It’s hard to think of anything more exciting for a dog lover or a family with kids than the day you’re bringing home a new Pointer puppy. But, it’s important for you, your family and your home to all be prepared for your new family member. Thorough preparation will make his arrival easier and safer for everyone, including your new puppy.
I take my Pointer out hunting as often as I can during quail season. Unfortunately, it’s easy for him to pick up some fleas or ticks when he’s working his way through the underbrush and tall grass. Well, let me tell you what I’ve learned about the dangers of one little flea.
We all know Pointers LOVE to run. If you have a yard but you either don’t want to fence it in or you can’t afford to, “hidden fences” might be an option you’re considering. They’re invisible and they’re much less expensive than traditional, above-ground fences. And a hidden fence will usually keep a dog inside his boundaries once he’s been trained in how it works.
Pointers are tough, but it doesn’t take long for heat to get to any dog. We all need to be careful during the hot summer months. Dehydration can quickly become life-threatening, so making sure your dog always has plenty of fresh water is extremely important. But, there are several other things you should also do (and not do) to protect your Pointer from the summer heat. For example, if you leave him outside for more than a few minutes, make sure he has a nice shady spot to stay cool in. You can also time his daily runs or walks so they’re early in the morning or late in the evening, when the temperature is a bit cooler than mid-afternoon.
There’s no doubt about it, my Pointer is a hunting dog. That’s why I got him, and he does a great job. We go out almost every weekend during hunting season, and he’s in great condition from running through the brush and woods after birds. He’s big, tough and strong. But I still have to be careful with him during the cold days we have during winter.
One reason we feel such affection for our Pointers is because they always keep us laughing. You might not realize it, but these dogs are talented canine comedians!
If you’re interested in getting a purebred Pointer, have you considered adopting your dog through one of the many Pointer rescue groups scattered throughout the US, Canada, the UK and other countries? These rescue groups typically are non-profit organizations staffed by volunteers who are dedicated to rescuing, fostering and permanently placing purebred Pointers.
I hunt with my Pointer every weekend during hunting season, and I love my dog because he helps me bag so many more birds. I also appreciate the way I don’t have to coddle him like some of those smaller dogs seem to need. However, I do sometimes worry about the stress and strain hunting places on my dog’s joints. After all, he’s running through woods and underbrush on uneven ground all day long while we’re out in the field.
This is a great question! Although many Pointers are now bred specifically to be family pets, others are still used as hunting dogs out in the field. Traditionally, gundogs used to help hunters find game have been grouped into three classifications: retrievers, flushing dogs and pointing breeds. Obviously, English Pointers fall into the third group.