Discover Everything About English Pointer
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
English Pointer overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
The English Pointer is a very robust working dog, with the breed association strictly monitoring and effectively minimizing hip dysplasia (HD) through mandatory health tests. Buyers should also occasionally look out for elbow dysplasia (ED), although the breed is largely spared from the severe hereditary diseases that affect other large breeds. If you ensure the parents have healthy joints, you will find this breed to be a genetically very fit companion.
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Height
61–69 cm
Weight
20–36 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,200 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Short, smooth, without undercoat
- Origin: Great Britain
Typical coat colors
- White with lemon
- orange
- liver or black markings
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a English Pointer, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the English Pointer right for you?
The English Pointer is a sensitive, extremely athletic Vorstehhund (pointing dog) — bred to track down game birds at lightning speed in vast terrain and indicate them by standing perfectly still. A high-performance athlete that is gentle at home and pure adrenaline outdoors.
Perfect for you if:
- You are looking for a companion for dog-powered sports, canicross, or hours of active trekking — simple walks are never enough for this long-legged breed.
- You lead with gentle consistency and patience, because despite his enormous hunting energy, he is extremely sensitive and will shut down under pressure.
- You live in a more rural area with access to wide, safe, open spaces where he can fully utilize his massive search radius.
- You enjoy challenging dummy training or tracking work to channel his instinctive focus into cooperative tasks.
Less ideal if:
- You expect a dog that strolls relaxed by your side within a five-meter radius during walks — he was bred to gallop and search the terrain over a wide area.
- You live in the middle of a big city without daily access to real, safe natural areas.
- You get annoyed easily when your dog freezes in place like a statue at the slightest scent of game instead of happily running to you immediately when called.
The real vibes check
An English Pointer is like a Formula 1 car: on the track, he needs maximum concentration, space, and speed, but in the pit lane – your living room – he is calm, affectionate, and almost invisible. If you give him the opportunity to live out his hunting hardware outdoors, you will get the gentlest shadow you can imagine indoors.
Breed Profile
The English Pointer is a breed of dog known for its stunning posture and elegant physique. They have a distinct, noble appearance with a lean and muscular body structure that reflects their incredible speed and endurance. Your eponymous “Show” or "Pointing" pose, in which they point at the game with an outstretched foreleg and a rigid posture, is world-famous. They belong to FCI Group 7, the group of pointing dogs. A distinction is often made between performance and show lines, with performance lines often being slimmer and more athletic and showing stronger hunting instincts, while show lines are bred more for aesthetic appearance.
| Height | 61 - 66 cm (Female), 63 - 69 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 20 - 30 kg (Female), 25 - 36 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 - 15 years |
| Character | Energetic, loyal, friendly |
| Coat | Short, smooth, without undercoat |
| Coat Color | White with lemon, orange, liver or black markings |
| Price | 1200 - 2500 € |
History
The English Pointer breed is originally from Great Britain and was first documented in the late 17th century. They were bred by hunters to improve hunting methods and are known for their ability to find and point at birds to show the hunter the location of the game. They are believed to have been bred from a mix of dog breeds including the Bloodhound, Foxhound and Greyhound. This combination resulted in a dog with an excellent sense of smell, great speed and endurance, and a strong hunting instinct. The English Pointer was recognized as a separate breed by the American Kennel Club in 1878.
The English Pointer was bred to mark game by so-called "pointing" so hunters could easily find it.
Great Britain
1650
Character & Temperament
English Pointers are known for their friendly and even-tempered nature, which makes them good companion dogs. They are very people-oriented and build a close bond with their family. As active and energetic dogs, they need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. They love to play and romp around and are also very successful at various dog sports such as agility or flyball. However, with enough exercise, they can also be very calm and relaxed companions. In terms of the different lines, the English Pointer from the performance line often shows a stronger hunting instinct and more endurance, while the dogs from the show line tend to be calmer and show less hunting instinct. Nevertheless, all English Pointers should be well secured when not responding fenced areas, as their hunting instinct may lead them to pursue an interesting smell. They can learn to stay alone if they are trained to do so from an early age, but they are social and should not be left alone for long periods of time. When it comes to their alertness, English Pointers are not your typical watchdogs. They tend to be rather friendly and open towards strangers. However, they can keep a watchful eye on their territory and warn their family of potential threats. Their friendly and open nature makes them good family dogs and they can also get along well with other dogs and pets if properly socialized. Despite their hunting history, English Pointers are typically very good-natured and friendly dogs that go well with people of all ages. They are intelligent and capable of learning, which makes training easier. However, they are also known to be a bit stubborn at times, which requires patient and consistent training. They are very playful and love spending time outdoors, making them great companions for active people.
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that the English Pointer gets its name from its unique ability to "show" prey by pointing at it with its nose and holding its tail stiff?
What Awaits You
The Pointer is the ultimate expression of canine power and grace. The name of the breed is its job description: Pointers are pointers for game birds, and have been for centuries. The energetic Pointer makes an excellent companion for runners.
Housing & Care
English Pointers are suitable both as city dogs and for country life, provided they get enough exercise and mental stimulation. They are very family oriented and generally get along well with children. They also get along well with other dogs and can live with cats and other pets if properly socialized.
| Family Friendly Loves family life and thrives in a group. | Family-oriented |
| Child Friendly Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride. | Patient with children |
| Dog Friendly Actively enjoys the company of other dogs. | Dog-friendly |
| City Friendly City-appropriate with enough exercise and stimulation. | Manageable in cities |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
English Pointers are intelligent and willing to learn dogs that respond well to positive training. They are very active and are well suited to various dog sports such as agility or flyball. Because they were originally bred for hunting, they have a natural instinct to run and forage, which can be channeled into appropriate activities such as tracking or retrieving. It is important not to over-busy the English Pointer. Although they are active dogs, they also need periods of rest. Furthermore, English Pointers can become "ball junkies" Therefore, ball games should not take over and instead a balanced mix of different activities should be offered. Topics such as impulse control and frustration tolerance should not be neglected in education. English Pointers can sometimes be a bit stubborn, so consistent but loving training is important. It is also important to socialize the dog early and introduce him to a variety of people, animals and environments to promote a well-balanced and confident dog.
Nutrition & Care
English Pointers are active dogs that require a balanced diet to meet their energy needs. A mix of high-quality dry and wet food is ideal. When choosing food, you should pay attention to a sufficient supply of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. For puppies, it is particularly important to choose a food that is specifically designed for growth. Caring for the English Pointer is relatively straightforward. Their short coat has no undercoat and sheds very little. They cope well with the climate in Germany, but should be protected with a dog blanket in extremely cold temperatures.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Working-dog energy that needs burning off every single day. | High-drive |
| Shedding No or minimal hair loss — suitable for allergy sufferers. | No shedding |
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Robust
Health grade
The English Pointer is a very robust working dog, with the breed association strictly monitoring and effectively minimizing hip dysplasia (HD) through mandatory health tests. Buyers should also occasionally look out for elbow dysplasia (ED), although the breed is largely spared from the severe hereditary diseases that affect other large breeds. If you ensure the parents have healthy joints, you will find this breed to be a genetically very fit companion.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
Ensure the dog is raised in a way that protects its joints and divide food portions well to keep the risk of bloat low for these active dogs.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have hips, elbows, eyes, and hearing tested and keep a close eye on the thyroid levels of the parent animals.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Experiences with the English Pointer
Katrin S., Halterin aus Hessen (Rüde, seit 2020)
Als wir unseren Pointer-Mischling aus dem Tierschutz übernommen haben, wussten wir zwar theoretisch, worauf wir uns einlassen, aber die Realität hat uns noch einmal ganz neu gefordert. Er ist im Haus ein absoluter Traum und ein riesiger Kuschelbär, der extrem anhänglich und feinfühlig ist. Aber sobald wir vor die Tür gehen, schaltet sein Gehirn komplett auf Jagdmodus um. Er ist extrem schnell und ausdauernd unterwegs.
Der Jagdtrieb ist bei ihm so tief verwurzelt, dass er draußen quasi permanent an der Schleppleine laufen muss. Wenn ihm eine Spur in die Nase steigt oder er nur ein kleines Vögelchen sieht, ist er kaum noch ansprechbar und vergisst alles um sich herum. Man muss sich einfach darüber im Klaren sein, dass man bei dieser Rasse unter Umständen ein ganzes Hundeleben lang intensiv an der Leinenführigkeit und dem Rückruf arbeiten muss.
sinngemäß aus echten Halterberichten
Community Posts
Sell English Pointer Puppies
Breeding English Pointer? Reach responsible puppy buyers and showcase your kennel on HonestDog.
Loading...
Frequently asked questions about the English Pointer
Is a English Pointer the right dog for me?
The English Pointer is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a English Pointer live?
The average life expectancy of a English Pointer is 12-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a English Pointer need?
English Pointer grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a English Pointer good for families with children?
The English Pointer can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
English Pointer Breeders Near You
Find verified English Pointer breeders in your region
Popular puppy searches
Other breeds with available puppies from verified breeders
Why HonestDog?
What makes HonestDog different from other platforms
Transparency Guarantee
We provide complete transparency in the breeding process, offering detailed information about breeders, their practices, health checks, and genetic testing results in an easily understandable format, ensuring buyers can make informed decisions confidently.
Responsible Breeding Assurance
Our platform prioritizes responsible breeding practices, ensuring all breeders meet stringent criteria including health checks and genetic testing for parent dogs, eliminating the worry of encountering unethical breeders or puppy mills.
Trust and Verification
HonestDog verifies both breeders and buyers, fostering a trusted community where interactions are reliable and secure, setting a new standard for trustworthiness in the dog breeding industry.
Convenience and Time Saving
By featuring thoroughly vetted breeders and providing comprehensive information, HonestDog saves buyers valuable time that would otherwise be spent researching and vetting breeders, allowing them to focus on choosing the perfect puppy for their family.
Our Mission

We connect dog lovers with responsible breeders and shelters to ensure every dog finds the perfect home.
Founded by dog enthusiasts, our platform focuses on ethical dog breeding and adoption.
Why HonestDog?
We connect you with vetted breeders and shelters so you can find your new companion with confidence.
Vetted Partners
Only verified breeders and shelters — for a safe start.
Highest Standards
Every animal's health and wellbeing is our top priority.
Guides & Resources
Guides, checklists, and breed profiles — so you can make a well-informed decision.