The English pointer can either be bred for appearance, resulting in acceptable show dogs for American Kennel Club (AKC) shows, or it can be bred with a strong emphasis for field trials and hunting ability. Whichever avenue a breeder takes, they will have to purchase the best breeding stock available as either adults or puppies.
If puppies are purchased for breeding future show dogs, the owner must be committed to showing the dog in AKC shows to establish the dogs confirmation. If breeding will focus on field trials and hunting ability, then the breeder must be willing to train the puppies and compete before breeding.
Instructions
1. If breeding for field trials and hunting, choose adults or puppies that offer ideal conformation, an excellent nose and a pedigree that reflects a strong field background. The pedigree should also display a vast array of field competition titles. Attend as many field trials as your region offers. Look closely at the dogs that are competing, talk to English pointer breeders and become familiar with the various breeding lines. Compete with both the sire and dam in field trials prior to breeding to obtain field titles.
2. If breeding to compete in AKC shows, the pedigree should reflect a lineage of dogs that have achieved championships in the show ring. Familiarize yourself with the AKC breed standard for the English pointer. If breeding a litter of puppies to compete in the AKC breed ring, then show both the sire and dam in numerous AKC shows prior to breeding to obtain a championship title. Many English pointers are handled by their owners in the show ring at an AKC show, but other people prefer to have a professional dog handler show the dog until a championship is won.
3. Have both the sire and dam checked for hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is common in English pointers and is genetic. No dog with any degree of hip dysplasia should ever be bred. Also, have both the sire and dam x-rayed for elbow dysplasia. Elbow dysplasia is common in English pointers, and dogs who exhibit the disease should never be bred or it is likely to be passed to the puppies.
4. Speak with the breeders of the sire and dam you will be using to rule out epilepsy in the line. Research the line. Epilepsy is believed to be hereditary and is common in the English pointer. The sire and dam should not have epilepsy. Any dogs with epilepsy or a family history of the disorder should never be bred.
5. Check the English pointers' eyes before breeding. Many pointers suffer from cherry eye. This is prolapse of the eye gland in the corner of the eye. It is genetic. No dog that suffers from cherry eye should ever be bred. The condition can be corrected surgically.
6. Breed the English pointer after two years of age. If breeding a litter of puppies to show in an AKC show, make sure both the sire and dam have achieved their AKC championships. This reflects they are both perfect representations of the breed and will be able to produce puppies that fit the breed standard set forth by the AKC. If breeding a litter of puppies for hunting and field trials, make sure that both the sire and dam have achieved their beginning field trial titles in competition.
7. Breed the English pointer female when she comes into season. Females are usually fertile after day nine of the heat cycle. This is the time frame in which she will accept a male.
8. Count the days from the first day that breeding took place. Dog gestation is usually 63 days. Be sure to take the English pointer for regular prenatal visits with your veterinarian.
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