Breed History
Dogs that were almost certainly pointers were depicted in European paintings from as early as the fourteenth century. However, it seems the breed did not arrive in the British Isles until the early eighteenth century when it was probably brought back by soldiers or sailors serving overseas. Where they brought the breed from is unproven, though Spain is the most likely country of origin, as British soldiers fought in the War of the Spanish Succession.
Later in the same century some of the British stock was crossed with the foxhound; a controversial cross because foxhounds are bred to hunt with their noses close to the ground, whereas pointers 'scent' their quarry in the air. Two quite different hunting styles. Fortunately it was realised that the out cross was unsuccessful. So it was not persisted with. Therefore the pointers with us today have pure bloodlines going back at least to the early eighteenth century and likely well before that.
In the earlier centuries, pointers were used to point game birds, especially partridges, which were caught in nets. It is known that they were worked with hawks, greyhounds and scenting hounds perhaps pointing ground game, such as hares, and even deer. However, towards the end of the end eighteenth century, muzzle loading shotguns became popular for shooting game birds on the wing. Unsurprisingly the pointer proved itself as the ideal wing-shooters companion.
In England the first field trial was held in 1865, shows began in the 1860s and a stud book was set up in 1874. In 1877 pointers were shown at the first annual dog show in New York and the first American field trial took place in 1879. Thus, well before the end of the nineteenth century, bloodlines were being meticulously recorded and pointers were competing regularly in trials and shows on both sides of the atlantic.
By the end of the nineteenth century, accurate and reliable breech loading shotguns were being mass produced and game birds were bred in increasing numbers. As a result the pointer became indispensable in the sporting role it still fulfils.
The pointer's sporting heritage has moulded it into the intelligent, sensitive and bidable breed that it is today.
