Is it pointless to have a Pointer?

It all started innocently enough and started with a parade in a small house with a huge garden.

The man was fully employed and often away on business with the rest of the family often at home alone in the house with a lovely big garden. The desire for a companion was getting stronger!

The thoughts about which type of dog should it be and would that dog come from began. As the family already had a lovely Cyprus dog, it should of course be another one.

And so Martha was coming a short time later.  Martha was born in 2011.  She is a white and black Pointer bitch who was found half-starved in Cyprus. She was only a shadow, but would recover in a foster home there. Martha is just loving, very gentle and would not hurt a fly.

As the plane landed with Martha, the family had no idea that in a few minutes they would fall in love with Pointer number two.

Gretel came, saw and conquered. 

Gretel was found alone with her brother and left in a completely secluded field in Cyprus. Gretel was only a few weeks old and had very lucky to have been found there.

 

Pointers are special dogs. Here is a small description of the pointer breed:

The pointer is one of the English pointing dogs that over the centuries were crossed with the blood of Foxhound, of French hounds and, to bring even more speed, the Greyhound. Due to the Greyhound influence, there is now black in the pointer. The heritage of the Greyhound can still be recognised in the stature of the pointer.

The dog measures about 50 cm, the male reaches a size of about 55-60 cm. As is often the case, there are differences up and down. The hair is short, firm and perfectly smooth, with a distinct shine. The colours are white, orange, white and liver-coloured, white and black, white and lemon coloured, but also solid colours and tri-colours.

The pointer is described as eager to learn, always motivated and balanced. They are gentle, sensitive dogs.

The pointer works in a “transverse” manner, and this is how it identifies the ‘game’ (eg partridges or pheasants). He runs up front of the hunter, where he roams the grounds in wide loops to take into account the weather. Using high speed, he holds his head hanging in the wind, because this is how he can bring his sense of smell to it’s full advantage. Once the dog has picked up the scent with its excellent sense of smell, he stands stock still: the muscles tense, rigid and trembling slightly under great tension. The pointer’s nose is extremely sensitive. Whilst running at full speed he can catch the scent of partridges or pheasants that may be 50 meters away.

Intense heat and effort to make don’t worry a pointer much, but water is not necessarily his element, though he still does his job well here. Pointers behave differently from other hunting dogs when they see a prey animal – he does not hunt, he ‘shows’!

When the hunting season in Cyprus is over, the pointers that are no longer felt good enough for hunting (because they may be afraid of the noise of the bullets, too old or perhaps injured) are left in the hunting area or sent to places to be killed. Unfortunately, frequently dogs are also shot, beaten, set on fire, poisoned or even hanged. Hunger often drives them back into the villages and towns if they are still alive but have been dumped or abandoned. Many eat something that has been poisoned or they get run over. The few pointers that are considered by the hunters to be good enough, eke out a miserable life often in pens or on chains. Quite often too they only get enough much to eat and drink so that they survive without starving. Many hunters are on the island have the mistaken belief that hunting dogs hunt better when they are hungry and suffering!

Although these wonderful dogs have often had very little human contact, they learn fairly quickly how to trust humans and just love every little bit of attention they receive. However, pointers do require a lot of patience, time and empathy. Many have had such a terrible experience, left hungry, were abused and some were even “broken”.

Pointers are and remain hounds, even if they are not good for hunting. So of course you always have to expect a minimum level of hunting instinct to be present.

 

To come back to Martha and Gretel, both are completely uncomplicated, easy,loving and affectionate dogs. They get along with everyone and everything, even with cats. When you meet them both you are instantly impressed.

It’s fascinating how quickly these dogs learn.  Within a short time all common current commands are learned. Martha and Gretel like to be in the car, and you can easily leave them alone, without them turning the car upside down.

A few weeks ago Martha and Gretel should received another buddy. Also a beautiful Pointer bitch. Our Lea went up to them and instantly was accepted.

Also Lea has quickly crept into everyone’s heart and it is questionable whether this love, uncomplicated and funny bitch will actually leave the foster home.

It brings tears to the eyes, to see the three together. Since pointers are very sensitive and delicate, they usually are very careful when interacting with their other ‘family’ members.  Whether this is a another dog or a child, you can observe this in all aspects of them playing together.

 

 

 

With enough capacity to run forever, exercising alongside their families who are perhaps biking or running, would be excellent fun and exercise for all. Of course among their needs are also sleeping, lying in the sun and lots of cuddles.

These gentle, loving dogs sneak up in your heart with their irresistible charm. 

Forever…

                 …You only ever have to give them one chance and they will love you forever.

 

We would therefore be very happy if a lot more pointers could get the chance to show what  great, delicate, gentle and sensitive family dogs they can be.