Pudelpointer Dog Breed

The Pudelpointer comes from two purebred dogs. These dogs are not typically considered a hybrid, but they are not recognized as a breed either. They are hunting dogs whose many talents are admirable, however. They are not for first-time dog owners, and they are best for hunters who have experience with such dogs. They make good enough companions, but if they don't have a job and a lot of daily exercise, they can become upset.

PROS

• Very intelligent
• Highly versatile
• Very cute "beard"!
• Few health concerns
• Extremely attentive
• Prized among hunters
• Faster than Labrador Retrievers
• Works and lives well with other dogs
• Comfortable working in water and wet environments

CONS

• Extremely rare
• Not a purebred dog
• Can get separation anxiety
• Expensive to adopt and keep
• Not good for apartment-living
• Needs a great amount of exercise

This a large multi-purpose hunting dog whose capabilities and appearance make it a sought-after dog despite his rarity. There is a lot of Pudelpointer information now available, and there continues to be more. Breeders continue to hone this dog's many appealing traits — such as their strong sense of smell, ability to retrieve animals without harming them and their manner of working in water and on land unswervingly.

The Pudelpointer is a wonderfully intelligent dog that has a lot of potential for the right person. Training must be done constantly, carefully and with a goal of keeping the dog intrigued. They are eager to learn and to please, but they must enjoy what they are learning even as you show an equal interest. They are relatively easy to train for experienced trainers.

Pudelpointers are loyal dogs with a desire to be part of the family. They prefer to be with you all the time, and if not hunting then by the fire afterward. They play well enough with kids and will enjoy the activity and attention that understanding children will provide.

As these dogs have immense stamina, they are highly energetic and their exercise needs must be met even when hunting. Long daily walks (when not working in the woods) are needed, and significant visits to the dog park are also very good. Failing to provide constant outlets for this dog's energy will result in very bad behavior.

The Pudelpointer was produced to fulfill the demand for multi-purpose dogs desired by the growing middle class who could not afford stables of specialized hunting dogs. The Industrial Revolution had given rise to this emergent class, but for them, owning hunting dogs was expensive. The need for a single dog that could perform many duties prompted a number of then-new types of dogs, and it was at this time that Pudelpointer history began.

In 1881, German breeder Baron von Zedlitz worked to conceive a dog that could track, point and hunt on land and in water. Von Zedlitz, who wrote about dogs under the pen name Hegewald, started with an English Pointer named Tell, a dog that had once belonged to Kaiser Frederick III. He mated that dog to his own Molly, a German Wasserpudel and a breed that is now extinct. He eventually used several Pudels and close to 100 Pointers.

In the end, von Zedlitz never produced a Pudelpointer, but he inspired others to eventually do so. Because of the social environment, breeders were secretive about their work — especially those who sought to make multi-purpose dogs for the non-upper-classes. They didn't want to be perceived as unpatriotic, and so they didn't disclose much about their work. As such, there tends to be little known publicly about the Pudelpointer's development.

What is known is that the world wars apparently interfered with further development. In 1956, Sigbot Winterhelt, former secretary to the Pudelpointer Club of Germany and a world-famous trainer (whose stage name was Bodo), exported a Pudelpointer to Canada to further develop the dogs. The idea had been floated by a Toronto businessman named Douglas Hume, and Winterhelt obliged by taking Cati von der Waldhof. The move was the beginning of the North American version of the Pudelpointer and the establishment of the Winterhelle Kennel. Together, these two men founded the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) in order to continue developing the dogs.

The Pudelpointer is a tracking, pointing, and retrieval dog. They tend to not excel in any one of these aspects but are nevertheless notable for being more than able in all their work. They are comfortable working on land or in water, and they are nearly tireless. Despite their strength, they are gentle whether retrieving fowl or playing with kids.

After a long, hard day in the field and stream, they will love being a family companion. They should be socialized at a very early age, especially if there are other non-canine pets in the home. They have a very strong prey drive, and while they can be well-trained to harmlessly retrieve downed or injured prey, the cat may not like such activities as being in the dog's gentle jaws.

Pudelpointers are easy to train, but it must be done very early on as well as with a calm hand while providing great interest for the dog. The Pudelpointer temperament is one that must be managed with kid gloves, and essential to bringing out the best in your dog is consistency and reward-based training.

The Pudelpointer is one of those dogs with no known specific health concerns aside from those that large dogs deal with: hip dysplasia, skin conditions, and vision problems. These tend to occur later in the dog's life. There is always the possibility of work-related injuries, however, as these hunting dogs will go fearlessly into the water and brush to retrieve prey.

You should be sure to get the regular annual checkups and when your dog comes of age for them, the certifications to check for hip and eye problems. The average lifespan for a Pudelpointer is approximately 14 years.