#pointer dogs

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Best Hunting Dog Breeds - Best Pointer Dogs - Types of Pointer Dogs

The best hunting dog breeds, starting with the best pointer dogs. Learn about the types of pointer dogs, and which is best suited for field and family life.

Types of Pointer Dogs

There are many factors that influence what dog breed is best for hunting. In this article, we’ll look at the best pointer dogs for hunting, and in future articles, we’ll examine flushing breeds, retrievers, hounds, and terriers. There are as many types of pointer dogs as there are animals to hunt, but we’ll take a look at just a few of our favorites.

Pointing breeds are any dog breed whose characteristics during a hunt is to stand motionless “pointing” their snouts towards the target. Historically, pointers have been used to locate birds in the bush and signal their handlers of the preys whereabouts. Though steadfast workers, these breeds often make great family dogs as well. Now, let’s examine what makes pointers great gundogs and how they assimilate to life off the field.

American Brittany

The American Brittany is our pick for best pointer dogs due to its innate pointing skills and pleasant disposition. Considered one of the oldest pointer breeds, the American Brittany was bred from the French Brittany. It was known as the Brittany Spaniel until recently when the name was officially changed in 1982.

The medium sized breed should measure between 17.5 and 20.5 inches, and males should weigh around 40 pounds. The American Brittany, if trained well, will point to the game and lay down as a signal. A strong sense of smell and retrieving skills round out their abilities as one of the best hunting dog breeds.

The versatility of the breed goes far beyond hunting though. The friendly American Brittany loves people and is loyal to the core. Ancestral characteristics of the breed, from the French Brittany, make Brittany’s a great companion and watchdog. As with most hunting breeds, the Brittany is intelligent and active, making them a less-than-ideal choice for apartment life. However, if the owner is active and willing to commit time to vigorous daily exercise, the breed will do fine in apartment living.

English Setter

Another great choice for best hunting dog breeds is the English Setter. Like the Brittany, the English Setter lays down and points with on paw. The breed has been well documented as a great gundog over the last 400 years, and it’s assumed the breed has been around for centuries more than that.

Larger than the American Brittany, the English Setter should stand at about 25 inches tall and males should weight around 70 pounds. These long and lean dogs are known for a distinct feathered tail, and for their enthusiasm for all birds. Their agility and obedience make them well-suited for a hunting companion, and their eagerness to please make them a great family companion.

English Setters are, at heart, a working breed. They want to be doing something with their owners. So, keeping them busy will result in a happy owner and well-adjusted dog. We wouldn’t recommend an English Setter for apartment life unless ample time is devoted to daily exercise and training.

German Shorthaired Pointer

In the competition for the best pointer dogs, the German Shorthaired Pointer came in second by a very short hair. This relatively young breed was created in the mid-1800’s when German hunters decided they wanted their own national pointer breed. The goal was to create the most versatile pointing dog possible, and they succeeded.

Standing at close to two feet tall, with males weighing in around 60 pounds, the German Shorthaired Pointer is a medium sized hunting dog which was crossbred with other hounds and pointers. The result was a hard working gundog with a superior sense of smell and an unmatched endurance and fortitude. The combination of breeds also resulted in a dog that’s equally at home on land as in water. It’s said that the GSP can easily adapt to any and all types of hunting, regardless of terrain or the game size.

So, why didn’t the German Shorthaired Pointer take the top spot for best hunting dog breeds? Prowess in the field was one factor we used to assess the best pointer dogs. Living with different types of pointer dogs was another. Although the GSP is loyal, friendly, and eager to please; its energy and intelligence come with a price. The breed is known for possessing natural hunting abilities which require little training to solidify, as well as a tendency to be hard extremely headed through their adolescence. They also require an excessive amount of exercise and mental stimulation to quell destructive tendencies. The GSP exemplifies the notion of a working breed and they need to be treated as such for a positive ownership experience. We highly suggest not subjecting the German Shorthaired Pointer to apartment life.

Gordon Setter

The Gordon Setter is a Scottish favorite suited mostly to bird hunting. What they lack in speed, they make up for in stamina and sense of smell. Owners can be confident that they won’t endure any “wild goose chases” with a Gordon Setter by their side.

The Gordon is larger, by pointer dog standard, pointing breed. Males can way up to 80 pounds and stand as tall as 27 inches. This breed is a quick learner with a strong memory, meaning that whether in the house or field, the dog seems to get wiser with age.

Had the Gordon Setter been a more complete hunting dog, it would have surely ranked higher on our list of best pointer dogs. The Gordon’s limited hunting use is pleasantly counterbalanced by its household manner. They make excellent watchdogs because of their unbreakable family bonds. The Gordon Setter is devoted to pleasing its owner, whether in the bush or in the living room. Compared to other working dog breeds, the Gordon does not require as arduous of an exercise routine. Daily walks can allow for apartment life, but the breed would be happier with a backyard to explore.

Irish Setter

By way of the Emerald Isle, the Irish Setter could’ve won for most beautiful pointer dog. The unmistakable chestnut coat is medium in length and may contain small splashes of white on the neck and toes. Like the Gordon, Irish Setters are bird dogs to the core. Their longer muzzle and neck make retrieving and carrying fowl an easy task. Unlike the Gordon however, the Irish Setter is quicker and more agile.

The Irish Setter is another of the larger breeds, with males weighing up to 80 pounds and standing at 28 inches. There was a time in history when the Irish Setter was mostly removed from working lines, but dedicated breeders have reinstated the characteristics that once made it a popular gundog.

The breed is known to have an outgoing, almost comical personality. So, life with an Irish Setter should never be dull. The typical Irish Setter will be a great hunting dog, devote companion and loving family member. With companionship and beauty comes grooming. Consistent brushing helps keep the medium length coat from tangling, and professional grooming will be needed from time-to-time. The quicker, more agile Setter requires more exercise than other breeds, For this reason, we don’t advise Irish Setters to be confined to apartment living.

Weimaraner

One of the lesser known types of pointer dogs, and taking third our list of the best hunting dog breeds, is the Weimaraner. Originally bred for nobility to hunt large game, like boar and wolves, the Weimaraner is a slow, steady, and strong hunting companion. The breeds stealth-like movements and silver-grey coat earned it the nickname “grey ghost.”

Weimaraners have the most unique appearance of the pointer dogs we considered. In addition to the silver-grey coat, Weims eyes can be many shades of amber to gray and blue. They are on the larger side, with heights around 27 inches and males weighing in around 75 pounds. The most impressive gundog characteristic this breed possesses is the webbed feet, making them extraordinary swimmers. Their ability in the water is matched by their stamina. Weimaraners are powerful dogs with seemingly never-ending energy supply.

Of all the hunting dog breeds we’ve considered, the Weimaraner may be the best suited for family life. The dog was originally bred to be a house dog, and as such, suffers from separation anxiety. This disorder can be magnified if the breed is not exercised enough, or left alone for extended periods of time. The Weimaraner is truly a lover of its family. The only thing a Weim needs more than its family is exercise. Daily runs are recommended over walks, swimming when possible, and a fenced yard should almost be mandatory. The strong will and high intelligence of Weimaraners make them excellent companions when trained well. Training should be done early, often, and firmly to avoid developing bad habits.

Best Pointer Dogs

All the pointers on this list are an excellent choice for any hunting excursion. Each breed has its pros and cons, but ultimately we selected the breeds we believed were most versatile in the field and adapted best to family life. Some breeds are more suited to small game, while other excelled at both. Picking the best hunting dog breeds is as much about needs as it is personal preference.

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Hunting Instincts in GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTERS

German Shorthaired Pointers are prized hunting dogs, known for their intelligence and hard-working nature. But apart from that, they are also known for being friendly, outgoing, loyal, and dependable dogs.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

German Shorthaired Pointers were originally bred from English Foxhounds, English Pointers, and Old Spanish Pointers. Physically, these dog breeds are often muscular and tight-skinned. German Pointers have lean necks and strong backs. These dogs have easily manageable short coats that come in various shades of white and brown.

All these physical attributes help German Pointers be the incredibly efficient hunting dogs that they are. Specifically speaking, you can rely on these top-of-the-line hunting dogs to point, retrieve, and track whether it be on land or water. Their keen sensitivity is characterized by their incredible sense of smell. And due to their intelligence, learning new tricks or challenging commands is never a problem. In fact they welcome such challenges as part of their natural willingness to please.

However, don't let this dog's agility deceive you, they are incredibly outgoing and affectionate as well. As people-oriented dogs, they thrive on companionship. They love being around people and are safe to have around children. Essentially, Shorthaired Pointers make ideal companions for casual sportsmen who want family-oriented dogs as well.

Having the ability to be as domesticated as they are, German Pointers still require a lot of exercise. They need constant stimulation to stay physically and mentally fit. They usually prefer large back yards to keep themselves occupied. This is one of the reasons that German Pointers may not be the best apartment dogs. However, these dogs can also be trained to adapt to such living conditions. Just make sure to take them out for long walks. Keep in mind that, these high-energy dogs make perfect jogging and running companions. Don't forget your dog leash though, as the hunting instincts of these dog breed are still very strong.

Other things to look out for are common canine health issues such as hip dysplasia and excessive weight gain. German Shorthaired Pointers have big appetites. To ensure that they stay within the healthy weight range, once again, make sure they get all the exercise that they need. But other than this, prepare to be amazed. German pointers are the embodiment of elegance, intelligence, and power.

By Lea Mullins Lea Mullins discusses about hunting instincts in German Shorthaired Pointers. Find information about different dog breeds from TrainPetDog.com. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Choosing the Best POINTER DOG For Your Hunting

English Setter (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pointing Dogs are some of the best for hunting birds. However, many people will want to know what type of pointer will make the best dog for their hunting. We think it is best to start this analysis by considering your terrain. In the US, much of the terrain lends itself to medium ranging dogs. The best dogs that will fit into this criteria will be those that are not the fastest dogs around but are still full of eagerness to hunt and stamina. 

Their ability to work a little closer to the hunter works well here especially when hunting pheasant. Of all the pointing dogs available, one of the best choices for this type of work is the English Setter. It offers a strong dog that is fast enough to get the job done. In addition, it has a good coat that will allow it to work well in the northern climates.

However, another alternative to the English Setter is the Brittany Spaniel. This dog can work very well despite it slightly smaller size and may be a better fit with a slower hunter.

If you are hunting in heavy cover areas like that are common in the Northeast, you will be wanting a dog with a closer range. This will make the dog less likely to get lost in this terrain. Of course, you can offset this by opting for radio tracking or GPS collar, but there is still an added risk in tough thicket of the collar getting knocked off. For this type of hunting, all of the pointers and spaniels can work fairly well. Some suggest that a thicker coat might be needed for colder environments, but the benefit gained from this might be offset by the increased problem of picking up burrs, and other junk while hunting.

By keeping the consideration of the terrain in mind, you should be in good shape with choosing a solid dog breed. Pointing dogs have become a popular hunting dog in America and are very effective bird dogs regardless of the type chosen.

By Mike J. Browndike After you have decided on your breed, you will also want to make sure you have a solid Dog Tracking System.  Article Source: EzineArticles

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