Pointer Pointer

Pointer

17
Loyal Athletic Even-tempered Hardworking

About the Pointer

The Pointer — also called the English Pointer — was developed in England in the 17th century, likely from crosses of Spanish Pointers, Foxhounds, Greyhounds, and Bloodhounds. These elegant, athletic dogs stand 23 to 28 inches tall and weigh 45 to 75 pounds, built with a lean, muscular frame designed for speed and endurance in the field. Their short, smooth coat comes in liver, lemon, black, or orange — either solid or combined with white in striking patterns.

Temperament & Personality

Pointers are energetic, even-tempered, and intensely driven in the field, yet remarkably calm and affectionate at home once adequately exercised. They are friendly with everyone — children, strangers, and other dogs — making them poor guard dogs but excellent family companions. Their strong pointing instinct often appears naturally in puppyhood, and they thrive when given a purposeful outlet for their energy and intelligence.

Pros

  • Outstanding stamina and speed for active owners who run, bike, or hunt
  • Exceptionally friendly and gentle with children and other pets
  • Short coat requires minimal grooming — just occasional brushing
  • Highly trainable for field work, agility, and competitive obedience

Cons

  • Extremely high energy — requires 1 to 2 hours of vigorous exercise daily
  • Can become destructive and anxious without sufficient physical outlets
  • Strong prey drive makes them unreliable around small animals
  • Prone to hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and certain eye conditions

An active lifestyle deserves an equally active companion — find your Pointer on Puplister today.

Pointer Quick Facts

Size
45–75 lbs, 23–28 in
Lifespan
12–17 years
Exercise
Very High
Grooming
Low
Good with Kids
Yes
Good with Pets
Yes

Is the Pointer right for you?

Answer 5 quick questions to see how well this breed matches your lifestyle.

Take the Quiz

Available Pointers

Junior Dot
Young 2

Pointer / Labrador Retriever

Save One Soul Animal Rescue League · Wakefield, RI
Oreo
Senior 2
Oreo
M

Mixed / Pointer

Joyful Pets Animal Rescue · Amherst, MA
Oliver
Senior 1
Oliver
L

Pointer / Great Dane

Rose Acres Rescue · Attalka, AL
Gracie
Adult 1
Gracie
M

Pointer

Galveston County Animal Shelter · Texas City, TX
Sally
Adult 1
Sally
M

Pointer / Labrador Retriever

SNARR Northeast Animal Rescue · Brewster, NY
Molly
Young 5
Molly
XL

Great Dane / Pointer

Rescue Ranch · Yreka, CA

Related Breeds

Whippet
Whippet Dog

1 pet available

21

About the Whippet The Whippet was developed in Victorian England by coal miners and mill workers who bred small Greyhounds with terriers to create an affordable racing and rabbit-coursing dog — earning the nickname "the poor man's racehorse." These elegant sighthounds stand 18 to 22 inches tall and weigh 25 to 40 pounds, with a streamlined, aerodynamic build capable of reaching speeds up to 35 miles per hour. Their short, smooth coat comes in virtually any color or pattern and lies close to the body, accentuating their graceful, muscular contours. Temperament & Personality Whippets are gentle, quiet, and remarkably calm indoors — often spending hours draped elegantly across furniture in poses that would make a greyhound proud. They are affectionate and sensitive with their families, good with children (though their slender build makes them vulnerable to rough play), and generally friendly with other dogs. Despite their sprinting ability, Whippets are surprisingly low-energy at home and are often described as the ideal apartment dog for owners who enjoy outdoor exercise. Pros Extremely calm and quiet indoors — one of the most unobtrusive housematesShort, low-maintenance coat with minimal shedding and no doggy odorGentle, affectionate nature — rarely aggressive toward people or other dogsHealthy breed with a long lifespan of 12 to 15 years Cons Intense prey drive — will chase and potentially catch small animals including catsThin skin and low body fat make them sensitive to cold and prone to scrapesCannot be trusted off-leash in unfenced areas — once they run, they cannot hear youSusceptible to anesthesia sensitivity and cardiac arrhythmias Whippets are the perfect blend of couch companion and outdoor athlete — find one looking for a home on Puplister.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

2 pets available

35

About the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier originated in Ireland over 200 years ago as an all-purpose farm dog — herding livestock, guarding property, and dispatching vermin, earning it the nickname "the poor man's wolfhound." These medium-sized dogs stand 17 to 19 inches tall and weigh 30 to 40 pounds, with a sturdy, compact build beneath their distinctive coat. Their single-layer, silky, wavy coat matures from a dark puppy color to its signature warm wheaten gold by about two years of age — and unlike most terriers, it is soft rather than wiry. Temperament & Personality Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are exuberant, affectionate, and joyful — known for their characteristic "Wheaten greeting" where they enthusiastically jump up to lick faces, which can be endearing or problematic depending on the recipient. They are deeply devoted to their families, excellent with children, and more tolerant of other dogs than many terrier breeds. Their happy, bouncy energy remains well into adulthood, and they approach life with an infectious enthusiasm that brightens any household. Pros Single coat sheds minimally — more suitable for allergy-sensitive householdsFriendly and exuberant — loves people and gets along with children and other dogsLess aggressive and territorial than many other terrier breedsVersatile and athletic — enjoys agility, hiking, and active family life Cons Coat requires daily brushing and regular professional grooming to prevent mattingProne to protein-losing nephropathy and protein-losing enteropathy — serious breed-specific conditionsJumping and exuberant greeting behavior can be difficult to manageCan be stubborn during training and requires patient, consistent methods The Wheaten Terrier's joyful spirit and soft golden coat are hard to resist — discover available Wheatens on Puplister.

Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu Dog

20 pets available

52

About the Shih Tzu The Shih Tzu — meaning "lion dog" in Mandarin — was bred for centuries within the walls of the Chinese imperial palace, likely from crosses between the Lhasa Apso and the Pekingese. These small, sturdy dogs stand 9 to 10.5 inches tall and weigh 9 to 16 pounds, with a slightly longer body than they are tall and a proud, flowing gait. Their luxurious double coat grows continuously and can reach floor length, coming in virtually every color and combination, with a distinctive chrysanthemum-like pattern on the face where hair grows in all directions. Temperament & Personality Shih Tzus are affectionate, outgoing, and delightfully playful — bred solely as companion dogs, they have centuries of experience perfecting the art of being a devoted lapdog. They are friendly with nearly everyone, including children, strangers, and other pets, making them one of the most sociable toy breeds available. Shih Tzus are happy, adaptable, and surprisingly sturdy for their size, with a mischievous charm that keeps their families entertained. Pros Exceptionally friendly and sociable with people of all ages and other animalsLow exercise requirements — short walks and indoor play satisfy their needsMinimal shedding when coat is kept in a shorter "puppy clip"Adaptable and content in apartments, condos, and any living situation Cons Long coat demands daily brushing or frequent professional groomingBrachycephalic structure contributes to breathing issues and heat intoleranceProne to eye problems (proptosis, corneal ulcers), ear infections, and dental diseaseCan be stubborn about housetraining — patience and consistency are essential A Shih Tzu's sole mission in life is to love and be loved — find yours waiting on Puplister today.

Siberian Husky

90 pets available

432

About the Siberian Husky The Siberian Husky was developed over thousands of years by the Chukchi people of northeastern Siberia as an endurance sled dog capable of pulling light loads over vast frozen distances in extreme cold. These athletic, medium-sized dogs stand 20 to 23.5 inches tall and weigh 35 to 60 pounds, with a graceful, effortless gait that reflects their incredible stamina. Their thick double coat comes in virtually every color from pure white to black, often with striking facial markings, and their eyes can be brown, blue, or even one of each (heterochromia). Temperament & Personality Siberian Huskies are friendly, outgoing, and mischievous — pack-oriented dogs that love people and make terrible guard dogs because they greet everyone like a long-lost friend. They are playful and gentle with children and generally good with other dogs, though their high prey drive makes them a risk around cats and small animals. Huskies are intelligent but famously independent, preferring to make their own decisions rather than follow commands — a trait that requires patience and humor from their owners. Pros Friendly, social, and gentle with children and strangers alikeNaturally clean with little doggy odor — self-grooming like a catOutstanding endurance athlete for running, hiking, and winter sportsHealthy breed with a lifespan of 12 to 14 years Cons Extreme shedding — blows the entire undercoat twice yearly in massive quantitiesLegendary escape artists — can jump fences, dig under them, and open latchesStrong prey drive makes them dangerous around cats, rabbits, and small animalsNot suited for hot climates and requires air conditioning in warm regions The Siberian Husky's adventurous spirit and stunning beauty are irresistible — find Huskies seeking forever homes on Puplister.

Related Articles

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key traits of a Pointer?
The Pointer is known for being loyal, athletic, even-tempered and hardworking.
How many Pointers are available for adoption?
There are currently 11 Pointers available for adoption on Puplister. Browse the listings above to find your perfect match.
How do I adopt a Pointer from Puplister?
To adopt a Pointer, browse the available listings on this page, click on a pet you're interested in, and contact the shelter directly through their profile page.