English Pointer Breed Guide
Quick Summary
The English Pointer is a peerless athletic gundog known for its aristocratic bearing, intense work ethic in the field, and gentle, even-tempered disposition at home. They are best suited for highly active owners, runners, or hunters who can satisfy their intense daily exercise needs of at least two hours. In my clinical practice, I find that a well-exercised Pointer is an incredibly sweet, calm housemate, whereas a sedentary one can quickly develop severe anxiety and destructive behaviors.
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Quick Facts
- origin countryEngland
- breed groupSporting
- sizeLarge
- weight range45-75 pounds
- height range23-28 inches
- lifespan12-17 years
- coat typeShort, dense, smooth, and glossy
- common colorsWhite with liver, lemon, orange, or black markings; can also be solid colors
- other namesPointer
- recognized byAKC, UKC, ANKC, KC, FCI
Caring for a English Pointer
Living with an English Pointer is a commitment to an active, outdoorsy lifestyle. I always tell my clients that you cannot ‘skip’ exercise days with this breed; they require at least one to two hours of hard, off-leash running or structured mental work daily to remain balanced. Indoors, they are surprisingly clean and mellow, often acting like giant lapdogs who want nothing more than to curl up on your softest sofa. However, because of their deep-chested conformation, owners must be hyper-vigilant about feeding schedules and exercise timing to prevent life-threatening bloat.
Is a English Pointer a good family pet?
Yes, they make exceptional family pets for active households. They are remarkably patient and affectionate with children, though their enthusiastic play style can accidentally knock over toddlers. In my experience, they thrive when they are fully integrated into daily family outdoor adventures.
Do English Pointers shed a lot?
They are moderate, year-round shedders, but because their coat is short and single-layered, the hair is easy to manage. A weekly brushing with a rubber grooming mitt is usually all it takes to keep shedding under control in your home.
Is a English Pointer good for first-time owners?
Generally, I do not recommend them for novice owners unless the owner is an avid runner or outdoor enthusiast committed to training. Their high energy, strong hunting drive, and sensitive nature require a handler who understands positive reinforcement and consistent boundary setting.
Temperament & Personality
The English Pointer possesses a beautiful, dual-natured temperament: they are fiercely focused and tirelessly energetic in the field, yet incredibly gentle, affectionate, and sensitive at home. They are highly social dogs that bond deeply with their human pack and do not do well when left isolated in a backyard. In my clinic, I often observe their sensitive side—they can easily shut down if spoken to harshly, requiring a gentle, patient hand during handling and medical exams.
Is a English Pointer good with other pets?
They typically get along wonderfully with other dogs and can live harmoniously with cats if raised with them from puppyhood. However, their incredibly strong, hardwired prey drive means they should never be trusted unsupervised around small animals like rabbits, birds, or hamsters.
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How much attention does a English Pointer need?
They require a significant amount of daily human interaction. This is not a breed that can be left alone for 8 to 10 hours a day; they are prone to severe separation anxiety and thrive best when they are an active part of your daily routine.
Training & Behavior
Training an English Pointer is a highly rewarding endeavor because of their keen intelligence and desire to please, but it requires a soft, consistent approach. They possess a natural, deeply ingrained pointing instinct that you will see manifest as early as 8 weeks of age. Because they are bred to hunt independently at a distance, recall training must be prioritized and reinforced from day one, using positive, reward-based methods.
Training Tips
- Use positive reinforcement only; harsh corrections will cause them to shut down completely.
- Start recall (come) training in a fenced area from puppyhood with high-value rewards.
- Incorporate their natural pointing and searching instincts into training games to keep them engaged.
- Keep training sessions short, fast-paced, and fun to prevent boredom.
- Socialize heavily during the first 16 weeks to prevent timidity around strangers and new environments.
Fun Activities
- Field trials and hunt tests
- Agility training
- Canicross or skijoring
- Scent work and tracking
- Dock diving
Is a English Pointer easy to train?
Yes, but they require patience. They are highly intelligent and learn commands quickly, but their independent hunting nature means they can easily get distracted by scents, requiring creative and engaging training methods rather than repetitive, boring drills.
English Pointer Health Issues
As a veterinarian, I consider the English Pointer to be a remarkably robust and athletic breed with a long lifespan for their size. However, their high-intensity lifestyle makes them prone to specific orthopedic injuries, and like all deep-chested breeds, they are genetically predisposed to several heritable conditions that owners must be aware of.
Hip Dysplasia
A heritable orthopedic condition where the head of the femur does not fit snugly into the pelvic socket, leading to progressive osteoarthritis. In my practice, I recommend pelvic radiographs and screening (via OFA or PennHIP) for all breeding pairs to minimize risk.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV / Bloat)
A life-threatening medical emergency where the deep chest allows the stomach to fill with gas and twist on its axis, cutting off blood supply. This requires immediate, emergency surgical intervention to untwist the stomach and tack it in place.
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Hypothyroidism
An autoimmune condition where the thyroid gland is slowly destroyed, resulting in inadequate production of thyroid hormone. It is highly manageable with inexpensive, lifelong daily oral hormone replacement therapy.
Sensory Neuropathy
A rare, severe genetic neurological disease unique to Pointers that causes progressive degeneration of sensory nerve cells, leading to a loss of pain sensation in the extremities.
Entropion and Ectropion
Eyelid abnormalities where the eyelid either rolls inward (entropion), causing the eyelashes to rub against the cornea, or sags outward (ectropion), exposing the eye to environmental debris and chronic conjunctivitis.
How long do English Pointers typically live?
With proper nutrition, regular veterinary care, and genetic screening, English Pointers can live an impressive 12 to 17 years, which is remarkably long for a large, athletic breed.
What to Feed a English Pointer
Feeding an English Pointer requires careful attention to their high metabolism and active lifestyle. Because they are built for sustained endurance, their caloric needs will shift dramatically depending on whether they are active hunting companions or family pets with moderate exercise routines.
Best Diet
I highly recommend feeding a premium, large-breed adult formula rich in high-quality animal proteins and healthy fats to support their lean muscle mass and joints. For working or highly active dogs, a specialized ‘sporting’ or ‘performance’ diet may be necessary under veterinary guidance.
How to Feed
To drastically reduce the risk of life-threatening bloat, always divide their daily food into at least two equal meals. Absolutely avoid vigorous exercise, running, or heavy training for one hour before and two hours after eating.
How Much to Feed
Generally, adult Pointers require 2.5 to 4 cups of high-quality kibble daily, but this varies widely. Always consult your veterinarian to calculate your specific dog’s daily caloric requirement based on their body condition score rather than relying on bag guidelines.
Nutritional Tips
Incorporating joint support supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids early in life is highly beneficial for these athletic dogs. Always ensure they have access to clean, fresh water, but limit gulps of water immediately after heavy runs.
English Pointer Grooming Guide
The grooming requirements for an English Pointer are blissfully minimal, which is a major selling point for busy families. Their short, single-layered coat naturally repels dirt, making them low-maintenance companions.
Coat Care
Brush their coat once a week with a rubber curry brush or grooming mitt to remove loose hairs and distribute natural skin oils. They only require a bath every 6 to 8 weeks, or when they decide to roll in something unsavory during a hike.
Skin Care
After field trips, always inspect their belly and legs for briars, ticks, scratches, or burrs that could lead to localized skin infections.
Eye Care
Check their eyes weekly for redness or discharge, especially if they have been running through dense brush or tall grasses.
Ear Care
Because they have drop ears that trap moisture, check them weekly for redness, debris, or a sweet, yeasty odor. Clean them with a veterinarian-approved ear cleaner and dry them thoroughly after swimming.
Nail & Dental Care
Trim their nails every 3 to 4 weeks using a grinder or clippers to prevent splaying of the paws, and brush their teeth at least three times a week with dog-safe enzymatic toothpaste.
Considerations for Pet Parents
Pros
- Incredibly gentle, sweet, and affectionate household companions.
- Highly intelligent and eager to please when trained with positive reinforcement.
- Outstanding, robust health and an exceptionally long lifespan for a large breed.
- Very low-maintenance grooming routine with minimal shedding.
- Fabulous, tireless partners for runners, hikers, and outdoor athletes.
Cons
- Extremely high energy demands that cannot be ignored or bypassed.
- Strong, hardwired prey drive that makes off-leash control difficult in open areas.
- Prone to separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods.
- Sensitive temperament that does not tolerate loud, chaotic, or harsh environments.
Best For
Active families, runners, hikers, or hunters who spend significant time outdoors and want an affectionate, athletic companion to integrate fully into their active daily lives.
Not Recommended For
Sedentary owners, apartment dwellers without access to large fenced spaces, or those who work long hours away from home and cannot provide the necessary mental and physical outlets.
Cost
- purchase price$1,000 – $2,500
- monthly cost$150 – $250
- initial setupInitial setup including high-quality crates, veterinary checkups, high-value training gear, and vaccinations usually runs between $1,500 and $2,500.
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English Pointer FAQs
Can English Pointers live in apartments?
Generally, no. While they are quiet and calm indoors when fully exercised, their immense need for explosive daily running and physical outlets makes apartment living highly challenging unless you are fully committed to hours of daily outdoor trips.
Do they bark a lot?
No, English Pointers are not known to be excessive barkers. They will alert you to someone at the door, but they are generally quiet and peaceful companions inside the house.
Are they prone to separation anxiety?
Yes, they are highly social ‘velcro’ dogs that bond intensely with their families. If left alone for long periods without adequate exercise or mental stimulation, they can develop severe destructive habits, like chewing furniture or digging.
How do English Pointers tolerate cold weather?
Because of their short, single coat and low body fat, they do not tolerate extreme cold well. In winter, I recommend equipping them with a durable dog fleece or coat for outdoor walks, and they should never be left outside to live in cold climates.
How do they handle hot weather?
Their sleek, short coat and long muzzles allow them to dissipate heat better than many breeds. However, as with any athletic dog, they can still overheat during intense summer runs, so always exercise them during the cooler early morning hours and carry plenty of water.
Do they like to swim?
Many English Pointers love the water and are excellent swimmers, but it varies by individual. If you plan to take your Pointer swimming, introduce them to water gradually and always dry their floppy ears thoroughly afterward to prevent infections.
What is the difference between an English Pointer and a German Shorthaired Pointer?
While similar, English Pointers are generally slightly more sensitive, independent, and intensely focused on birds/field work. German Shorthaired Pointers (GSPs) are often considered more versatile, all-around utility dogs, and tend to have slightly heavier coats and docked tails.
Are English Pointer tails docked?
No, unlike many other sporting and pointing breeds, the English Pointer’s tail is naturally kept long and tapering. It is a signature feature of the breed, described as a ‘bee-sting’ tail that they hold straight and proud when pointing.
At what age do they calm down?
English Pointers retain their puppy-like energy and exuberance until they reach physical and mental maturity, which is typically around 2 to 3 years of age. Even as seniors, they remain active, athletic dogs.
Are they easy to housebreak?
Yes, they are generally clean dogs and housebreak relatively quickly when a consistent crate-training routine and positive reinforcement schedule are implemented from day one.
How can I prevent bloat in my English Pointer?
To minimize the risk of GDV, feed at least two smaller meals a day instead of one large one, use slow-feed bowls if they gulp their food, avoid using raised feeders unless medically advised, and strictly prohibit strenuous exercise for one hour before and two hours after meals.
Are they hypoallergenic?
No, English Pointers are not hypoallergenic. They produce dander and shed short, stiff hairs that can trigger allergies in sensitive individuals.
Why does my Pointer point at everything?
Pointing is a highly instinctual, genetically hardwired hunting behavior where the dog freezes and points its nose toward prey. Even non-hunting English Pointers will naturally point at birds, butterflies, or toys in the backyard from a very young age.
Are they prone to ear infections?
Yes, their floppy, pendant ears trap moisture, dirt, and yeast easily. I recommend inspecting and cleaning their ears weekly with a veterinarian-approved drying cleanser, especially after swimming or running through wet fields.
Sources & Further Reading
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- Merck Veterinary Manual
- PetMD