Official AKC Standard for the Pointer
General Appearance
The Pointer is bred primarily for sport afield:
he should unmistakably look and act the part.
The ideal specimen gives the immediate impression of
compact power and agile grace: the head noble, proudly
carried: the expression intelligent and alert:
the muscular body bespeaking both staying power and
dash. Here is an animal whose every movement shows
him to be a wide-awake, hard-driving hunting dog
possessing stamina, courage, and the desire to go.
And in his expression are the loyalty and devotion of
a true friend of man.
Temperament
The Pointer's even temperament and alert good sense
make him a congenial companion both in the field and
in the home. He should be dignified and should never
show timidity toward man or dog.
Head
The skull of medium width, approximately as wide as
the length of the muzzle, resulting in an impression
of length rather than width. Slight furrow between
the eyes, cheeks cleanly chiseled. There should be a
pronounced stop. From this point forward the muzzle is
of good length, with the nasal bone so formed that
the nose is slightly higher at the tip than the
muzzle at the stop. Parallel planes of the skull and
muzzle are equally acceptable. The muzzle should be
deep without pendulous flews. Jaws ending square and
level, should bite evenly or as scissors. Nostrils well
developed and wide open.
Ears
Set on at eye level. When hanging naturally, they
should reach just below the lower jaw, close to the
head, with little or no folding. They should be
somewhat pointed at the tip -- never round -- and
soft and thin in leather.
Eyes
Of ample size, rounded and intense. The eye color
should be dark in contrast with the color of the
markings, the darker the better.
Neck
Long, dry, muscular, and slightly arched, springing
cleanly from the shoulders.
Shoulders
Long, thin, and sloping. The top of blades close
together.
Front
Elbows well let down, directly under the withers and
truly parallel so as to work just clear of the body.
Forelegs straight and with oval bone. Knee joint never
to knuckle over. Pasterns of moderate length,
perceptibly finer in bone than the leg, and slightly
slanting. Chest, deep rather than wide, must not hinder free action of forelegs. The breastbone bold, without being unduly prominent. The ribs well sprung, descending as low as the elbow-point.
Back
Strong and solid with only a slight rise from croup
to top of shoulders. Loin of moderate length, powerful
and slightly arched. Croup falling only slightly to
base of tail. Tuck-up should be apparent, but not
exaggerated.
Tail
Heavier at the root., tapering to a fine point.
Length no greater than to hock. A tail longer than
this or docked must be penalized. Carried without
curl, and not more than 20 degrees above the line of
the back: never carried between the legs.
Hindquarters
Muscular and powerful with great propelling leverage.
Thighs long and well developed. Stifles well bent.
The hocks clean: the legs straight as viewed from
behind. Decided angulation is the mark of power and
endurance.
Feet
Oval, with long, closely-set, arched toes, well-padded,
and deep. Catfoot is a fault. Dewclaws on the forelegs
may be removed.
Coat
Short, dense, smooth with a sheen.
Color
Liver, lemon, black, orange: either in combination
with white or solid-colored. A good Pointer cannot be
a bad color. In the darker colors, the nose should be
black or brown: in the lighter shades it may be
lighter or flesh-colored.
Gait
Smooth, frictionless, with a powerful hindquarters'
drive. The head should be carried high, the nostrils
wide, the tail moving from side to side rhythmically
with the pace, giving the impression of a well-balance
d, strongly-built hunting dog capable of top speed
combined with great stamina. Hackney gait must be
faulted.
Balance and Size
Balance and over-all symmetry are more important in
the Pointer than size. A smooth, balanced dog is to be
more desired than a dog with strongly contrasting
good points and faults. Hound or terrier
characteristics are most undesirable. Because a
sporting dog must have both endurance and power,
great variations in size are undesirable, the
desirable height and weight being within the following
limits:
Dogs:
Height-- 25-28 inches
Weight-- 55-75 pounds
Bitches:
Height-- 23-26 inches
Weight-- 45-65 pounds
APPROVED NOVEMBER 11, 1975