The good, the bad and the ugly...

It's always a good idea to know what you are getting into when a new puppy joins your family.

Pointers are one of the better kept secrets among family dogs. They have few faults, as a breed, and generally adapt well to nearly any lifestyle that permits them a lot of time with their families.

The Good:

• They are good watchdogs, altho not much in the way of GUARD dogs
• They are not destructive if given enough activities
• Pointers are great at a lot of doggy activities: Showing, hunting, obedience, agility, therapy, some even work as service or Search and Rescue dogs
• They don't shed as much as other popular sporting breeds such as Labrador & Golden retrievers
• Pointers are good with children
• Pointers are a relatively healthy breed
• Pointers are long-lived - average lifespan is over 12, and many live over 15 years
• They are extremely athletic
• They are intelligent and easy to train
• Pointers get along well with other dogs and other breeds
• They are extremely clean housedogs (easy to housebreak!)
• They are exceptionally good at reading your mood and sympathetic when you need it
• They can be trained to be obedience off-lead

They do have some faults, sad to admit:

• They prefer a good amount of exercise
• Pointers require a bit more effort to be kept in apartments or small yards
• Pointers LOVE to dig
• Many pointers prefer their stuffed toys in pieces
• They can eat a lot for their size, sometimes twice what other similar sporting breeds might consume
• They can take themselves and you very seriously - they read your mood very well
• They have a lot of drive to run and hunt and need to be trained in obedience to channel this energy (some basic obedience is the key here!)

Pointers make exceptional family dogs. What is required is some basic obedience training, a bit of patience, an understanding of their exercise needs, and lots of love (this part is easy!). One of the best things about pointers is they are happy to be with whoever is home - mom, dad, kids or other relatives - they are not picky. They are great bed dogs and make wonderful companions. Pointers prefer to participate in ALL family activities. They like hiking, camping, hunting, going for car rides, visiting relatives, watching TV, gardening (watch it with this one!), and are especially good at supervising the cooking of meals. The more you do with your pointer, the more you include him in your life, the better your relationship will be. Soon you will have no idea how you ever lived without them.