What size is a pointer dog?
English pointers grow to about 60-70cm tall and weigh anywhere from 20 to 33kg. The head has a distinctive, chiselled appearance and the muzzle is long. The ears are set fairly high on the head and hang. The neck is long, and the body is strong, sleek and graceful.
Small Munsterlander Pointer Dog Breed Pictures
SLIDE Small Munsterlander Pointer Dog Breed Information, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts – Dogtime
What is the difference between a German Shorthaired Pointer vs. an English Pointer?
It is true that the German shorthaired pointer and the English pointer look very much alike, and breeders believe that the German shorthaired pointer breed was improved by some English pointer genetics somewhere down the line. The English pointer may be a bit smaller and lighter than the German shorthaired, which has a wide, deep chest and muscular legs. Another characteristic that separates the two dogs is that the German shorthaired pointer, like other German pointers, has webbed feet, since it also hunts in the water. Another difference is that the English pointer doesn’t retrieve game but only points.
This beautiful, silvery gray sporting dog was also developed in Germany in the 1600s, though the story of just how it was developed is murky. It is not only a pointer dog but has been used to hunt and retrieve game. Its trademark coat can be short or somewhat long, with some fringing on the legs, the tail, and ears. The Weimaraner stands 22 to 27 inches high at the shoulder and weighs between 70 and 80 pounds, much of it due to its muscular build. Its eyes are famously amber or blue-gray, its back is level and clean, and it has a long muzzle, a long, strong neck, and deep and powerful shoulders.
For more information about the Weimaraner, go here.
This is one of the types of pointer bird dogs that has a long coat with lots of feathering on the tail and the legs, which makes it look more like a setter than a pointer. It can be told from the Larger Munsterlander because it is, of course, smaller at 19 to 22 inches high at the shoulder and lighter at around 33 pounds. It’s also restricted to colors of liver and white with some ticking if it’s shown. Its front legs are straight and its feet are tight and well-padded. The Small Munsterlander originated in the 1800s and was and is prized for its pointing. This good-natured dog was developed in the Westphalia area of Germany.
This dog, bred for tracking and pointing, originated in France in the 1600s and looks much like the German shorthaired pointer. However, its muzzle is wider and more angular, its skull is a bit rounder, and it appears to have pleats on its ears. The fur of its body is dense and thick, though short, but the hair on its head is fine. It has dewlaps that call to mind a scent hound. In fact, the large French pointer’s sense of smell is exemplary. The dog nearly went extinct, but its numbers are increasing.
This pointer, which has a rather messy coat, originated in France but was developed by a Dutchman, Eduard Korthals. It has powerful legs for tracking and a large head adorned with a thick beard and bushy eyebrows. Besides pointing, this dog also retrieves and hunts rats and foxes. It stands between 22 and 24 inches high at the shoulder, weighs between 50 and 60 pounds, and is known for its intelligence.
This pointer originated in Czechoslovakia in the 1800s. It looks much like the Wire-haired Pointing Griffon except it is taller and heavier, and its legs are longer in proportion to its body. The Cesky Fousek also has a somewhat messy, bristly coat that is longest over its back and flanks. It also has a thick undercoat and long ears that are placed further back on its head. It is an energetic dog that needs to work to be happy, and unlike some types of pointer bird dogs don’t make the best pet.
This sporting dog has the coloration and markings of the English and German short-haired pointers, but it is a heavier set. It has a massive head in proportion to its body, with a round skull and a distinct stop. It has a short but glossy coat, powerful hindquarters, and large, well-cushioned feet. The area around the eyes and the ears must be black for the dog to be shown, and a coat pattern called charbonnée is a plus. These are bluish spots that come about when black and white hairs overlap. The Auvergne pointer was developed in France in the 1800s.
Among the different types of pointer dogs, this dog stands out because of the dewlaps around its neck. The dewlaps make this pointer’s sense of smell exceptional, as the folds of skin waft scent molecules up into the dog’s nose. Besides pointing, it is used for tracking wounded prey. Though the Old Danish Pointer isn’t as tall as other pointers as it stands 20 to 23 inches high at the shoulder, it is robust and muscular. Unlike the English pointer, it holds its tail down though its back is also straight. It also has a liver-colored nose, long, rounded ears, and a deep chest. The dog was developed in Denmark in the 1700s.
This breed of pointer dog was so good at its job that game, particularly the partridges it was named after, became scarce. It was actually forbidden to own the Perdigueiro Portugueso unless you were royalty. This happened in the 16th century, and the breed is far older than that, having been developed in Portugal in the 1200s.
This biddable and energetic dog stands 20 to 22 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 35 and 60 pounds. Its ears are large, folded, and shaped like rounded off triangles, and the muzzle is broad and short with a large nose with large nostrils. The neck is straight and powerful, and its body is short and broad with a bit of a curve to its back. There are long-haired and short-haired versions of the Perdigueiro Portugueso, but of the different types of pointer dogs, the long-haired Perdigueiro Portugueso is rare now.
Pointer Dog – Top 10 Facts
There are plenty of pointer dog breeds available, and even more breeds of hunting dogs that are versatile enough to serve as pointers. Their high intelligence and ability to quickly learn has made these breeds a favorite among all types of owners.
Though hunting with these dogs still exists, most of these dog breeds are just as likely to find their place in a quiet family home as they are out in the woods on a hunt. In fact, some can even make decent canine companions for apartment.
But what exactly do these pointer dog breeds do? And how are they different than other dogs? We dive into these special “gun dogs” and found the best hunting dogs that “point for a living.” Read on to learn more about pointer dogs.