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Introduction to English Pointers
The English pointer, also simply called the pointer, is a medium to large-sized dog breed with a bold personality and high intelligence. These dogs were originally bred to hunt but many live as family dogs in households today. If you’re looking for an active dog that loves the outdoors, an English pointer might be the perfect companion for your jogs, hikes, and bike rides.
In this Healthy Paws breed guide, we cover everything you need to know about the English pointer dog breed, including personality, care, health, and insurance needs.
Size of English Pointers
When fully grown, a male English pointer will weigh between 55 to 75 pounds and stand 25 to 28 inches tall. Female adults are 45 to 65 pounds and 23 to 26 inches tall. Most of these dogs’ growth occurs in the first six months. However, they may still gain muscle mass until about 18 months.
Here’s how big you can expect your English pointer to get as the dog grows from puppyhood to adulthood:
| Weight Chart | 3 months | 6 months | 12 months | 18 months |
| Male English pointers | 18 – 25 lbs. | 35 – 50 lbs. | 50 – 70 lbs. | 55 – 75 lbs. |
| Female English pointers | 15 – 23 lbs. | 30 – 42 lbs. | 45 – 60 lbs. | 45 – 65 lbs. |
Characteristics of English Pointers
English pointers are versatile field dogs and excel in dog shows and competitions. They are fun-loving dogs with a lot of energy and a need to be active and on the go.
English pointers do better in warm weather than in cold weather. They don’t like being left alone for long periods of time and are friendly to nearly anyone they meet, including strangers, kids, and other dogs.
As you get to know an English pointer’s personality, here’s what you can expect based on the breed characteristics:
| Breed Characteristic | Level (High, Medium, Low) |
| Affectionate with People | High |
| Good with Kids | High |
| Good with Pets | High |
| Need for Exercise | High |
| Energy Level | High |
| Intelligence Level | High |
| Able to Be Trained | High |
| Amount of Barking | Medium |
| Amount of Shedding | Medium |
History of English Pointers
The known history of the pointer takes us back to Britain, where they were used for hunting before the era of rifles. English pointers excelled as hunting dogs in the 1700s because they were able to point and retrieve game birds with great skill.
However, some historians believe the pointer is linked to ancient dog breeds, as there is evidence it has a lineage tied to Egypt, Spain, Italy, and France. We know that the British army took pointers to the U.K. after the War of Spanish Succession, where they were used wisely for hunting.
The first pointers came to the U.S. in the 1860s. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1878.
English Pointer Standard Information
English pointers are common participants at dog shows and are judged against the breed’s official standard to win awards. Their physical appearance, expressions, movements, and temperament are all evaluated.
Here is an overview of the breed standard information for English pointers:
Head:
- Medium-width skull
- Muzzle is deep without pendulous flews (upper lips)
- Bite even or scissors
- Nostrils are well developed and wide open
- Ears are set at eye level
- Eyes are round, intense, and dark
Neck, Topline, Body:
- Neck is long, muscular, and slightly arched
- Shoulders are long, thin, and sloping
- Elbows are well let down and directly under the withers
- Back is strong and solid with a loin of moderate length
- Tail is heavier at the root at tapers to a fine point
Hindquarters:
- Muscular and powerful hindquarters
- Stifles are well-bent
- Legs are straight when viewed from behind
Coat:
- Short and dense coat
- Smooth with a sheen
Color:
- Liver, black, lemon, or orange – in combination with white or solid colored
- A common saying is, “A good pointer cannot be a bad color.”
Gait:
- Smooth, frictionless, and powerful hindquarters drive
- Head is carried high with nostrils wide
- Tail moves from side to side with the pace
Caring for English Pointers
If you bring an English pointer into your life, you’ll need to provide your dog with plenty of space and ensure it gets lots of daily exercise. These are not ideal apartment dogs because of their energy and exercise needs.
Otherwise, caring for an English pointer is relatively straightforward because they have low-maintenance grooming needs.
Here are some general tips for taking the best care of an English pointer:
Best Living Environments:
- Not ideal apartment dogs
- Homes with fenced yards to run around
- Active families who love being outdoors
Type of Exercise:
- Long hikes
- Jogging with family members
- Running alongside a bike
- Hunting trips
- At least an hour or more of daily exercise
Mental Enrichment:
- Play frisbee in a yard
- Train to do dog sports
- Keep the dog mentally stimulated to prevent destructive behavior
Training Strategies:
- Be consistent and patient with training
- Intelligent dogs that can get bored easily
- Must commit to training session blocks at an early age, if possible
- Can be trained to get along with cats if introduced during puppyhood
Grooming Tips:
- Brush once per week with a hound mitt
- Only minimal shedding
- Wipe down with a damp cloth to keep clean regularly
- Only needs about three or four baths per year
- Brush teeth daily
- Trim nails regularly if they aren’t worn down naturally
Common Health Problems of English Pointers
English pointers typically live from 12 to 17 years. They are generally healthy dogs but also prone to some health conditions based on their breeding and genetics. The national breed club for English pointers recommends they undergo hip, thyroid, and elbow evaluations before breeding.
These are some of the most common health issues that arise with English pointers:
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Progressive retinal atrophy and other eye problems
- Epilepsy
- Allergies
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)
Diet and Nutrition for English Pointers
Most adult dogs will thrive when eating a high-quality, nutritionally complete and balanced dog food. English pointer puppies should eat a large breed puppy food until they are around 18 months old. If you feed your pointer homemade dog food, make sure you are working from a recipe that is designed by a veterinary nutritionist and is appropriate for your dog’s age and health status.
Feed the amount of dog food needed to keep your pet slim. You should be able to see your dog’s waist and feel (but not see) their ribs without having to press too hard. In general, puppies need more calories per day than adults, but a dog’s needs will vary with their activity level and other factors. Don’t leave food out all day for a pointer to graze on. Divide the total amount of food for the day into at least two to three meals for adults and three meals for puppies. Place the food out in a bowl at approximately the same time in the morning and evening each day.
English pointers are at elevated risk for gastric dilatation-volvulus, which is why it is important to feed your dog several meals per day rather than just one large meal. Also, don’t feed your pointer right before they go out to exercise or play to help prevent bloat.
Talk to your veterinarian if you have any questions about your English pointer’s diet or health.
Where to Adopt or Purchase English Pointers
The American Pointer Club comprises pointer owners and breeders with a shared interest in the breed. Its website provides a breeder directory to ensure you find a healthy dog if you choose to raise a purebred puppy.
Numerous rescue organizations and nonprofits also work to find homes for English pointers. For example, there’s the American Pointer Rescue, Pointer Rescue Organization, Pointers in Need, and Pointer Rescue Service. An adoptable pointer dog can make your life feel rewarding and fulfilled with an incredible companion by your side.
Related Breeds
Besides the English pointer, there are other pointer breeds that were bred to be hunting companions. Also known as bird dogs or gun dogs, pointers share many common characteristics, such as being active, intelligent, enthusiastic, and able to navigate rugged terrain.
Here are some of the many other breeds that you might also consider if the English pointer has captured your attention:
- Bracco Italiano
- Brittany Spaniel
- English setter
- German shorthaired pointer
- German wirehaired pointer
- Gordon setter
- Irish red and white setter
- Irish setter
- Spinone Italiano
- Vizsla
- Weimaraner
- Wirehaired pointing griffon
- Wirehaired vizsla
- Braque du Bourbonnais
- Portuguese pointer
Pet Insurance for English Pointers
Pet insurance is an excellent idea for English pointers because of their high activity levels and potential for accidents and injuries. As discussed in the health section above, English pointers are also prone to several health conditions.
Fortunately, Healthy Paws offers English pointer insurance to give you peace of mind and the ability to pay the vet bills if your dog becomes sick or hurt. Our coverage includes chronic conditions, emergency and specialty hospitals, hip dysplasia, hereditary and congenital conditions, and cancer care.
On our website, you can browse customer reviews and comparison charts to learn why Healthy Paws stands out among other companies that insure pets. We have no maximum annual or lifetime payouts, and we are able to process most claims within just two days when you submit your vet bill to us online or through our app.
For your English pointer insurance rate, please visit our quote page today. We look forward to helping you take the best care of your English pointer during all stages of life.
