You should first be
aware that there are two major registries of Pointers, the AKC and the
American Field. If you wish to field trial in the American Field, your
choice may be the Field Pointer. These are registered with the FDSB and
are rather different, in general, from the AKC-registered Pointer.
Some FDSB dogs can be too much dog for the beginning dog owner to deal with, and I
don't know that I would recommend them for a first breed. If you're an
experienced field dog owner, then you know what you're looking
for.
If you're looking
for a good all-around dog, the AKC Pointers can be wonderful companions,
useful as bird dogs as well as calm, affectionate family members. They are
generally more easy to handle in the field and love living in your home. I
know that I will never own another breed!
That said, there
are some breeders who breed strictly for conformation (looks), but will
tell you that their dogs are suitable hunting companions. This is not
necessarily true, even though you MAY get a dog with field ability this
way. If you are dealing with someone who breeds "show" Pointers, you
should ask, "Do the parents have any hunting titles? Do they compete in
any field events?" Often, the answer will be "no," or possibly a "Junior
Hunter." A Junior Hunter simply requires a Pointer to use their instincts.
(The dog must find and point birds, for 4 tests, to earn its JH.) For the
record, EVERY Pointer should be able to be a Junior Hunter just on the
basis of their natural ability and instincts. Just because a dog's
parents have a JH does not mean that the parents have the ability to
produce well-mannered gun dogs with calm temperaments, nor does it tell
you anything about the trainability needed for a finished
performer.
If the parents have
no titles, you should watch them work in the field, and make sure you like
what you see. I'm quite sure there are some excellent bird dogs out there
who haven't been to any events.