Pointer

Early records of this attractive canine indicate that the breed may have been around since the 1600s in Spain. The current Pointer originated in England and was named after their ability to be able to “point” their muzzle at small game. There is some speculation as to which breeds this retrieving dog was developed from. Considerations are the Italian and Spanish Pointers, Foxhound, Greyhound, Bloodhound, Setter, and Bulldog. While the exact ancestry is not well-documented, these breeds are commonly accepted as part of the ancestry. Early versions of the dog were described as less than friendly and vicious creatures bred just to hunt and kill game. One of their original ancestors, the Spanish Pointer, was effective at catching game, but was slow-moving. When self-loading guns rose in popularity, hunters needed a quick companion in order to be able to catch up to prey. This dog's original purpose was to point out rabbits and eventually moved on to the ability to spot birds. In 1884, they were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club. In the 19th century, there were efforts to breed them to make them easier to train as well to format a friendlier disposition. Before the Civil War, they were imported to the United States where they gained popularity for hunting quail. Since then, their appearance has been modified. This determined breed was preferred when it came to hunting due to their ability to remain motionless until the prey was shot down. The breed is considered to have an excellent tracking reputation with effective pointing abilities.