Pointers - only for the extremely energetic?

[bouncealeen]

my DH met some pointers the other day and has come home very enthusiastic - we have been considering a dog for some time, and currently asking everyone we see about their dogs! - reading up about them, they sound like they can need a lot of exercise? We do want a lively active dog, we live in the country and we do get out a lot, but I worry a bit about things changing in some unforeseen way and not being able to meet those needs. I suppose we would get dog walkers in... but just would like to hear from anyone with pointer experience!

They need a minimum of an hours walking a day but after that they will slob about for hours.
A large garden is great for a bit of self exercise in between walks.
Wonderful breed. Loving , cuddly , goofy.
Look on www.pointersinneed.com for pointers in need of loving homes.

Need a lot of exercise to be kept fit and it’s not kind to get a high energy dog and then only provide the minimum. And remember it’s a commitment come rain, snow or shine and no lie ins until it’s properly house trained!
Walkers are expensive - £10 a time say and several times a week? That would really add up.

They need a lot of exercise - not just walks but mental stimulation too. I've never met a calm pointer under the age of about five or six I'm afraid.

They're also prone to being quite whiny and clingy, plus they really do smell (sorry!).

They do need exercising well every day, but are amazing dogs. I would say that mine never did well when left on his own, only left for 4-5 hours max and could never leave at a kennels when we went away so that’s something to bear in mind. We used doggy daycare if we were both going to be out of the house at work one day.
On the positive side, he was super intelligent, wonderful company, gentle with our small children and was happiest sitting on our laps having a cuddle.
Sadly we recently lost him, but I can honestly say I’d have another in a heart beat.

Ours was the best family dog ever and I couldn’t imagine having a different breed now. They need lots of exercise, are extremely loyal affectionate and sociable dogs and brilliant with children. The hole they leave when they’re gone is huge empty and very definitely pointer shaped

We have a 10 month Pointer (English variety). First dog for us, but were recommended this breed by a friend! Yes they do need lots of exercise, but I wouldn’t say we are extremely energetic - just enjoy long walks! She needs a good hour walk, mainly off lead every day, plus one or two shorter walks. They do need mental stimulation too, so lots of enrichment toys and we do some training every day. She will spend a large chunk of the day curled up though. Toilet training was easy,they are very intelligent. She happily sleeps in her crate at night, asking to go in. Very snuggly, loving, gorgeous dogs and yes, very goofy too I’m not sure about the smelly aspect though? Ours certainly doesn’t smell!! The puppy months are hard work, but you will end up with a gorgeous family dog - we are smitten.

We've had 3 English pointers and they are lovely dogs. Completely disagree with some of the comments up thread. They are not overly energetic (especially compared to the whippet we have now) but of course enjoy a good walk like any dog. They are wonderfully gentle, especially with children. Ours have all been very sociable with other dogs and not at all smelly (except their breath when they get old - again like any dog). But they are quite big dogs so you need to have space for them and a decent size dog bed and car boot. If you are happy with the size then I couldn't recommend them more as a family pet.

I have 2 German Pointers. They are far from mental and get 45mins/1hr Walk mainly. Sometimes more but if disaster happens and they get no walk at all they are still fine and are couch potatoes

They love to use their brain. Both train and compete in agility which they love

Mine were not mad as youngsters either. My youngest is just 4 and been steady and calm for years

Main tip is to research your lines in GSPs. The imports from Germany are a different kettle of fish. Much more hunty and hard core. British lines are calmer and easier to train and be family dogs

Fantastic dogs, yes they need a lot of exercise but they are generally very nicely natured , never had any issues with other dogs/cats/people children or livestock.
Mine was a rescue and not bred here. If I could work out his lines I would get another in heart beat. The UK bred ones I have come across seem a little 'overbred' , they appear to be smaller and a bit neurotic.

If you like that sort of dog OP, I have never met an aggressive Italian Spinone

Praying that's interesting about the German and UK lines.

@frumpety yeah the difference is quite marked. Seeing it too with all the foreign rescues coming over, they are all together another different "type". They are lighter weight and again more hunty that the UK lines

I have a friend from the states and she has had gsps. Loved the Uk type so much more that the US type she bought one and took it back with her lol

To look at the German lines and uk lines gsps are very Similar. It's the brains that are different. It's put down to the different type of terrain that they are used to work over in Germany compared to the UK. We work dogs much closer over here

The only thing to add to the above, is to be aware of separation anxiety. My gsp had it terribly (as in she hurled herself through a closed window to get out and try to find us, chewed through plaster, and howled if she was alone, even just for 10 minutes). Ive known a few like this

Yes they are sensitive. When I had just the one gsp he had to be crate trained as he was so unhappy out a crate when left and had to be left regularly as if there was a massive gap he'd be upset again

Got my 2nd gsp when oldest was 5. Best thing I ever did on so many levels. But within weeks my oldest was out the crate and totally chilled to be be left.... at home or anywhere we stayed. They are best mates.

Will never go back to 1 dog again 😁

Mine was a terrible bin thief, drank out of the toilet, pinched food off work surfaces and hid it behind cushions on the sofa for later or would bury it to marinate it and bring it back in when you weren't looking ,could find fox poo within seconds of being let off the lead, every car I owned whilst we had him had a hint of fox poo about it. God I miss the big old dope

Did your husband meet Pointers ( English) or GSP’s bouncaleen ?
Different in looks and loopiness 😂

praying also I think I am right in saying that the Germans won't register the puppies as GSPs unless the parents are proven workers. Some UK breeders put no focus on work at all.

I do remember reading something that Germans have a different procedure to us.... can't remember what it is though. But then they have the same with horses! One of the most successful dressage horses in the world was gelded because he didn't pass the stallion grading process! Lol

I've done a lot of research into lines of gsps over the years and noted traits in the dogs. The German ones are definitely more hard core. My thoughts are definitely echoed in the uk gsp circuit. German gsps are lovely dogs, just not as easy going as English gsps.

In the uk most of the emphasis on what should be bred from comes from kc reg, lines and health tests.

I don't think gsps are a popular breed amongst the uk working dog community anyway from the feedback I've heard. They all just want spaniels and labs 🤷‍♀️

Have a look at Rehoming Cyprus Pointers on FB as well.

We are on our second pointer cross. The first was from the U.K. and crossed with a lab (by mistake). The second is from Cyprus and crossed with some random hound.

I have looked after two other young male pure pointers and frankly, they were nuts! I was after a pure pointer until I met them

www.rehomingcypruspointers.co.uk/current-pointers/

If you'd consider a rescue the uk breed rescues always have dogs available too.....