Pointing Dog Puppy Primer -- Which One is For You?

By Bob & Jody Iler

Choosing a puppy is one of life's very special pleasures. But deciding what pointing dog breed is right for you can be a challenge -- and may make the difference between an experience in frustration and a partnership of contentment. Some questions to ask yourself before you research pointing breeds are:

* What type of birds will you be hunting?

* Where will you hunt and what type of habitat /climate will you be hunting in?

* Do you want your dog to range out or work close?

* How old are you?

* What kind of physical condition are you in?

* How would you describe your personality? Are you easygoing and tolerant? Are you a perfectionist with a short supply of patience?

* Where will your dog live -- in the house with you or outside in a kennel?

* Do you have the patience to clean burrs from a long coat after each hunt?

After years of experience working with different pointing breeds and their owners, we've found that the ideal matches are ones where the owners chose breeds that best fit them. Answer the questions above and you’ll have a checklist to match with the characteristics of your ideal pointing dog....Ender