--- title: English Pointer as a Gun Dog | Royal Gun Dogs url: https://royalgundogs.com/breeds/english-pointer/ business: Royal Gun Dogs trainer: Richard Gebhart (professional gun dog trainer since 2002) phone: (530) 341-4496 email: royalgundogs@yahoo.com trains_at: Hastings Island Hunting Preserve, 7758 Hastings Island Rd, Rio Vista, CA 94571 (Solano County) booking: call or text Richard directly --- - [Home](https://royalgundogs.com/) - [Breeds](https://royalgundogs.com/breeds/) - English Pointer # The English Pointer as a gun dog The English Pointer is a fast, wide-ranging bird dog bred in England to find game and hold a rigid point until the hunter arrives. It is the classic quail dog, and its training centers on range, pattern and steadiness more than on retrieving. ## English Pointer at a glance - **Origin:** England, 17th century AKC breed standard - **AKC group:** Sporting AKC - **Typical weight:** 45-75 lbs AKC breed standard - **Hunting style:** Pointer (upland birds) AKC Few dogs look as intense on point as an English Pointer. Here is what the breed was made for and what to expect when you bring one to training. ## The point is the breed The AKC describes the Pointer as a dog bred to locate game and indicate it by freezing in a stylish, rigid stance. The breed is lean, muscular and built for speed across open ground. Quail, chukar and pheasant are the birds the breed is known for. In California, that points toward foothill quail and open-country chukar, where a dog that covers ground and handles the heat does the job. ## Training a wide-ranging dog Pointers are bred for range, which means the first challenge is control. A good pointer hunts independently but returns to the handler's side of the field. Training builds a pattern, teaches the dog to stop to flush and shot, and develops a dependable recall for a dog that may be a long way out. Richard expanded to pointers and other upland breeds in 2013 under Steve Klassen at Blue Ridge Kennels. If your pointer has a strong desire to hunt, bring it in and have him look at it. ## What happens in a typical start - Early bird exposure with a young dog, so the dog learns what the hunt is for - Whoa and recall as the control foundation - Pattern and range, adjusted to the cover and your hunting style - Steadiness at the point, wing and shot - Optional: retrieve training, since many pointers need a deliberate lesson to bring birds to hand ## Pointer or setter? Many hunters wonder whether to choose an English Pointer or an [English Setter](https://royalgundogs.com/breeds/english-setter/). Both point and both hunt wide open country. The AKC describes the Pointer as sleek and fast, with a short coat that is easy to keep. The Setter has a longer coat and a softer expression. Neither is a safe choice for everything, so the answer comes from the cover you hunt and the pace you like. Richard can talk through it based on your hunts. ## Fit with Royal Gun Dogs programs A pointer pup begins with [Puppy Camp](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/puppy-camp/) at 5 to 7 months, hunts until it is over a year old, then comes back for [Formal Gun Dog Training](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/formal-gun-dog-training/). An owner who wants to learn the handling can add [handler lessons](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/lessons/). [board-and-train](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/board-and-train/) puts the dog in daily work at Hastings Island, which is useful for owners across California. ### Sources (4) - American Kennel Club : [akc.org/dog-breeds/pointer/](https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/pointer/) (checked October 27, 2026) - American Kennel Club : [akc.org/dog-breeds/sporting/](https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/sporting/) (checked October 27, 2026) - Hastings Island Hunting Preserve : [hihp.com/royal-gun-dogs-dog-training/](https://hihp.com/royal-gun-dogs-dog-training/) (checked October 27, 2026) - American Kennel Club : [akc.org/sports/pointing-breeds/hunt-tests/](https://www.akc.org/sports/pointing-breeds/hunt-tests/) (checked October 27, 2026) ### Matching program - [Formal Gun Dog Training](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/formal-gun-dog-training/) ### Your trainer Richard Gebhart has trained dogs professionally since 2002, learned the Rex Carr method for Retriever Basics under Billy Sargenti, and has run and qualified at an AKC Master National. [Meet Richard](https://royalgundogs.com/richard-gebhart/) ### Related - [English Setter](https://royalgundogs.com/breeds/english-setter/) - [German Shorthaired Pointer](https://royalgundogs.com/breeds/german-shorthaired-pointer/) - [Retriever, pointer or spaniel: choosing a hunting breed](https://royalgundogs.com/guides/retriever-pointer-or-spaniel/) - [Puppy Camp](https://royalgundogs.com/programs/puppy-camp/) ## English Pointer questions [All questions](https://royalgundogs.com/faq/) ### Do English Pointers retrieve? Some do, many do not without training. Retrieve work is optional and depends on how you hunt. ### Are pointers good family dogs? They are friendly and energetic, and need exercise. ### Is a pointer a good first bird dog? It can be, with training and a hunting partner. Ask Richard about your dog. ### Can a pointer run AKC hunt tests? Yes, in AKC hunting tests for pointing breeds.