TAUNTON BAY Pointers

                    

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Color

Black, liver, orange or lemon, either solid or in combination with white.  All colors can include "ticking (little speckles), either light or heavy, on the white areas of the coat.

Size

Generally, dogs are 25" to 28" at the shoulders and weigh 55 to 75 pounds; bitches are 23" to 26" and weigh 45 to 65 pounds.

Temperament

Pointers in general are very sociable, both with people and with other dogs.  Pointers are bred to work alongside their human companions.  It is of the utmost importance that Pointers be given contact with their families, and that they be socialized outside the home so that they will readily accept new people and new situations.  Pointers are good with children and other animals, particularly if they are raised with them.  Care should be taken that both dog and child are taught the proper behavior toward one another, and no dog should ever be left unsupervised with a child.

Exercise Requirements

While Pointers do need, and love, regular exercise, they are quite settled in the house.  In fact, if you don't allow pets on your furniture, you might need to consider another breed - Pointers are couch potatoes!  They are quite content with you sitting on the floor while they are spread out across the couch or bed! Even some people who have said "Oh that won't be a problem, we don't allow animals on our furniture" have chosen to soften their stance after their first glimpse of a contented sleeping Pointer curled up on the couch.

Pointers love to run and can be great jogging companions; and, although an hour's walk may be plenty of exercise for you and us, Pointers generally prefer to run.  The perfect situation is a place where it is safe to let your dog off leash and you can walk for an hour and they can run.  We do not recommend allowing a newly acquired Pointer off leash outside of a fenced area unless you have done some serious obedience work, especially recall training or have taught the "come" command.

Remember, Pointers are bred to hunt wild birds and range over a large amount of ground so the hunter doesn't have to do all that work.  Until they are trained to stay on point when they initially stop to point, they will more likely try to catch the bird and chase it further away from you.  This, if you are not a hunter, only presents the problem of having your dog further away and less interested in you than the bird.

All dogs benefit from formal obedience training.  Pointers take well to obedience training, being eager to please, if you make clear to them what is expected in their new home.

Many potential behavioral issues can be resolved with at least 20 minutes of sustained aerobic exercise such as a run in a state part, throwing a ball in your backyard, or jogging with them.

Care of your Pointer

Pointers have a short, dense coat which does not often need to be brushed - however, a hard rubber curry comb brushing once a week often helps with shedding.

Fencing

Having a fenced yard makes owning any dog much safer and easier.   A Pointer rarely understands traffic or roads, and must be safeguarded from his own instinct to hunt when not in a suitable place to do so.  Keeping your Pointer inside a fence or kennel or on a leash will protect her from becoming lost or injured when outdoors enjoying the open.

Obedience Training

Pointers love to work for their owners.  All dogs need to establish a relationship with their new owners, and a positive group obedience class is a great way to do it.  Pointers need fair, consistent, positive training. They will shut down if you are too harsh with them.  We recommend that you watch a few classes before signing up and don't be hesitant to travel a little farther to a great class, than save a few minutes and not get help or support.  You and your Pointer should feel comfortable in the class and feel that the instructor is available to answer questions if necessary.  Don't be afraid to change classes if you are displeased with the instruction, but remember that what you learn in class must be reinforced at home.

Crate Training

We VERY STRONGLY recommend crate training.  All our puppies are crate trained after seven weeks of age.  Pointers adapt quickly and well to crates.   They give your dog a safe, quiet, private place to be when you are not home, too busy to supervise, or simply when the dogs decide they need their own time out.  Dogs will voluntarily go to their crates, and love to sleep and rest and store their toys in them.  A folding crate can also be used when traveling in the car, visiting friends and relatives, and staying at motels.  Until your Pointer is over the teething period and knows the rules at your house, it is a good spot for her to rest while you cannot supervise her investigation of her  new home.
                                                                                   Adapted from: www.pointerrescue.org

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