What's the point of owning an English Pointer? Exactly! It's all about his ability to point to where game is hiding. These dogs were bred for just that: to find the game for hunters. Yet the nature of this particular breed is somewhat different than that of other bird dogs. Where most live to hunt, the English Pointer is less enthusiastic.
In fact, he would be just as content and happy being a pampered couch potato. Because of this tendency, the English Pointer must be 'encouraged' to get up and exercise, much like many of his human counterparts! But once he's out doing his thing, he seems to really enjoy it.
My dog Ernest is a treat to have around, but all I can say is that it's a good thing I have other dogs to use when I actually go hunting. Ernest is not a jealous dog and really doesn't care when his canine companions go out on a hunt without him. I've tried taking him with us in the hope that some of their enthusiasm will rub off on him. But although he enjoys the romp in the grass and does a pretty natural job at pointing, he obviously has no real passion for it. Sometimes he gets so antsy to get back to the house that he is only a distraction to the other dogs, which is why I rarely take him anymore.
I've kind of relegated him to the role of honorary hunting dog. Pointer emeritus, basically. He stays home and represents the other dogs when they are away. Kind of like a goodwill ambassador. He's content that way, and so are the rest of the pointers - they have a job to do!
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