Dogs and humans share a long history of friendship that dates back thousands of years. While today they are mostly kept as companions, their sharp instincts make them excellent hunters. Humans have also learned to harness these traits and, through many generations of selective breeding, have developed different types of hunting dogs. One prime example is the pointing dog, a magnificent animal with exceptional skills. Let’s dive in and learn more about them.
Uses of the Pointing Dog
The pointing dog is trained to sniff, find, and indicate to its handler the location of game. To achieve this, it marks a point, which is especially useful for gun hunting. These dogs possess natural abilities such as a highly developed sense of smell and incredible stamina. While retrieving game isn’t their primary skill, some pointing dogs also retrieve game.
History
The pointing dog originated in the 14th century, when it was used for bird hunting. Upon detecting the presence of game, it would lie down and remain still. Over time, breeders improved their performance (stamina, sense of smell, docility...) through selective breeding. This evolution has shaped them into the pointing dogs we know today.
Type of Hunting Practiced by Pointing Dogs
Hunting with a pointing dog has its own unique features. During the search or quest for game, the various pointing dog breeds either gallop or trot. They often move upwind to catch any scent emanating from the game’s body. Depending on the strength of the scent, they can locate the game. Once they detect it, they make quick zigzag movements to get close enough, but not too close to avoid startling it. They then freeze in a characteristic position: this is the “point”. The dogs remain in this position until their handler joins them. Once the handler takes down the game, the dog will retrieve it if they’ve been trained to do so.
<<Some pointing dog breeds, like the spaniel, also retrieve the game, though this is not their primary role.>>
Feeding Pointing Dogs
Good nutrition is essential for maintaining the health of your pointing dog. It is also the cornerstone for optimal hunting performance. For this reason, it’s often recommended to provide them with high-quality food.
To offer the best dog food on the market, choose premium food lines developed with input from veterinary nutritionists. These products usually contain chicken, beef, or pork meat, which makes up at least 40% of the dog food. When it comes to cereal percentage, the lower it is, the better.
On rest days, it is advisable to stick to daily portions (1 to 2 times). However, on hunting days and training days, they need more energy. Portions should therefore be increased. Make sure they are balanced to meet your dog’s nutritional needs. For treats, you can use dog snacks they enjoy, such as a raw, meaty bone, or furthermore, deer antler, dried beef tendon, and naturally dried beef hide, which are also excellent for chewing and dog dental care.
You may also choose a BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food). This approach involves feeding your pointing dog fresh foods, such as raw meat along with vegetables and certain raw fruits. Alternatively, you can prepare homemade meals, but in this case, it is recommended that they contain equal portions of meat, some starches, and vegetables.
The Main Breeds of Pointing Dogs
The pointing dog family is very diverse and includes many representatives. While they vary quite a bit, they share many qualities such as endurance and courage. The most popular breeds include the Breton spaniel, the French spaniel, the German pointer, the French pointer, the drahthaar, the Korthals (griffon), the English setter, the pointer, the Czech barbet, the Langhaar, and others.
The Breton Spaniel
The Breton spaniel is undoubtedly one of the most popular pointing dogs. This animal holds many superlatives. It is the smallest of the pointing dogs, but also the fastest and most athletic. It has an excellent reputation due to its many qualities. Very intelligent, active, and obedient, it can adapt to all terrains and living conditions. For example, it enjoys being at home, where it loves to play with children, including young ones.
Furthermore, the Breton spaniel has a very fine nose, making it a great woodcock dog. As an adult, it weighs between 28.6 and 39.7 lbs [13-18 kg]. Its coat is light and speckled with brown.
The Pointer
The pointer is a pure pointing dog. It truly thrives only with a master who hunts, its area of expertise. Very elegant and versatile, it also excels in bird hunting. The pointer is athletic, enduring, and highly resilient.
Like the spaniel, it has great adaptability but also stands out for its exceptional memory. Its point is firm and still. Females typically weigh between 44 and 66 lbs [20-30 kg], while males weigh between 55 and 75 lbs [25-34 kg]. The pointer has a bicolored coat, combining white with other shades such as lemon, brown, black, or orange.
The French Pointer of the Gascogne Type
The French pointer of the Gascogne type is a dog perfectly suited for traditional hunting. Raised in the southwest of France for hundreds of years, this rustic, elegant, and powerful dog has an excellent nose and a firm point. It is also a very active and obedient dog. Very lively and intelligent, its almost infallible instinct and observational skills make it comfortable both in open fields and in the woods.
With a gentle and calm nature, it is also a great companion animal. Very balanced, this dog has a reputation for being easy to train and loves spending time with its owners. For the Gascogne type, the ideal size is between 24 and 24.8 inches [61-63 cm] at the withers, with females being more slender. Its coat is brown and white, which can be either speckled or not, and sometimes marked with fawn.
The English Setter
Recognizable by its elegant speckled coat, the English setter is an excellent pointing dog of medium size. It likely descends from an ancient Spanish pointing dog breed. With its great hunting skills, the English setter is considered one of the best pointing dogs.
Additionally, this dog is very affectionate and enjoys the company of children. While it probably prefers to roam large open spaces, it can easily adapt to urban life. The English setter is also easy to train and enjoys solid health.
Training and Education of Pointing Dogs
Training and properly educating a pointing dog is no small task, especially for beginners. However, its effectiveness in hunting largely depends on this process. Therefore, unless you seek the help of a professional trainer, it is crucial to educate yourself properly on how to choose your pointing dog and, more importantly, how to ensure its education.
Choosing the Right Puppy
While it is true that all pointing dogs are suitable for hunting, it is unlikely that all of them will be right for you. Therefore, choosing the right puppy is essential. When visiting a kennel, make sure to choose the one that appeals to you. This way, a climate of trust will be established, making the training process easier.
Training Tools for Your Dog
To successfully train your pointing dog, you need specific accessories designed to facilitate and speed up this process. These include a whistle, a training collar, a launching box, or even a clicker for dogs.
Additionally, to ensure its safety and prevent it from getting lost, it is recommended to equip it with a GPS tracking collar. You can find many models on websites dedicated to hunting dog equipment. However, make sure to adhere to current legislation regarding the use of such collars during hunting. You are only allowed to track your dog during hunting in the case of shooting hunts, to ensure its safety and prevent road accidents.
Basic Education
Your pointing dog is, first and foremost, a dog, and as such, it is essential that it first learns the basic commands. It must be able to come when called, learn to walk on a leash, and obey commands such as “come”, “sit”, or “no”. It is also during this stage that you can teach it retrieve commands such as “fetch”, “take”, or “carry”.
Formal Training
Once the basics are mastered, you can begin by getting your dog accustomed to the hunting field, as well as the smell of game. You must also teach it to stand still, that is, to mark the stop. To do this, you can use a launching box. This tool allows you to launch a bird. Afterward, you can use a training collar to teach your dog to retrieve the game whenever you wish.
Conclusion
In conclusion, pointing dogs are excellent hunting dogs, but also great companion animals. However, for this to be the case, education, training, and nutrition are aspects that should not be overlooked. Don't hesitate to seek advice when choosing your puppy if needed, but trust your hunting instincts. Among the many breeds tailored for hunting, you will undoubtedly find the faithful companion that suits you, and who will accompany you for many years and hunting seasons.
