic he is still mainly used for hunting as he is a great companion to the gamekeeper and hunter. Their qualities for hunting pointers prove on working trails for hunting dogs. They regularly start at the highest types of trials for pointing dogs, championships and memorials, were they prove their excellent quality even against international competitors and against other breeds of pointers (continental pointers).

English pointers excel mainly at Field Trials. Here they can best present their inborn qualities and demonstrate in full beauty for what they were breaded for. The most admired qualities are mainly their typical pointing, fine nose, their scenting with the intelligence of a hunter in full performance.

When looking at the pointer in action one must admit that he truly is a thoroughbred between all pointers.

Even though the English pointer has all these excellent working qualities we have to say that he is a great companion and family friend. Everyone who has come in contact with the pointer was enchanted by his great personality.

There are also some nonhunting activities in which the English pointer can be used, for instance agility, canicross and other many other sports in which exercise and communication, between man and dog, play the main role.

We can also mention that the pointer is sometimes used as a leader sledge dog as he has naturally personality of a leader and he is also quite controllable. Otherwise he is also suitable for finding drugs and because of his great personality which loves humans he is a great dog for canistherapy.

In the family he acts friendly self-confidently. He goes through house-training easily and understands all the "house rules" quickly. He is tolerant and kind to children , when he gets into contact with them.

With kindness, patience and consistency one will raise him well.

The pointers coat is easy to take care of, you practically don ´t have to take care of it. We can sometimes use a brush and brush out the old fur.
The pointer should have a soft resting place, to prevent the making of bruises and pressure sores on the elbows and chest. In the house a blanket or a padded dog cushion will do alright. Outside in the kennel we can also use blankets or straw.

English pointers do not have troubles with often occurring genetical defects or with any other diseases. But for breeding all the studs and bitches must have an X-ray of the hips done for hip dysplasia. In practice the health state of a dog is proved and examined during their work and so we can say that when we choose a puppy we should also look at the health of the parents.

Breeding is controlled by the clubs through breeding consultants. The aim of breeding is always healthy dogs, typical at work, in exterior and in character.

Moravskoslezký klub chovatelů anglických ohařů (MSKAO)

Contact: the chairman of the club Mr. Vlastimil Resner

Veleckého 30

615 00Brno

05/48535848

Breeding requirements of MSKAO

-membership in MSKAO

-show prizes max. VD (second prize) and better (first prize)

-teeth: complete scissor bite

-the bitch or stud must be chosen from a committee of three members (breeders committee)

-the stud must have these working trials and prizes: autumn trials(PZ), I. Prize and Field trials or must succeed in general trials for all pointers.

-the bitch must have these working trials and prizes: autumn trials in II.prize at least.

-the bitch and stud must have these limit marks from the following disciplines:

scenting 3, pointing 4, inborn eagerness to work 4, progressing (moving forward after escaping game) 3, nose 4, discipline 3, stillness after gunshot 3 (the mark 4 is the highest mark on the mark scale 4,3,2,1,0)

-or the dog must pass Field trial with at least 6 points ( point range 1-20points for the whole demonstrated performance).

The Czech pointer and setter club (ČPSK)

Contact: chairman of the club Mr. Josef Němec

U Výtopny 5

410 02 Lovosice

0419/532829

Breeding requirements ČPSK

-membership in the ČPSK club

-X-ray of hips for hip dysplasia maximum 2/2

-show prizes must be max. VD (II prize) and better

-bitch and stud both ­ must have a work trial, either a ­ Field trial and must have at least 6 points or must have another work trial (JZ, PZ, VZ) with the same marking as in the MSKAO club.

FCI Standard

Number of standard:1

Pointer

ORIGIN : Great Britain.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 24. 06. 1987.

UTILIZATION : Pointing dog.

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 7 Pointing Dogs.

Section 2.1 British and Irish Pointers

and Setters, Pointer.

With working trial.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : Symmetrical and well built all over, general outline a series of graceful curves. A strong but lissom appearance.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Aristoractic. Alert with appearance of strength, endurance and speed. Kind, even disposition.

HEAD : is carried high, long and quite dry

CRANIAL REGION :

Skull : Of medium breadth, in proportion to length of foreface. Pronounced occipital bone.

Stop : Well defined.

FACIAL REGION :

Nose : Dark, but may be lighter in the cas of a lemon and white coloured dog. Nostrils wide, soft and moist.

Muzzle : Somewhat concave, ending on level with nostrils, giving a slightly dish-faced appearance. Slight depression under the eyes.

Lips : Well developed, soft.

Jaw/Teeth : Jaws strong, with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Cheeks : Cheek bones not prominent.

Eyes : Same distance from occiput as from nostrils, bright and kindly in expression. Either hazel or brown according to colour of coat. Neither bold nor staring, not looking down the nose. Eye rims dark, but may be lighter in the case of a lemon and white coloured dog.

Ears : Leathers thin, set on fairly high, lying close to head, of medium length, slightly pointed at tips.

NECK : Long, muscular, slightly arched, springing cleanly from shoulders and free from throatiness.

BODY :

Loin : Strong muscular and slightly arched. Short coupled.

Chest : Just wide enough for plenty of heart room. Brisket well let down, to level with elbows. Ribs well sprung and carried well back, gradually falling away at loin.

TAIL : Medium length, thick at root, tapering gradually to a point. Well covered with close hair, carried on a level with back, with no upward curl. In movement, tail shoud lash from side to side.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs straight and firm, with good oval bone, with back sinews strong and visible.

Shoulders : Long, sloping and well-laid back.

Pastern joint : Flat with front leg and protruding very little on inside.

Pastern : Lengthy, strong and resilient. Slightly sloping.

HINDQUARTERS :Very muscular.

Haunch : Haunch bones well spaced and prominent, not above level of back.

Upper thigh : Good expanse of first thigh.

Stifle : Well turned.

Lower thigh : Good expanse.

Hock : Well let down.

FEET : Oval, well knit, arched toes, well cushioned.

GAIT / MOVEMENT : Smooth, covering plenty of ground. Driving hind action, elbows neither in nor out. Definitely not a hackney action.

COAT

HAIR : Fine, short, hard and evenly distributed, perfectly smooth and straight with decided sheen.

COLOUR : Usual colours are lemon and white, orange and white, liver and white, and black and white. Self colours and tricolours are also correct.

SIZE :

Height at the withers : Dogs : 63 - 69 cm (25 - 27 ins).

Bitches : 61 - 66 cm (24 - 26 ins).

FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.