English Pointers (Dogs)

[biggins]

Anybody have one, had one, have an opinion on the breed?

We may be adopting a 7yo to live in a large 1st floor apt. with a yard (but an apartment none-the-less).

Any thoughts or experiences?

[Bluebird]

Do you have access or the willingness to find some real open spaces for the dog to run/point, etc? If so you should be fine. I have seen both really relaxed as well as really hyperactive pointers. 7 years old should mean it has calmed down quite a bit. I just wouldn't count on access to to yard (unless it is large) as adequate space for all the exercise it will need. I once had an apartment next to a golf course, which gave me more than enough room to run the dog at night.

[biggins]

Do you have access or the willingness to find some real open spaces for the dog to run/point, etc? If so you should be fine. I have seen both really relaxed as well as really hyperactive pointers. 7 years old should mean it has calmed down quite a bit. I just wouldn't count on access to to yard (unless it is large) as adequate space for all the exercise it will need. I once had an apartment next to a golf course, which gave me more than enough room to run the dog at night.

Absolutely, I'm assuming a daily walk to some open space. I will not rely on th yard for his excercise. Any other thoughts on your dog? Any experience with him/her in the snow?

[lemon boy]

Buy yourself an Astro

Don't have much EP experience but by reputation they are among the biggest running of all big running hunting dogs, some having a working radius of >1/4mi. Some can also be pretty high strung, especially w/o enough exercise. The couple I've (briefly) met have been seemingly sweet tempered dogs.

EPs are ATHLETIC dogs. (I'm half joking about EPs being runoff dogs)

Git yerself a gun and start hunting

[Grange]

I don't own one, but have been around several of them over the past couple of years. All the pointers I've been by have been trial dogs so their energy levels are high. They are also all big runners with a high prey drive. Anyway I don't think pointers would make good appartment dogs unless you have a lot of time to run/walk them. From the owners I've talked to if they get enough excercise they are calm and good house dogs.

If you do accept the dog into your life you should take it hunting.

[timnormandin]

I have an English pointer coon hound mix that we adopted at 11 months. She is now 7 years old. Cleo is only marginally calmer than she was as a puppy. In fact many people think she is just a year or so old when they see her. I love this dog bigtime, but they do need a great deal of excercise. And they do bolt from sight even when trained as hunting dogs. That's how they operate. Depending on where you live this could be a problem. Cleo got hit once before we moved to the wilderness. Having said that she's the best dog I've ever owned bar none.

[Bluebird]

Absolutely, I'm assuming a daily walk to some open space. I will not rely on th yard for his excercise. Any other thoughts on your dog? Any experience with him/her in the snow?

Sorry, I might have been a little misleading before, I don't have a EP, but have been around a lot. I have had a German Shorthaired pointer, which are kinda similiar. Exercise will be key (kinda goes without saying). I am sure she will be fine in snow as long as she is moving around and it isn't really cold.

[powderchick]

i had one for hunting a while ago, now shes working at a hunting ranch
dont get a hunting dog if you dont hunt. those dogs are the happiest and the best acting when out in the field doing what they are best at doing, listening to their owner, hearing the gun and finding/bring you birds.

all of the pointers i have ever worked with, hunting in the field i have found that they are pretty high strung

this 7 year old your thinking aobut getting is it a house dog/family pet
or is it a hunting dog?

as said before if its already 7 im sure its calmed down alot

[biggins]

this 7 year old your thinking aobut getting is it a house dog/family pet
or is it a hunting dog?

House pet. Spends all day in a big house, then gets a big yard to run around in. Now he will have the same routine, but a bit less space during the day, and a walk to the run-around part in the afternoons. I'll have lots of time to run this guy, so he won't be inactive, but we won't be hunting.

[Bluebird]

get a frisbee. Best thing I ever did for my current dog. even at 11 years old he gets pumped to go play. Old Navy makes the best ones. Indestructible, flies straight and is dirt cheap.

rescuing older dogs is great. give em excercise and they will love you forever.

[hutash]

Agreed that they are a high energy dog, but at 7 I would think she has slowed down and would do well in an apartment with yard, and walks. They are mellower then most of the pointers I have worked with over the years, but can still be pretty energetic. Nice dogs