A Pointer mix is any dog with one Pointer parent and another parent from a different breed. These hybrid dogs tend to be athletic and lean, built for stamina. As working dogs, pointers need lots of exercise. Theyare quite large dogs, growing to around 25 inches tall and weighing up to 60 pounds. They are intelligent, trainable and very loyal, especially to their primary carers. As adults they are pretty relaxed and can come across as aloof, but as puppies they are typically fun-loving and enthusiastic.
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When people talk about Pointers, they usually mean English Pointers or German Shorthaired Pointers. The English Pointer came first and contributed to the foundation of the German Shorthaired Pointer breed. Both dogs are all-purpose pointing, retrieving, and hunting breedsso are categorized in the sporting dog group.
Common Traits of Pointer Mixes
Pointers are comfortable with children, but they won’t tolerate noisy, clumsy, and boisterous youngsters. However, provided that you have lots of time for exercise, socialization, and positive training, a Pointer can make a great family pet.
Pointer mixes are best in a home where they have company for most of the day, as they can become barky and destructive if left alone for long periods.
Despite having a short coat, the breed does shed heavily pretty much all year round sog et ready to spend time grooming your pup if he inherits a Pointer’s coat!
Potential Health Problems
Pointers are generally very robust and healthy dogs, but you should be aware of a few common health problems that can afflict the breed. Remember that Pointer mixes will inherit traits from both parents, including health issues.
- Bloat affects many large breeds of dog. You can prevent bloat by feeding small amounts, using a bowl at ground level, and encouraging slow eating. You should also avoid exercising your dog after it has just eaten.
- Hip dysplasia occurs where the hip joint is malformed, causing lameness and pain as the dog matures. Ensure that both pup’s parents have been hip scored, achieving results better than the breed mean of 10.
- Elbow dysplasia is a similar condition to hip dysplasia but affects the elbow joints.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a condition that causes blindness in several pedigree dog breeds, including Pointers. Check with the breeder that your pup’s parents are both clear to make sure that he won’t inherit the condition. For these tests to be current, they should have been taken within a year of your puppy’s birth.
Pointers usually live for between 10 and 15 years.
Pointer Mixes
Two pure-bred dogs are crossed to create designer or mixed breed dogs. Breeders hope to combine the best assets of each to produce the perfect family pet.
Labrador Pointer Mix
The Labrador Pointer mix is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Pointer. This mix is a sweet-tempered, intelligent, loyal breed that makes a great family pet.
However, these pups are not couch potatoes!
Both breeds are athletic working dogs that require lots of exercise and play to keep them happy. Additionally, this mix is extremely easy to train and thrive on having work to do.
These are large dogs, growing to around 23 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 50 and 85 pounds. So, you need to live in a large house with plenty of outside space.
The Boxer Pointer Mix
A Boxer Pointer cross isn’t especially common, but you may come across one in a rescue center.
This crossbreed is large and energetic, sometimes bordering on hyper! That means you’ll need a home with plenty of space inside and out to keep this pup happy.
The Boxer Pointer mix is suited to an outdoor household that engages in family walks or frequent visits to the countryside and beach. These pups are trainable but note that they can be willful and will go their own way if not socialized and educated from an early age.
Boingle
The intriguingly named Boingle is a cross between a Pointer and a Beagle.
The Boingle is a medium-sized dog with a sweet and playful personality. These pups love being around people, including kids.
The Boingle’s coat is usually short, but they do tend to shed moderately all year round.
They are energetic dogs that love to play and are easy to train and enjoy learning new things, including tricks!
Set aside plenty of time to groom and exercise your Boingle if you choose this cross breed as your new four-legged friend.
Pudelpointer
The Pudelpointer is a cross between a Pointer and a Poodle and recognized as a breed by the AKC.
These pups originated in Germany. They are genetically sound and healthy, although the breed can be prone to hip dysplasia, so you must make sure that your puppy and his/her parents have been successfully hip scored by a qualified vet.
The Pudelpointer’s coat ranges from smooth and short, wire-haired, or rough and comes in colors ranging from light brown to jet black. Some have small white markings. These pups are seasonal shedders and require regular, weekly grooming with an occasional bath to keep them looking good.
The Pudelpointer is a hunting breed and as such needs lots of regular exercise. Pups enjoy playing in a fenced backyard or walking several times a day. They are also very trainable and happy to learn tricks!
In addition, Pudelpointers love water. Activities that can be a brilliant way of providing exercise for your dog include sports such as agility, rally, and obedience.
Leanne says
We have a female dog that is half German Wirehaired Pointer and half Boykin Spaniel. She is a striking and graceful animal that suits our lives perfectly. Most of the day she spends outside where she almost flies over our forty acre property, through the woods and over the fields. In the evenings and at night, she sprawls and slumbers peacefully without commotion. She is affectionate and fun. Gets along famously with our other dogs. Though we have had a Boykin before, we had not owned a pointer. I would say our girl has more the look of her pointer sire except she is solid brown or liver like her Boykin dam. We love and enjoy her thoroughly.
Peter says
Hi.
I’ve just fostered a Pointer / Jack Russell mix , rescued from Spain. He is 10 months old and so cute with the markings and colour of the Jack Russell, combined with big floppy ears of the Pointer . He’s in the settling in process but is very friendly and loves attention. He has a favourite ball and wants to play constantly and won’t be without it even to the point of putting it in his food bowl while having his dinner. . . Lucky he has dry mix !, He knows a couple of commands like sit, stay , but needs more training for recall although he seems to get it right when there’s a treat involved . I’m thinking there’s a language barrier issue !
Jess says
We adopted a GSP/German Shepherd mix. He is something! So smart, loyal, sweet, energetic, and will run for days! So quick, and has gotten away from us a few times. He runs as fast as he can around the neighborhood, but comes right back if you don’t chase him (thinks it is a game if you run after him). He is super tall. Also loves to jump and counter surf… Still a work in progress! Super awesome with our little girls, but needs to cuddle on his terms. If you get in his space he will let you know with a growl, but it’s always in warning. A great lesson for our girls to understand what a dog is telling you! They grew up with two labs so this is quite a difference. We love him bunches, but be ready for training and patience with a GSP mix!
Leah says
Our Pointer mix is a wild child. I’ve never seen a dog run as fast as this one. All four feet can come off the ground at once. Maybe mixed with a greyhound??We adopted her when she was 4 months old. She’s now 4 years. We have a few acres of land for her to roam and run. She LOVES to chase the deer off of our property, she hunts/digs and points at moles, chases rabbits and squirrels, she can’t stand for doves or robins to be in the yard, enjoys chewing sticks and bones, doesn’t care for strangers (barks ferociously) and will also chase the car down our driveway. She only allows us petting her on her own terms, not super cuddly unless she’s sleepy. We love our girl. 🙂
Christina says
I have a boingle. Gsp/beagle mix. He is such a sweet dog…. has tons and tons of energy. I am a person whom is always at home & I’ve noticed this is a must for him. My pup follows me everywhere & also accompanies me when I visit family. He constantly wants to play all day, requires all of my attention, & gets jealous when im speaking to others. He takes these moments, whether in person or on call, & has to be right in the middle. He is an amazing dog who is very loyal…. but unless u can devote all of your time to a gsp mix, it prob wouldn’t b the best dog for u.
Val Berg says
We just adopted a pointer lab mix from a shelter. His previous owner abused him. He was hand shy but is coming out of it. We’ve been working with him during the month we’ve had him. He is still Leary of strangers. He is very clingy and wants to be near me all the time. I absolutely love him. He is very sweet and wants to please me.
Valerie says
Hi,
I was just wondering what his energy level is like. I’m looking at this breed for my next dog. I used to have a black lab and he was a great dog.
Thanks,
Valerie
Shawntelle Pendagast says
We have a boingle she is a sweet heart and loves too cuddle she is a good guard dog. She alerts us to everything. She finally hit a year. I wish we could get her to point on command. She likes to point at flys during the summer. She is so happy and playful. I love it.
Turner says
My pointer mix was rescued off the road looks almost 100% pointer. He is gun shy but loves tracking & pointing! He’s energetic but also a love able couch potato he respects cows/horses wants to play with cats but squirrels annoy him! Lol He’s the best companion nice to all young or old but doesn’t care if ppl pet him or not he’s his own fan. Very smart & I swear he knows my moves before I decide. Had him 6 years & wish he’d be here 60 more.
Christine Lynch says
We have a rescue pointer mix. We got him at about 11 weeks old. He is very bity at night especially when he needs to go out. So far we have delt with a GI parasite, head wobbling still not sure where or what it is. And now a urinary track infection. He is a very loving dog but also when he doesn’t wanted petted he lets you know. He doesn’t like baths and he gets sick on long car rides. But serms to be doing better with them. I am in my 60’s and I’m glad I have my sons around to help me with him. I have thought about giving him up because of the biting but then he can be so sweet to.
Hitch says
We have a Pointador (pointer/lab cross). I am in my 60s and have had a dogs all my life, this is the best dog I have ever had. We live on a small farm so she has plenty of room to roam but always stays within ear shot. She protects her turf from fox, coons, snakes, etc. She never harasses the livestock and seems to know they are part of the family in need of her protection. She will solicit a good belly rub but is not clingy. She is not a good watch dog as she welcomes all people visitors even kids. She has been known to swipe a kids snack from time to time. She is ten years old and turning gray. I wish I could clone her.
Carole Gernett says
We have a sweet terrier/pointer mix named Lily she is a very needy pup but we give her exercise and a big backyard to run in. Surprisingly she gets along with my cats.