There are many great books on the Pointer that you should read to acquaint yourself with this breed. It is thought that the pointer originated in Spain, from a houndlike, self-colored dog (dark orange or liver) known as "braque" to be a pointing dog with good sense of smell.
"The Pointer and His Predecessor" is considered by most breeders to be the "bible" of Pointers. William Arkwright researched extensively to find just when the Pointer became a distinct breed and his findings state that they developed in the late 1300's, early 1400's in Europe. I have seen paintings from the Pyramids of Egypt that depict a long tailed, drop-eared dog on leash with a man carrying a net. As nets were used to capture birds, some believe that the Pointer was evolved from these dogs. There is no doubt that the Pointer, along with other breeds, are the parent of our pointing dogs today.
Kitty Edmondson and Cicely Robertshaw published "The Pointer" in 1978 and itis a great reference to England's Pointers.
"The Cream of Pointerdom 1900 through 1945" by V.E.Wiloughby is a database of information for Pointer Pedigrees.
"The Pointer" by Jose Solaro , written in Spanish, is a wonderful book on the Pointer.
The first Pointer was thought to be brought into England around 1700.
Towards the end of the 17th century and for some time afterwards, the old flintlock gun which took some time to load and to get into position, dictated what type of dog was needed. He had to find the game, indicate its whereabouts, and keep it under observation, until the gunner was in a position to take a shot. For this purpose the Pointer was developed. There is some difference of opinion as to whether this particular dog was developed first in Spain, in Britain or in other European countries, but there is little doubt that he owes his origin to a mixture of Foxhound, Greyhound and possibly some Bloodhound. He needed a superb nose, speed over the ground and absolute steadiness, and those breeds were the most likely ones to produce these qualities. It could well be that the development took place simultaneously in several European countries.
The first Pointers of any sort appeared in Britain midway through the 17th century, which was some years before the shooting of birds in flight was a common practice. They were used at this time to locate hares, which were then coursed by the much faster Greyhounds which did not have the ability to locate the game as the Pointers did. By the end of the 17th century the shooting of game on the wing was in vogue and the Pointer began to come into its own. The old-fashioned Pointer still proved for a long time to lack drive and dash, and up to the end of the 19th century the Foxhound cross was still being used to impart these qualities into the over-cautious Pointer of that time. During that century too, the Pointer was repeatedly crossed with various Setters with the idea of improving temperament, as the residue of Greyhound blood together with the Foxhound produced a dog that was over-fierce and had natural killing instincts which needed to be eradicated.
By the middle of the 19th century, the Spanish type of Pointer had been left entirely behind and the English Pointer was being accepted as the model of pace, stamina and verve. By this time sportsmen were shooting with weapons which were self loaded, and were working their dogs themselves, rather than having highly organized teams of beaters, and the sort of dog that could be taken out by one man for a few hours shooting was required. The Pointer was trained to work as one of a pair, and the theory, indeed the practice, was for two of these dogs to back one another up to confirm the presence of game and to give cross-reference to the game's exact position.
The Pointer, as we know him today, came from these dogs. The Pointers were kept for their special ability in the field. They went out to find the birds (singles or coveys) and after the flush, the retrievers were used to fetch the game.
The Pointer, along with the Setter (English) are the two original breeds registered with The American Field Stud Book, upon which the American Kennel Club based its registry when first formed. It is the seal of the Westminster Kennel Club and was one of the first breeds to be exhibited at the first conformation show in the United States.
In the book "The AKC's World of the Pure Bred Dog", 1983, it is noted that "It is unfortunate that even distinguished breeders have never bestirred themselves to make Dual Champions". I am glad to say that this is no longer true! There are 7 Dual Champions of record in the breed, as of this writing.
BIBLIOGRAPHY on POINTERS
The following is a list of some books on this subject. Unfortunately, most are now difficult and/or very expensive to purchase but all are definitely worthwhile acquisitions if you get the chance to purchase them. (And books, kept in good condition, never depreciate!)
If your local bookseller can't help, try Bill & Cathy McClure, Kippewa Kennels, Manotick, Ontario (especially for used and out of print) or Wilderness Adventures, (an American catalog house specializing in sporting books) 18009253339.
On The Breed:
Argue, Derry. Pointers and Setters
Swan Hill Press, Shrewsbury SY3 9EB, 1993 (£19.)
Hot off the press and a great addition to the literature. (Available from Wilderness Adventures now at $33.00 (US) (18009253339)
Arkwright, W. The Pointer & His Predecesors (Original 1906)
2nd Reprint, Highland Printers, Inverness, Scotland, 1989. Available from Argue pub. Fendon, Tain, Scotland IV19 1PE ($50.00 +)
Cavanaugh, Wayne R. The Inheritance of Coat Color in Pointers.
Privately published by the author 1981.
Edmondson K., Robertshaw C., The Pointer
Faber & Faber, London, 1978. $25$35
Latham, John G., The Pointer, A Graphic Discussion of the Standard. Assoc. Printers Inc., N.J., 1981 (no longer available as it was a limited printing, but possible to borrow one from breeders of his day)
Hart, Ernest H., Pointers. T.F.H. Publications, Inc. N.J. 1990.
(Somewhat generic series but accessible and cheap.)
Marr, W., Pointers and Setters
W. & G. Baird Ltd., Belfast, 1963. ($10$20)
Moreau, L., Les Braques et Les Pointers
Bornemann Edition, Paris, 1967. (Paperback in French) $15$30
Pata, Jan Linzy, Pointer Champions, 18891980
Private Printing 1981. Excellent reference for pedigrees.$40
Camino Book Co. (P.O. Box 729, Kings Beach, CA 96143 Tel: 7028315553
Phillips, W. Enos, The True Pointer & His Ancient Heritage
Private Limited Printing, 1970. ($100$200)
Pointer Champions, 19871992.
Camino Book Co. (P.O. Box 729, Kings Beach, CA 96143 Tel: 7028315553
Pointer Champions, 19811986.
Camino Book Co. (P.O. Box 729, Kings Beach, CA 96143 Tel: 7028315553
Steffenine, Felice, Pointers E Setters Campioni
Olimpia Editoriale, 1984. (Paperback, Italian) $15$30
Wehle, R. Wing & Shot gun dog training. The Country Press, Scottsville, N.Y., 1964.
Wehle, R. Snakefoot The Making of a Champion. The Country Press, Scottsville, N.Y., 1996.
On Training
There are literally hundreds of good training books available new and used. However, every hunter who owns a Pointer should definitely have these, or at least read them, in my humble opinion:
*Argue, Derry, Pointers and Setters
Swan Hill Press, Shrewsbury SY3 9EB, 1993 (£19.)
A great addition to the literature. (Available from Wilderness Adventures now at $33.00 (US) (18009253339)
Long, Paul, About Training Pointing Dogs
Paperback, 1st Edition 1974. $10$15.00
NAVHDA's Training Book & Secrets of the Pros, Video
Available (Book $10. & Video $39.95 US) from:
NAVHDA, 10421 Rockville Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46234
*Tarrant, Bill. Tarrant Trains Gun Dogs - Humane way to get top results.
Stackpole (ISBN 0-8117-1723-2) Harrisburg, PA. 1989.
*Tarrant, Bill. Gun Dog Training - New Strategies from Today's Top Trainers.
Voyageur Press, (ISBN 0-89658-322-8) Stillwater, MN, 1996
Wehle, Robert, Wing & Shot Gun Dog Training
The Country Press, Scottsville, N.Y. 1964 (1st Printing)
(A classic Must Have for all Pointer owners. Available in Nth reprint at about $25.US and in 2 Vol. Video at $90.US)
*Wehle, R. Snakefoot The Making of a Champion. The Country Press, Scottsville, N.Y., 1996.
* These are specifically recommended because of the humane methods used in training the dogs, and the authors' obvious respect for their canine charges.