Sporting dogs that are bred specifically for the purpose of hunting fall into two categories: flushing dogs and pointing dogs. Pointing dogs usually run beyond the range of the hunter’s weapon. When a bird is discovered, the dog freezes and points it out by raising its paw off the ground. The hunter then enters for the flush.
Most hunting dogs are larger in stature, but there are a number of small or medium-sized breeds that have strong pointing instincts. Here is a list of 10 of the best breeds of smaller pointing dogs:
1. Brittany
The Brittany spaniel is a breed of pointer that originated in the Brittany region of northern France around the 17th century. These medium-sized hunting dogs have a lot of versatility and are incredibly athletic. These dogs are in high demand because of their compact size, sporting talents, and sweet disposition. They reach a height of 17 to 21 inches and a weight of 30 to 40 pounds.
Their coat is flat, dense, and can be wavy. They are often with orange and white or liver and white markings and occasionally have roan patterns. Their coat does not need regular grooming.
The Brittany is a hard-working pointing dog with excellent hunting and retrieving skills. Brittanys, despite their little stature, have the speed and agility to cover a lot of ground. They are a hardy breed with skin and coat designed to withstand punctures and rips in dense vegetation.
They are brilliant family pets who get along well with other dogs and children (as long as they are gentle). Brittany spaniels are very person-oriented and might be a sensitive soul who suffers from separation anxiety. The flip side of this trait is that they are eager to please their human and will react well to constructive and positive training methods.
2. Small Munsterlander
The small Munsterlander is the smallest breed of German pointing dog. The coat of the small Munsterlander is medium length, flat, and dense. The color can be roan, liver and white, or liver-white ticked. The small Munsterlander’s coat, unlike the coats of other pointers, requires regular care. It’s a magnet for burrs and brushes.
The little Munsterlander was established as a distinct breed in the late 1800s, when an almost extinct small, long-haired pointing dog breed known as a “Spion” was resurrected and improved. They were originally bred for hunting quail.
The hunting attitude of the small Munsterlander has been described as energetic and independent. The advantage of this temperament is that they can withstand greater training pressure than softer types. The small Munsterlander is a great family pet and makes a friendly, eager companion
3. German Wirehaired Pointer
German Wirehaired Pointers are a medium-sized sporting breed that was developed for hunting in the 19th century. They are a versatile, strong gundog that thrives on doing loads of outdoor activities. With their rough, wiry, waterproof coat and can-do attitude, GWPs are game for any challenge. The GWP is an energetic, loving, and playful family dog when they are around the house.
GWPs are slightly taller and heavier than their near sibling, the German Shorthaired Pointer, standing up to 26 inches at the shoulder and reaching a weight of 50 to 70 pounds. GWPs are well-balanced, well-muscled, robust, nimble, and built to clamber around in the bushes all day without getting tired. Their shaggy beard and eyebrows give them a wise, worldly expression, while the hard wire coat protects their skin against prickly underbrush and nasty weather.
4. Vizsla
Hungarian vizsla are sporting dogs that have a short, smooth coat in a coppery, rusty color. Vizslas grow to about 22 to 2 inches tall at the withers and reach a weight of between 45 and 50 pounds. Females are smaller than males.
The Hungarian vizsla, which translates to “tracker” can be traced back to the 8th century. Ancient Magyar clans relied on these agile dogs for hunting because of their exceptional stamina. Because of their speed and adaptability, they were highly desired by Hungary’s nobles.
Vizslas have a big heart and are exceptionally loyal to their owners. “Velcro dogs” is a common nickname for them because of how much they enjoy spending time with their humans. If left alone for long periods, they may suffer from separation anxiety. Wirehaired vizslas, a different breed, are closely related to them.
5. Pudelpointer
The Pudelpointer was created in the late 1800s by crossing a German Hunting Poodle, or Pudel, with an English Pointer to create the ideal hunting dog. The Pudel, Pudlepointer, and Poodle Pointer are all names for the German Pudelpointer.
These compact size working dogs only reach a height of 21 to 17 inches at their withers, and adults weigh between 40 and 65 pounds. Males are larger than females. Generally, they are healthy dogs that live for between 10 and 14 years.
This hunting breed is sociable and eager to please and also highly energetic. They’re perfect for someone who is always on the go. A spacious yard is necessary as they need lots of daily exercise. They thrive when they are able to engage with their favorite humans.
Pudelpointers are not game or gun-averse, which makes them an ideal choice for both working and hunting. The eagerness to please is one of the most cherished personality attributes of the Pudelpointer. This hunting breed requires an owner with a good grasp on training, but with some consistency early on, your Pudelpointer should be able to learn quickly.
Because Pudelpointers have a high prey drive, they may chase smaller dogs, cats, or other pets around the house. The Pudelpointer is a robust, medium-sized dog that can easily push over tiny children when they are extremely excited. The Pudelpointer isn’t malicious, but they do forget their size and strength from time to time!
6. English Setter
While English setters are on the larger side, reaching a height of 23 to 27 inches and weighing 45 to 80 pounds, female English setters can make relatively compact hunting companions. With a history dating back to the 14th century, the English setter is one of the oldest gun dog breeds. The Spanish pointer, French pointer, and a variety of spaniels are among its forefathers.
The English setter is a fast and efficient worker with a good nose and ground speed, designed particularly for upland bird hunting. They are elegant hunters with the ability to cover a lot of ground by combining agility and stamina. They are active dogs with a long and illustrious history of locating and pointing upland birds.
English setters are calm, sociable dogs that make great family pets and get along well with kids and other dogs. They are gentle and sensitive dogs with a mild disposition that enjoy both giving and receiving attention. These dogs are noted for being vigilant and protective of their family and territory, yet when instructed to quiet down, they do so swiftly.
English setters are often white with blue, lemon, orange, or brown speckling. They are lovely, elegant, slender dogs. Some dogs are tricolored, meaning they are blue, white, and brown. Their hair is long, straight, silky, and wavy. Their eyes are big or hazel, the nose black, and the ears are long and droopy. The underbelly, ears, tail, and legs are all highly feathered.
7. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has a rougher appearance than most other pointing breeds, which have short, dense coats or long, silky fur. Their coat is brutally wiry, but on the plus side: they are low-shedding dogs. The coat is most commonly steel gray with brown markings, or chestnut brown, roan, white and brown, plain brown, plain white, or white and orange.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons reach a height of 20 to 24 inches when fully grown and weigh between 45 and 70 pounds. They have a relatively long lifespan of 12 to 14 years.
They are known as the supreme gun dog, having shown themselves in the field time and time again. They point and retrieve on land and in the water. Among similar working breeds, their willingness and dedication to work are practically unrivalled. They approach their profession with an eager, hard-working attitude that has earned them a lot of respect.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are equally as good at home as they are on the hunt. They are outgoing dogs with a naturally energetic, playful disposition that makes them suitable for many types of households. Their greatest joy is to spend the day with their family doing things they enjoy and then relaxing with them on the couch in the evening. They are a people-oriented dog who needs to live indoors.
8. Irish Red and White Setter
Standing between 22 and 26 inches tall, they weigh about 50 to 75 pounds. Irish Red and White setters are on the larger end of the medium-sized spectrum, but females are generally smaller than males and can make a compact pointing dog.
Since at least 1775, the Irish Red & White setter has been recognized as a separate breed. It was popular in the 1800s but was nearly extinct by 1900. It was then resurrected by a small group of devoted breeders in the 1920s.
The Irish setter is a close relative of the Irish Red & White setter. The Red & White is considerably more often used as a gundog than its cousin. They have a great sense of smell and excellent stamina. They can hunt in a range of terrain in hot or cold temperatures. They have the energy and drive to hunt all day, as well as the innate ability to adapt to a variety of terrain situations.
Red and Whites are devoted to their owners and get along well with youngsters and other animals. They thrive in a busy home with plenty of space to run around and play. The Red and White makes an excellent hunting partner. While not being very quick learners, they may take some extra time to train.
9. English Springer Spaniel
English Springer spaniels have a dense, medium-length coat that can be feathered or wavy. Their coat is most often liver and white. They have big, floppy ears, typical of a spaniel, and a sweet, gentle face. Weighing in at between 40 and 53 pounds when fully grown, this is a relatively small-sized sporting breed. They reach a height of 19 to 20 inches as their withers.
The English springer spaniel is a fantastic bird dog, especially when it comes to flushing out and pursuing pheasants. This dog’s retrieving abilities are comparable to those of a Labrador or golden retriever. They also have strong instincts to point and can be trained as a pointing dog.
Because of its slightly smaller size, the English springer spaniel is better adapted to hunting in tighter settings. When not working, the springer makes a wonderful household pet. They are loving, devoted dogs that make fantastic companions.
10. German Shorthaired Pointer
German Shorthaired Pointers are one of the most popular sporting breeds. Their coloring is most often liver and white, with spots and dappling. GSPs have short, smooth fur that dries quickly when they swim. They are strong swimmers because they have webbed feet and a strong affinity to be near water. GSPs grow to about 20 to 25 inches in height (at their withers) and reach a full-grown weight of 45 to 70 pounds. Females are smaller than males.
Germany is renowned for its dedication to the breeding of highly talented hunting dogs. According to some experts, GSPs are the most adaptable and capable all-around hunting dog. The English and Spanish pointers, as well as the now-extinct German bird dog, were used to create this breed.
This dog is the most common pointing dog in the United States, and it is among the top ten most popular breeds, according to the American Kennel Club. GSPs are clever, joyful, and friendly dogs who are ready to please. A near relative to this breed is the German wirehaired pointer.
Sources
- https://www.pheasantsforever.org/hunt/bird-dog-breeds.aspx
- https://projectupland.com/hunting-dogs/small-munsterlander-a-bird-hunting-dog-profile/
- http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/wirehaired-pointing-griffon
- https://www.thesprucepets.com/pointer-dog-breeds-4799079
- https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/pudelpointer
