Pointing breed
Encyclopedia
A pointing breed is a type
of gundog
typically used in finding game
. Gundogs are traditionally divided into three classes: retriever
s, flushing dog
s, and pointing breeds. The name pointer comes from the dog's instinct to point, by stopping and aiming its muzzle towards game. This demonstrates to the hunter the location of his or her quarry and allows them to move into gun range. Pointers were selectively bred
for dogs who had abundant pointing and backing instinct. They typically start to acquire their hunting instincts at about 2 months of age. Many need further training to hold steadily at all appropriate times until released by the hunter.
The pointing breeds can be dated to England
and Europe
in about the 1650s. They may have descended from dogs from Spain
. (Furgus, 2002) Pointing dogs were originally used by hunters who netted the game. The dog would freeze or set (as in Setter
) and allow the hunter to throw the net over the game before it flushed. Flushing dogs, on the other hand, were often used by falconer
s to flush game for the raptors.
Most continental European pointing breeds are classified as versatile gun dog breeds or sometimes HPR breeds (for hunt, point and retrieve). The distinction is made because versatile breeds were developed to find and point game as all pointing breeds, but were also bred to perform other hunting tasks as well. This distinction likely arose because while the British developed breeds which specialized in tasks such as pointing, flushing and retrieving from land or water, in Continental Europe, the same dog was trained to be able to perform each of these tasks (albeit less effectively). The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association
defines versatility as "the dog that is bred and trained to dependably hunt and point game, to retrieve on both land and water, and to track wounded game on both land and water." As an example, German Shorthair Pointers are often used to retrieve birds duck hunting
whereas, calling upon a Pointer to do the same would be less common. Unlike the pure pointing and setting breeds, many versatile dogs were bred for working in dense cover, and traditionally have docked
tails.
The Westminster Kennel Club was organized in the early 1870s and the club's early English import, "Sensation", is still used as the club logo.
Pointers (and setters) include the following breeds:
The following breeds are also considered versatile hunting dogs:
Dog type
Dog types are broad categories of dogs based on function, with dogs identified primarily by specific function or style of work rather than by lineage or appearance....
of gundog
Gun dog
thumb|right|A group of Gun dogs as printed in Dogs of All Nations by W.E. Mason in 1915Gun dogs, also gundogs or bird dogs, are types of dogs developed to assist hunters in finding and retrieving game, usually birds. Gun dogs are divided into three primary types: Retrievers, flushing dogs, and...
typically used in finding game
Game (food)
Game is any animal hunted for food or not normally domesticated. Game animals are also hunted for sport.The type and range of animals hunted for food varies in different parts of the world. This will be influenced by climate, animal diversity, local taste and locally accepted view about what can or...
. Gundogs are traditionally divided into three classes: retriever
Retriever
A retriever is a type of gun dog that retrieves game for a hunter. Generally gun-dogs are divided into three major classifications: retrievers, flushing spaniels, and pointing breeds. Retrievers were bred primarily to retrieve birds or other prey and return them to the hunter without damage...
s, flushing dog
Flushing dog
A Flushing Dog is a gundog trained to flush game, especially birds, by first finding the game then driving it from its hiding place for a hunter to shoot or capture. Flushing dogs are different from other gundog types such as pointers and setters, dogs which remain still after locating the game, or...
s, and pointing breeds. The name pointer comes from the dog's instinct to point, by stopping and aiming its muzzle towards game. This demonstrates to the hunter the location of his or her quarry and allows them to move into gun range. Pointers were selectively bred
Selective breeding
Selective breeding is the process of breeding plants and animals for particular genetic traits. Typically, strains that are selectively bred are domesticated, and the breeding is sometimes done by a professional breeder. Bred animals are known as breeds, while bred plants are known as varieties,...
for dogs who had abundant pointing and backing instinct. They typically start to acquire their hunting instincts at about 2 months of age. Many need further training to hold steadily at all appropriate times until released by the hunter.
History
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in about the 1650s. They may have descended from dogs from Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. (Furgus, 2002) Pointing dogs were originally used by hunters who netted the game. The dog would freeze or set (as in Setter
Setter
The setter is a type of gundog used most often for hunting game such as quail, pheasant, and grouse. A setter silently searches for game by scent. When prey is encountered the dog freezes rather than chasing after the game. Setters get their name from their distinctive stance; a sort of crouch...
) and allow the hunter to throw the net over the game before it flushed. Flushing dogs, on the other hand, were often used by falconer
Falconry
Falconry is "the taking of wild quarry in its natural state and habitat by means of a trained raptor". There are two traditional terms used to describe a person involved in falconry: a falconer flies a falcon; an austringer flies a hawk or an eagle...
s to flush game for the raptors.
Most continental European pointing breeds are classified as versatile gun dog breeds or sometimes HPR breeds (for hunt, point and retrieve). The distinction is made because versatile breeds were developed to find and point game as all pointing breeds, but were also bred to perform other hunting tasks as well. This distinction likely arose because while the British developed breeds which specialized in tasks such as pointing, flushing and retrieving from land or water, in Continental Europe, the same dog was trained to be able to perform each of these tasks (albeit less effectively). The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association
North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association
The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association was founded 1969 in in Goodwood, Ontario, Canada by a group of pudelpointer and griffon enthusiasts...
defines versatility as "the dog that is bred and trained to dependably hunt and point game, to retrieve on both land and water, and to track wounded game on both land and water." As an example, German Shorthair Pointers are often used to retrieve birds duck hunting
Duck hunting
Waterfowl hunting is the practice of hunting ducks, geese, or other waterfowl for food and sport...
whereas, calling upon a Pointer to do the same would be less common. Unlike the pure pointing and setting breeds, many versatile dogs were bred for working in dense cover, and traditionally have docked
Docking (animals)
Docking is the removal of portions of an animal's tail. While space docking and bobbing are more commonly used to refer to removal of the tail, the term cropping is used in reference to the ears. Tail docking occurs in one of two ways. The first involves constricting the blood supply to the tail...
tails.
The Westminster Kennel Club was organized in the early 1870s and the club's early English import, "Sensation", is still used as the club logo.
Appearance
Pointing breeds come in all varieties of coats, from short-haired dogs, to wire-haired dogs, to silky-coated Setters. Most breeds tend to have some sort of spots on their body, whether the spots are small and round, or a large oval shape.Types of Breeds
- English SetterEnglish SetterThe English Setter is a breed of dog. It is part of the Setter family, which includes red Irish Setters, Irish Red and White Setters, and black-and-tan Gordon Setters. It is a gun dog, bred for a mix of endurance and athleticism.- Appearance :...
- Gordon SetterGordon SetterA Gordon Setter is a large breed of dog, a member of the setter family that also includes both the better-known Irish Setter and the English Setter. Setter breeds are classified as members of either the Sporting or Gundog Group depending on the national kennel club or council. The original purpose...
- Irish Red and White SetterIrish Red and White SetterThe Irish Red and White Setter is a breed of dog, more specifically a setter. It is virtually identical in use and temperament to its cousin, the Irish Setter, but is more often found as a working gundog.-Appearance:...
- Irish SetterIrish SetterThe Irish Setter , is a setter, a breed of gundog and family dog. The term Irish Setter is commonly used to encompass the show-bred dog recognized by the American Kennel Club as well as the field-bred Red Setter recognised by the Field Dog Stud Book....
- PointerPointer (dog breed)The Pointer, often called the English Pointer, is a breed of dog developed as a gun dog. It is one of several pointing breeds.-Appearance:...
The following breeds are also considered versatile hunting dogs:
- Bracco ItalianoBracco ItalianoThe Bracco Italiano is a breed of dog developed in Italy as a versatile gun dog. It is not common in its native country and is virtually unknown elsewhere.-Description:...
- Braque de l’Ariège (Ariege Pointer)
- Braque du BourbonnaisBraque du BourbonnaisThe Braque du Bourbonnais is a breed of gundog, of rustic appearance, sometimes born with a short tail, with a coat ticked with liver or fawn.- Origins :...
(Bourbonnais pointer) - Braque d'AuvergneBraque d'AuvergneThe Braque d'Auvergne is a breed of dog originating in the mountain area of Cantal, in the historic Auvergne province in the mid-south of France. It is a pointer and versatile gundog. The breed descends from ancient regional types of hunting dogs....
- Braque FrancaisBraque FrancaisThe Braques français are hunting dogs, from a very old type of gun dog used for pointing the location of game birds for a hunter. There are two breeds of Braque français, both from the south of France, the Braque français, type Gascogne The Braques français (FCI breeds No. 133/134) are hunting...
- Braque Saint-GermainBraque Saint-GermainThe Braque Saint-Germain is a medium-large breed of dog, a versatile hunter used for hunting as a gun dog and pointer as well as for hunting other small game. Braque is a term meaning pointing dogs...
- BrittanyBrittany (dog)The Brittany is a breed of gun dog bred primarily for bird hunting. Although the Brittany is often referred to as a Spaniel, the breed's working characteristics are more akin to those of a pointer or setter.-History:...
(Epagneul Breton, formerly known as the Brittany Spaniel) - French Brittany (Épagneul Breton, FCI standard)
- French SpanielFrench SpanielThe French Spaniel is a breed of dog of the Spaniel type. It was developed in France as a hunting dog, descended from dogs of the 14th century. Popular with royalty during the Middle Ages, it nearly became extinct by the turn of the 20th century but was saved by the efforts of Father Fournier, a...
- Canadian Pointer
- Cesky FousekCesky FousekThe Cesky Fousek is a Czech breed of versatile gun dog. They are wirehaired, and have the beard and moustache common to the wirehaired breeds. There is a dramatic difference in size between the bitches and dogs of this breed....
- Frisian Pointer (Stabyhoun/Stabij)
- German Longhaired PointerGerman Longhaired PointerThe German longhaired pointer is a breed of dog. It was developed in Germany, and is used as a gundog.-Appearance:The GLP should be muscular, elegant, and athletic. It should not be bulky or cumbersome, and it should be able to move with great speed and freedom. It has moderate bone, but has...
- German Shorthaired PointerGerman Shorthaired PointerThe German shorthaired pointer is a breed of dog developed in the 19th century in Germany for hunting.The breed is streamlined yet powerful with strong legs that make it able to move rapidly and turn quickly. It has moderately long floppy ears set high on the head. Its muzzle is long, broad, and...
- German Wirehaired PointerGerman Wirehaired PointerThe German wirehaired pointer is a griffon type breed of dog developed in the 19th century in Germany for hunting. It became a leading gun dog in Germany in the later part of the 20th century...
- German Hunting Terrier
- Hungarian VizslaHungarian VizslaThe Vizsla is a dog breed originating in Hungary. The Hungarian or Magyar Vizsla are sporting dogs and loyal companions, in addition to being the smallest of the all-round pointer-retriever breeds...
- Labrador RetrieverLabrador RetrieverThe Labrador Retriever is one of several kinds of retriever, a type of gun dog. A breed characteristic is webbed paws for swimming, useful for the breed's original purpose of retrieving fishing nets. The Labrador is the most popular breed of dog by registered ownership in Canada, the United...
- Large MunsterlanderLarge MunsterlanderThe Large Munsterlander is a breed of gun dog originally from the Münster region in Germany.The Kennel Club in England recognised the breed in 1919 and established the breed standard in 1921.-Appearance:...
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
- Old Danish PointerOld Danish PointerThe Old Danish Pointer is a medium-sized breed of dog, white with brown markings, originally used as a pointing dog in Denmark.- Appearance :...
- Old Spanish Pointer (Perdiguero Navarro)
- Portuguese PointerPortuguese PointerA Portuguese Pointer, is a breed of dog developed as a gun dog. It is one of several pointing breeds and is mainly used in Red-legged Partridge hunting....
- PudelpointerPudelpointerA Pudelpointer is a versatile hunting dog breed from Germany. They are a pointing breed that came from a cross between the German hunting poodle and the English Pointer.- Appearance :...
- Slovak Rough-haired Pointer
- Small MunsterlanderSmall MunsterlanderThe Small Munsterlander is a versatile hunting-pointing-retrieving dog breed that reached its current form in the area around Münster, Germany. The Large Munsterlander is from the same area, but was developed from different breeding stock and is not related as the names would suggest...
- Spanish Pointer (Perdiguero de Burgos)
- Spinone ItalianoSpinone ItalianoThe Spinone Italiano is an Italian dog breed. However, it should be recognized that the Spinone is a unique, indivisable breed and the correct reference is Spinone . It was originally bred as a versatile gun dog. To this day, the breed still masters that purpose...
- StichelhaarStichelhaarA Stichelhaar is a versatile hunting dog that originated from Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It is a cross between German sheepdogs and rough-haired "standing dogs", but more detailed information about its origins are unknown.- Appearance :...
- Vizsla
- WeimaranerWeimaranerThe Weimaraner is a dog that was originally bred for hunting in the early 19th century. Early Weimaraners were used by royalty for hunting large game such as boar, bear, and deer. As the popularity of large game hunting began to decline, Weimaraners were used for hunting smaller animals like...
- Wirehaired Pointing GriffonWirehaired Pointing GriffonThe Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a breed of dog used in hunting as a gundog. It is sometimes considered to be Dutch in ancestry, due to the breed founder, Eduard Korthals, nationality...
- Wirehaired Vizsla (Drótszőrű Magyar Vizsla)