Pointer

Height: 23 to 28 inches at shoulder

Weight: 45 to 75 pounds (males average 65 pounds, females average 55 pounds)

Coat: short and smooth

Life span: 12 to 15 years

The Pointer is instantly recognizable. From long head to finely pointed tail, his entire body suggests his purpose: to point game for the hunter. When a Pointer scents game birds he stands tall and still, one foot raised off the ground, pointing the hunter in the right direction. Before the development of guns, this was an essential skill, as birds were netted rather than shot. When shooting birds became popular, the Pointer was still needed to point and then retrieve them.

Today, the Pointer is known as the Cadillac of bird dogs, prized for his speed, ability to go all day in the field, "stand steady to wing and shot"--meaning that he holds his position as birds rise into the sky and the guns go off--and his personable nature. His love of people and short, easy-care coat make him an excellent candidate as family companion as well.

Pointer people like to say that their dogs don't consider themselves dogs but members of the family. They're sturdy and energetic enough to play all day with active children, and their alert nature makes them excellent watchdogs, sounding the alarm at anything out of the ordinary.