Pointer

Less time grooming means more time playing! Here are some grooming tips for your Pointer:

• Brushing: Because their short, flat coat sheds moderately, a short quick brushing once a week with a bristle brush will do the trick.
• Bathing: Bath time is even easier. Pointers have water-resistant coats and should only be bathed two to three times per year. (Make sure you choose a dog shampoo that won’t dry out their coat or skin, and consider using a dog-friendly conditioner.)
• Ear cleaning: An English Pointer’s longish floppy ears do come with the potential for ear snags or ear infections. Check their ears for debris and any redness or swelling. If you notice anything, speak to your vet. If your vet recommends at-home cleaning, follow this step-by-step guide on how to clean dog ears.
• Nail trimming: Keep an eye on your dog’s nails. If they get close to touching the floor, it’s time for a trim! This may be needed every two weeks or every four weeks. (Get the how-to here.)
• Dental care: Lastly, it’s recommended to brush your Pointer’s teeth daily to stop plaque and tartar from building up. Periodontal disease can lead to a loss of teeth and even more serious issues like organ failure. In addition to regular daily or weekly brushings at home, be sure to take your dog to the vet for professional dental cleanings once per year.

Unlike a toddler who can’t quite reach the cookie jar, Pointers are unfazed by challenges and hard work. Training your Pointer puppy can start as early as 8-10 weeks to ensure there is a working and highly communicative relationship between pet parent and pup. During puppyhood and into adolescence, Pointers will be driven to follow their instincts and prey drive. They love to work and are quite intelligent, so whether it’s walking nicely on a leash, sniffing out a treat, or pointing and retrieving, Pointers are innately more interested in the outside environment, and pet parents can use that to their advantage when it comes to training!

Pointers require a training methodology that does not include fear, pain or intimidation as it can absolutely put a wedge in the relationship with this breed, or worse, can create anxiety when it comes to working with you. Not only does this make training even more difficult, it can create a dog who is reactive and/or nervous. Positive reinforcement training that rewards the dog with treats, toy time and/or praise is necessary for your Pointer to learn and become a well-mannered pup.

A Pointer typically does well on a high-quality commercial dog food. Be sure to factor in your dog’s age and choose a formula that fits their stage in life (puppy, adult, senior). Your veterinarian can help you nail down a feeding chart to guide you on how much and how often to feed your dog based on their specific diet.

Because Pointers are so active and always on the go, they may benefit from a high-protein dog food, but consult with your veterinarian, as they will be in the best position to help you pick the best food for your dog based on their individual needs.

Let’s talk treats! You’re likely be using yummy treats for training as rewards and whenever your pup is being an especially good boy or girl. There are many commercially available dog treats to choose from, some of which are made specifically for training. Table scraps can be high in calories and lead to obesity, so it’s best to limit human food as much as possible. (Also, some human foods are dangerous to dogs!) But remember, all treats also count toward your dog’s daily caloric intake. Your vet can help you determine the best balance between treats and meals to keep your Pointer at a healthy weight.

When it comes to exercise, Pointers have a very high energy level and do best with active pet parents. These dogs were bred for hunting and have the speed to go with that skill. So, Pointers are at their best with at least two hours of exercise per day, and they love all kinds of activities like walking, running, swimming and general adventuring. While a rural or suburban setting with a yard is ideal, they can handle city life as long as you can put in the effort to meet their exercise needs. Without an outlet for all their energy, pet parents might see some unwanted behaviors crop up, like chewing or excessive barking.

You might think all work and no play makes your Pointer a dull dog, but work is a serious topic for the Pointer dog breed. They’re fairly laidback, full of love and wet kisses, but they’re all about work, even if it’s fun work nose work training or a puzzle toy. Games like hide-n-seek or “Find It” can be a fun way to stimulate their minds and burn off some energy. Their favorite work is also what they were bred for; dog sports like pointing and retrieving are good options. Maybe there are no spare ducks quacking around, but who’s to say they can’t point and retrieve a cold bevvie from the fridge for you?

Pointers are friendly dogs and don’t mind socializing with everyone and their dog. They love kids and other pets (even cats when properly socialized at a young age!). They thrive in environments where they can properly exercise their bodies and minds, whether that’s in the city or the country, though they do best in suburban and rural areas where they can easily access an outlet for their high-energy bodies and distractible minds. While they might be a bit much for first-time pet parents, Pointers can be wonderful pets for anyone willing to put in the time and energy.