Pointer — breed guide
Pointer — temperament, grooming, exercise, heat tolerance and care, from the Leash Life breed guide.
At a glance
- Group
- sporting
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 20–34 kg (44–75 lb)
- Life span
- 12–17 years
- Coat
- Short, dense and smooth
Living with a Pointer
- Very high energy — built for work and long days out.
- Almost no grooming.
- Moderate shedding.
- Quick to learn.
- Quiet.
- Good with children.
- Gets along with other dogs.
- Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
- Not well suited to a flat — space, exercise need or voice works against it.
- Better with previous experience behind you.
- Handles warm weather well.
- Average cold tolerance.
Temperament
Driven · Even-tempered · Athletic · Kind
Health to watch
- Hip dysplasia
- Entropion
- Skin allergies
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Questions people ask
Is a Pointer good with kids?
Generally yes. Pointers are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Pointer good with cats?
It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.
How much exercise does a Pointer need?
Hours — this breed needs a job or a long day out.
Can a Pointer handle hot weather?
It copes well with warm days.
Leash Life keeps a Pointer's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.