Why Are These Dogs Called “Pointers”

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.

Field (hunting) Pointers are typically used to locate upland game birds such as pheasants, quail, grouse, pigeons, partridges and so forth. The name “Pointer” comes from the dog’s strong instinct to “point” at game once he sees, smells, or hears it. A pointing dog stops all forward movement and aims (or points) his nose at the bird. Often, but not always, one front foot is raised. This posture shows the human hunter the approximate location of his or quarry and should be held by the dog until the hunter closes within gun range and releases him.

A century or two ago, the Pointer breed was developed by selectively breeding dogs who exhibited instinctive pointing talents and tendencies. As a result, the pointing instinct is strong in today’s Pointers. Pointer pups have been known to start pointing at “something” as early as two months old. Mine started pointing when he was about three months old, and he’s been rock-steady on his points ever since!