Pudelpointer breed: the genuine hunter

The pursuit of creating the perfect hunting dog often appears in the history of dog breeds. The Pudelpointer also developed as a result of this concept.

The Pudelpointer is a rare dog breed with a truly charming personality, cheerful attitude, and plenty of energy. It is primarily a hunter’s companion but also serves well as a family dog. Despite the importance of having a task, it can be trained for roles other than hunting.

Many breeders only sell to those who will hunt with their dog. Nevertheless, an active home can also be suitable for a Pudelpointer. We have already seen them as strictly active companion animals, dogs trained to search for human remains, agility or dock diving sport dogs. We heard from a breeder that one of their dogs was taken to be a police dog

– said Brittany Bowman, a NAVHDA Breeder Award-winning breeder from Bowman Kennels.

History of Pudelpointer

Nowadays, Poodles are used to create numerous ‘designer’ breeds in the hope that these ‘doodles’ will combine the advantages of the two breeds. Many people find these dogs cute, but many oppose their sudden popularity. Although Poodle crossbreeding experiments have been going on for nearly 70 years, they have become widespread again in recent years. Unfortunately, appearance often takes precedence over character, resulting in dogs with unpredictable temperaments and health conditions. This is the biggest problem for most opponents of the ‘poo’ and ‘doodle’ initiatives. Some believe that the Pudelpointer is actually the first such ‘doodle’ breed, but in its case, breeding had nothing to do with appearance.

The Pudelpointer was specifically bred for hunting, with a relatively clear idea of the temperament and abilities they wanted to create. Breeding began in Germany in 1881. At that time, hunting was a very popular sport, so it was important to breed the best possible assistants. Creating the perfect hunting dog was the primary goal during this period. Mainly English Pointers were crossed due to their excellent hunting instincts, stamina, and work ethic. For the Pudelpointer, the Poodle was chosen as a complement. Although nowadays it is more commonly known as a show dog, it was originally bred for waterfowl hunting and retrieving. Intelligent and easily trainable, its coat is also perfectly resistant to the elements.

The result of a lengthy process

It was believed that crossing the two breeds could create a versatile, easily manageable hunting dog with strong instincts. They were right, but this didn’t happen overnight. Careful breeding resulted in the breed known today. The first pair consisted of Molly, a Standard Poodle bitch belonging to Emperor Frederick III of Germany, and Tell, an English Pointer male named Hegewald. It took nearly thirty years to find the right balance, as the traits of the Poodles turned out to be much more dominant. Allegedly, during these thirty years, only 11 Poodles were ‘used’ in creating the breed, while more than 80 English Pointers were involved. Interestingly, even after this, it remained important to occasionally refresh the ‘Pointer blood’.

Due to the world wars, the carefully established population of Pudelpointers drastically declined, among other reasons contributing to their rarity. The FCI recognized them in 1959.

Breed standard

A large-sized, powerful yet streamlined dog. It weighs 28-35 kg and stands 60-68 cm tall. Its longer, coarse wiry coat is solid yellow, brown, or black, with patches of these colors on a white base. The back is short, straight, and the limbs are parallel. Tail is straight or slightly curved. As a hunting dog, where permitted, the tail is usually docked. It has a wide, deep chest and a slightly sloping rear. Its long, broad head features hanging ears that conform closely to its shape. Its eyes provide an interesting contrast on its face, mostly shining in amber (yellow-brown) color. It belongs to the FCI Group VII, among the pointers and setters.

Character of Pudelpointer

It is an intelligent and well-balanced dog with a captivating personality. Not aggressive, but confident. Excellent as a team player, it has a strong desire to prove itself and, in the hands of an understanding owner, its potential is limitless. However, it’s important to note that in every source, it is emphasized that a Pudelpointer generally requires more than just an ‘average’ somewhat active family. It needs an owner who will occasionally take it hunting or keep it very active, providing regular mental and physical exercise.

For most Pudelpointers, it is crucial that hunting in some form be part of their life. Additionally, they make wonderful companions for all sorts of outdoor activities, happily accompanying their owner on hikes, and excelling in various dog sports. They are easily trainable, responding well to positive reinforcement. Consistent interaction is important as they are full of energy and enthusiasm for work. Simply tiring them out physically is not enough; they enjoy challenges and thrive when mentally stimulated.

Ideal environment

So we’ve established that the Pudelpointer is not suitable for everyone, as it was bred for a specific lifestyle which remains strong to this day. However, this doesn’t mean it’s not suitable for families, as with proper socialization, it can become a loyal companion for children. It requires active owners, and it thrives best when provided with some form of hunting experience. It’s not suitable for living solely indoors or outdoors; it needs freedom of movement but also enjoys being close to its family. It has a strong hunting instinct, so it’s not recommended to keep it with small pets like cats or rabbits. It’s not impossible to socialize them together, but it requires careful attention, and even then, if it sees a small animal in the yard, it may chase after it.

Care

It has a double coat with dense undercoat and harder, more resistant guard hairs. Because of this, seasonal shedding cannot be avoided, but the situation is not as chaotic as with northern breeds. Regular brushing (weekly outside shedding season, and daily during shedding season) makes it easy to manage. Occasional bathing is beneficial, especially if the dog serves as a hunting companion. Naturally, dental and nail health are important, and its ears should be checked regularly.

Common health problems

To this day, Pudelpointers are primarily bred for hunting purposes, so due to consistent and precise breeding programs, it’s rare for them to develop health issues. They may be prone to hip dysplasia and epilepsy, but breeders place great emphasis on avoiding these conditions.