The English Pointer is a sturdy, high energy, loveable dog. There are two variants of Pointers, The English and the German Pointer. The difference between the two exists in their appearance and their hunting purposes. Let’s dig into the English Pointer and learn more about this ancient breed.


🌍 Origin: Born to Point, Bred in England.
As their name may give away, the English Pointer was bred in England with the first of the breed being recorded in the mid 1600's.  A number of breeds were mixed together to create the English Pointer we know today, including the Foxhound, Greyhound, Newfoundland, Bulldog, Setter, Italian Pointer and Bloodhound. 
Their name is drawn from the stance the dog takes when they spot something that gains their attention, with them appearing to point in the direction of the spot. 

🎯 Purpose: Pointing in the Right Direction.
The Pointer became a popular breed among hunters in the early 1700's. Their incredible ability to track a scent paired with their natural drive to point their humans in the right direction, made them the ideal hunting mate. They are able to track a scent and cover a lot of area in a very fast amount of time however are by no means a dog that will collect and return a kill or be willing to enter any water. Their advantage over other hunting dogs is their pointing skills and ability to flush out birds. 

✂️ Coat Care: Easy and Smooth. 
Grooming a Pointer is easy. They require brushing as needed to remove shedding fur and can be bathed only occasionally. Their sleek, smooth coat does not mat or tangle and repels dirt and doors effectively. They are average shedders.
 
👀 Appearance : Build to point and Cuddle! The English Pointer is a solid dog, with a long neck, deep muzzle, and rounded head. On average, males grow up to 62 cm and can weigh up to 30 kg, while females grow up to 60 cm.
Accepted coat colors for the breed include primarily white with:

• Liver
• Lemon
• Black
• Orange markings

These markings can be speckled, patched, or solid in colour. They can also be tri-coloured.

❤️ Temperament: Energetic, Loyal & Loving
The English Pointer is a high-energy, active, and happy dog. Hunting runs in their blood, so supervision with smaller animals is always advised. They are loyal companions to their families and can be reserved with strangers. Although not ideal guard dogs, they will bark at unknown people or noises.
They require plenty of exercise—at least two long walks daily, ideally with off-leash runs if safe. Without sufficient exercise and stimulation, they may become destructive and anxious. Socializing them from a young age helps ensure they enjoy the company of other dogs as adults. The pointing stance often begins around 8 weeks of age and continues throughout their life when they are focused.
If given enough daily exercise, they can adapt to apartment living, though they prefer a large yard to romp around in.

🩺Health: Long Life
In general, the Pointer is a healthy breed. They can be prone to thyroid issues and hip dysplasia, and cases of dwarfism have been recorded. Their deep chest places them at higher risk for bloat, so precautions should be taken around mealtimes and exercise. Their average lifespan is 13–14 years.

Does your life include a beautiful Pointer in it? 
​We would love to see them and know what makes them amazing! Be sure to share them with us on our Facebook page here! 
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• ASDOG puppies and accredited assistance dogs enjoy pats and attention, but please ask permission before touching a dog. Your attention may be a distraction and prevent the dog from listening and/or tending to its handler.​
• Please do not use commands, call, whistle, or otherwise try to distract a working dog. Puppy raisers and recipients have been trained in the most effective ways to control their dog’s behaviour, and additional commands are confusing for the dog. Please only provide assistance if requested.
• Please do not feed the dog. All dogs are on a feeding schedule and may even be on a special diet. Food is the ultimate distraction to a working dog and can jeopardise the working assistance dog team.
• Speak to the person, not the assistance dog! Most handlers do not mind talking about their puppy or assistance dog if they have the time. 
  
  

Please don’t be offended if the assistance dog partner or puppy raiser does not have time to stop and chat to you. Whilst we welcome enquiries and comments from the public, we do all lead busy lives, and we guarantee you are not the first person today who wants to ask questions or compliment the dog!
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• Don’t be afraid of the dog. Assistance dogs from organisations like Australian Support Dogs, Inc., and other members of Assistance Dogs International, are carefully tested for sound temperament and have been professionally trained to a high standard.

Watching your dog suffer a seizure is a deeply distressing and confronting experience, one that no dog owner ever wants to face. Unfortunately, for some of us, it’s a situation we may encounter, either as a one-off event or recurring due to an underlying health issue. It’s important that, as dog owners, we are prepared for this possibility and know how to help our dogs through it as safely and calmly as possible.

So—do you know what to do if your dog has a seizure?

We know—it’s easier said than done. But your calmness will help you respond in the best way possible. When your dog comes out of the seizure, your calm energy will be reassuring. Remember, dogs feed off our emotions.

​During a seizure, your dog may move uncontrollably. Make sure there’s nothing around them they could hit their head on, and ensure they’re away from stairs or ledges. If you need to move them, use a blanket or towel to gently slide them to a safe space. Never try to restrain or pick up your dog unless they are in immediate danger. Also, never put your hands near your dog’s mouth during a seizure, as they may bite involuntarily.

​Take note of when the seizure starts. Once your dog is safe, try to record a video of the seizure (if this is out of the ordinary for your dog to suffer a seizure.) This footage can be incredibly helpful for your vet in diagnosing the cause and determining appropriate treatment. Also, track when the seizure ends so you can inform your vet of its duration. If multiple seizures occur, continue noting the times and symptoms between each one.

When the seizure finishes, your dog may be disoriented and unable to stand. They may also have urinated or defecated during the seizure. Sit with them and give them lots of cuddles and reassurance. 
Check for signs of overheating—seizures lasting more than a few minutes can cause a rise in body temperature. If you don’t have a thermometer, feel inside your dog’s ears or groin area. If these areas feel much warmer than normal, your dog may be overheating. Use a fan to gently blow cool air over them, or place a damp, cool cloth on their paw pads.
Once your dog is stable and able to stand, offer them some water and gently clean them up.

As soon as your dog is safe and the seizure has ended, contact your vet. Share all the information you've recorded and book an appointment for an examination as soon as possible.
If your dog has multiple seizures in a short period or a single seizure lasts longer than five minutes, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. If it’s after hours, find the nearest 24-hour veterinary clinic and get your dog there as soon as possible.