Pointer

(Breed Standard)

Partha Sekhar Chatterjee

International All Breeds Dog Show Judge

General Appearance 

The Pointer is a symmetrical and well built all over. In general a series of graceful curves.  A strong but lissome appearance.

Characteristics

They are aristocratic, alert with appearance of strength, endurance and speed.

Temperament

They are of a kind and even disposition.

Head and Skull

 The head and skull are of medium breadth, in proposition to the length of foreface. The stop is well defined with pronounced occipital bone. The nose and eye rims are dark, but may be lighter in the case of a lemon and white coloured dog. The nostrils are wide, soft and moist. The muzzle is some what concave, ending on level with the nostrils, a giving a slightly dish-faced apperrence.There is a slight depression under the eyes. The check bones are not prominent but with well developed soft lip.

Eyes

The eyes are at the same distance from occiput as from nostrils, bright and kindly in expression. They are either hazel or brown according to colour of coat. They are neither bold nor staring and do not look down the nose.

Ears 

 The ears are leather thin, set on fairly high, lying close to the head, of medium length and slightly pointed at the tips.

Mouth 

The mouth has strong jaws with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck 

The neck is long, muscular, slightly arched, springing cleanly from the shoulders and free from throatiness. 

Forequarters 

The shoulders are long, sloping and well-laid back. The chest is just wide enough for plenty of heart room. The brisket is well let down and level with the elbows. The forelegs are straight and firm, with good oval bone, and the back sinews strong and visible. The knee joint is flat with the front leg lengthy, strong and resilient with slight sloping.

Body 

The well sprung ribs are carried well back gradually falling away at the strong muscular and slightly arched loins. The haunch bones are well spaced and prominent, not above the level of the back.

Hindquarters 

The hindquarters are very muscular with well turned stifles. There is a good expanse of the first and second thigh. The hocks well let down. The feet are oval, well knit with arched toes and well cushioned. 

Tail 

The tail is of medium length, thick at root and tapers gradually to a point. It is well covered with close hair, carried on a level with the back, with know upward curl. In movement the tail should lash from side to side.

Gait

The gait / movement is smooth, covering plenty of ground. Has a driving hind action, with the elbows neither in nor out. Definitely not a hackney action.

Coat 

The coat is fine, short, hard and evenly distributed, perfectly smooth and straight with decided sheen.

Colour

The usual colours are lemon and white, orange and white, black and white. Self colours and tri-colours are also correct.

Size

The desirable heights at withers are dogs 63-69 cms (25 – 27 ins); bitches 61-66 cms

(24 – 26 ins). 

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. 

Note: The males should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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