American Gointer

The American Gointer is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the English Pointer. Little is known of the early origins of the Gointer, and since they are a modern hybrid, they are not recognized by the AKC. While many of the Gointers are a 50/50 mix, there are breeders who breed these hybrids over multiple generations, which can vary the amounts of each purebred in any given puppy. The English Pointer’s story is believed to begin in Spain. Somewhere between 1650 and 1713, English officers brought Spanish Pointers to England, where they were crossbred with many other breeds. Bloodhounds gave them a scenting ability, Greyhounds lent their grace and speed, and Foxhounds contributed a well-developed rib cage and endurance. The resulting dogs were a bit ferocious, and were then bred with Setters. Pointers then became versatile hunting dogs and good tempered family dogs. This elegant breed made its way to the United States somewhere between the time of the early colonists and the Civil War, and was finally recognized by the AKC in 1879. Today, these Pointers are called English Pointers to distinguish them from other Pointers, such as Spanish Pointers. While the Pointers were being developed in England, their neighbors in Scotland developed the Golden Retriever in the early 1800s. They were bred from a yellow wavy-coated Retriever and a water Spaniel by Lord Tweedmouth, who lived on the Tweed River. Those puppies were then crossbred with Tweed Spaniels, black Retrievers, Setters and a Bloodhound. Sometime around 1900, Lord Tweedmouth’s sons brought the resulting Flat-Coated Yellow Retriever to America to their Texas farm. By 1912, the breed was distinguished as a separate breed, and was then recognized by the AKC sometime between 1925 and 1932. While at first, the Golden Retriever was prized as a hunting dog, it later became known as a show dog and a good family pet. Since, the breed’s intelligence has made it an invaluable working dog, and many Goldens are trained as guide, therapy, and service dogs.