Breed a poodle with an English Pointer and you get a Pudelpointer. These dogs originated in Germany back in the early 1880s. The word poodle is written as pudel in German. Breeders wanted an intelligent dog that could swim like a poodle and hunt like an English Pointer. This crossbreed is friendly, energetic, and eager to please its owner.
These smart, gentle dogs are great for families with children. Keep in mind, they need a lot of exercise each day, so a home with a large backyard is an ideal setup for this canine.
3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Pudelpointer
| Pros! | Cons! |
|---|---|
| An easy grooming routine This dog needs to be brushed just once per week. However, if a dog goes for a walk in the woods, it may need to be brushed afterward to remove twigs, dirt, burs, etc. from its coat. | A prey-driven dog Because this dog was bred for hunting game, it must be monitored around the small pets (gerbils, hamsters, rabbits, birds) in a household. They don’t know the animal is a pet. When they see a small animal, their instincts tell them to chase it! |
| Low shedding Though they are not strictly hypoallergenic, Pudelpointers shed a low amount of hair throughout the year. They are known as seasonal shedders, meaning they shed a little more hair at the beginning of the spring and fall seasons. | Needs lots of exercise Pudelpointers are used to running, jumping, trotting, and exploring. They need at least 60 minutes of exercise per day to stay healthy. |
| Child-friendly Though these dogs were bred to accompany their owner on hunting trips, they do well with families with young children. | Not apartment-friendly These dogs are not suitable for apartment dwellers. They require a lot of space to move around. |
A Pudelpointer in a mountain creek on a warm and sunny day.
©Chamois huntress/Shutterstock.com
Pudelpointer Size and Weight
Pudelpointers are medium to large dogs with a coat of medium-length hair. Both males and females can grow to a height of 26 inches. In addition, both males and females can weigh as much as 70 pounds, full-grown. A 7-week-old Pudelpointer weighs around 8 pounds. These dogs are considered fully grown at 18 months to 2 years old.
Pudelpointer Common Health Issues
Pudelpointers have some common health issues owners should bear in mind. One of those is hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia occurs when the ball and socket of the hip joint don’t fit together properly. A dog with this condition may hop, limp, or run awkwardly. There are a few treatments for this condition, including physical therapy, surgery, weight loss, and supplements.
Another common health issue is bloat. Bloat occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with air, food, or water, causing this organ to twist. This is a serious condition and can only be relieved by a veterinarian. Some symptoms of bloat include a swollen abdomen, a lot of drooling, retching, and restlessness.
A third common health issue of this dog is an ear infection. This dog’s cute, floppy ears hang down. So, they can easily get wet, take on dirt, twigs, burs, and other debris, leading to an infection. Redness, excessive wax, and drainage can be signs of an ear infection. Of course, these are painful for a dog. A veterinarian can prescribe medicine to cure an ear infection. Plus, an owner can take steps to make sure their dog’s ears stay clean to prevent infection.
Pudelpointer Temperament and Behavior
The personality of a Pudelpointer is best described as friendly. These dogs enjoy spending time with their family, no matter the activity. Pudelpointers are ideal for families with kids who love to hike, visit the park, camp, and otherwise spend countless hours outdoors!
One of the most notable traits of this crossbreed is intelligence. Though they can sometimes have an independent streak, they are quick to learn their obedience training lessons. When it’s out hunting for a game with its owner, this dog is focused on its task. Alternatively, when at home on the sofa with family members, this dog’s behavior is gentle and sweet.
How to Take Care of a Pudelpointer
Taking the best possible care of this pet starts with learning as much about its health issues, diet, exercise needs, and more. Whether a family gets a puppy from a breeder or an adult Pudelpointer from a rescue organization, knowing all about this dog benefits everyone!
The Best Dog Food for Pudelpointers
Pudelpointer puppies and adult dogs need different types of nutrients to maintain good health. Check out some dietary considerations for both puppies and adults. Also, remember that dogs who bloat need their owners to closely monitor portion sizes and avoid timing meals too close to exercise.
Pudelpointer puppy food: Lean protein in this puppy’s diet supplies it with amino acids that support the healthy growth of bones, muscles, skin, and nails. Protein can help a puppy to start out with strong bones and possibly defend against the development of hip dysplasia. Fat gives it the energy to run and play. Vitamin A supports healthy eyes and a strong immune system. Vitamin C and E are antioxidants. Calcium contributes to a puppy’s strong teeth and bones.
Pudelpointer adult dog food: A limited amount of fat in an adult dog’s diet helps it to have an adequate amount of energy while not adding excess weight. Protein is necessary for healthy muscles, cartilage, and joints. Vitamin B12 supports a dog’s nervous system. Vitamin C and selenium are important antioxidants. Fiber helps an adult dog maintain proper digestion.
Pudelpointer Maintenance and Grooming
How much does a Pudelpointer shed? Though Pudelpointers aren’t hypoallergenic, they shed a very low amount of hair. However, the shedding increases temporarily at the change of season in the fall and spring.
A slicker brush is a valuable tool for grooming the medium-length hair of this crossbreed dog. It removes loose hair and tangles while smoothing out the rest of its coat. These dogs should be brushed once a week. A grooming glove is great to use on this pet’s face, legs, and tail.
Cleaning a Pudelpointer’s ears is another part of its grooming routine. Their ears hang down, so they pick up moisture, dirt, and dust. When this debris builds up, it can cause an ear infection. So, it’s a good idea to clean the underside of their ears with a soft cloth and a mild cleaning solution designed for this purpose.
Sometimes these dogs suffer from environmental allergies. They may be allergic to pollen, dust, or mold. Red patches of skin, dryness, and excessive scratching or biting of its skin are all signs of an environmental allergy. A vet can help a Pudelpointer owner determine the cause of the allergy and the appropriate treatment.
Pudelpointer Training
Though these dogs are intelligent, they can sometimes have an independent streak. This can make obedience training a little difficult for an owner. Training this crossbreed pup indoors can minimize distractions. Also, using preferred treats and plenty of verbal praise can help this canine to quickly take in each lesson.
Pudelpointer Exercise
A Pudelpointer needs around 60 minutes of exercise each day to stay both emotionally and physically healthy. Allowing this canine to run in the woods, a local park, or in a field, are great ways to give it vigorous exercise. Before playing or even walking off-leash, the dog should be trained to come back to you when called in case a safety risk arises. Taking this pet to the dog park or playing fetch in the backyard are other ideas for exercise.
This crossbreed canine is not a good choice for apartment living because it needs a lot of space to move around.
Pudelpointer Puppies
One thing to remember with Pudelpointer puppies is that they are born with the desire to chase down prey. So, even a small puppy may try to go after the family’s rabbit, bird, etc. It’s important to monitor their activity even as puppies.
Pudelpointers and Children
Though they were bred for hunting, these dogs are gentle and patient with children. This dog is a great choice for families with or without kids.
Dogs Similar to Pudelpointers
Other dogs similar to Pudelpointers are Labrador retrievers, bloodhounds, and Irish setters.
- Labrador Retriever: These dogs and Pudelpointers are about the same weight and are known for their friendly temperament. One difference is that Pudelpointers point when they see prey, and Labrador retrievers move to drive prey out of its hiding place.
- Bloodhound: Both of these dogs have a gentle temperament and love to be around their families. But bloodhounds weigh much more than Pudelpointers.
- Irish Setter: These dogs are around the same height and weight. They are both very energetic as well. However, an Irish setter’s coat requires much more grooming attention than a Pudelpointer’s.
