LargeSporting Group

Pointer

The Pointer (sometimes 'English Pointer') is the prototypical pointing breed, developed in England in the 1600s from crosses with Spanish pointing stock.

Calculate Pointer age

Lifespan13.5 yrrange 12–15

SizeLargeSporting Group

Weight45–75 lb20.4–34 kg

Senior at6 yrgeriatric at 10

Gallery (3)

About

About the Pointer

The Pointer (sometimes 'English Pointer') is the prototypical pointing breed, developed in England in the 1600s from crosses with Spanish pointing stock. The breed's classic 'stop-and-freeze' stance gave the entire pointing category its name.

Aging

How Pointers age

Not covered in the UK RVC VetCompass cohort; breed-standard estimates indicate 12-15 years. OFA screens show elbow dysplasia at 4.4% and hypothyroidism at 3.4% — mid-range for sporting breeds, with no single dominant late-life condition.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 13.5 yr · range 12–15 Senior careSenior at 6 · geriatric at 10 Common health issues5 tracked conditions

Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight: 45–75 lb(20.4–34 kg)
Height: 23–28 in(58.4–71.1 cm)
Coat type: Short
Colors: Black & WhiteLemonLemon & WhiteLiverLiver & WhiteOrangeOrange & WhiteWhiteBlack

Temperament

How Pointers tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

even-temperedloyalhard-drivingindependent

Energy
4/5
Trainability
5/5
Good with kids
3/5
Good with other dogs
5/5
Shedding
3/5

Health

Common health issues

Full health profile

Moderatetypical onset ~6 yr
Adult-Onset Cardiac Disease (Echocardiogram)
Description and veterinary guidance for Adult-Onset Cardiac Disease (Echocardiogram) land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
Low prevalencetypical onset ~2 yr
Elbow Dysplasia
Description and veterinary guidance for Elbow Dysplasia land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
Low prevalencetypical onset ~7 yr
Cataracts
Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.