pointer, highly regarded breed of sporting dog of hound, spaniel, and setter ancestry. The pointer derives its name from its assumption of a rigid posture in the direction of the quarry it has located. First recorded about 1650, in England, the pointer was originally used to point out hares for greyhounds to track down. It was trained as a bird dog in the 18th century. Clean-cut, lithe, and powerful, it stands 23 to 28 inches (58 to 71 cm) and weighs 44 to 75 pounds (20 to 34 kg). It has a…
