Is pointing taught or innate?
It is innate in the breeds selected for it - you see it in puppies at play. What is trained is steadiness: staying frozen until released, not the freezing itself.
Hunting dogs
Pointing Trials
The sport of the pointing breeds: the dog searches wide, and when it scents game it freezes - body stretched, one paw raised, tail in line - and holds until the hunter reaches it.
About the discipline
What Pointing Trials are
Pointing is one of the most striking behaviours humans have selected in dogs: instead of chasing the prey, the animal freezes and indicates it, waiting.
Pointing trials assess first the search - wide, fast, using the wind intelligently - and then the quality of the point: firmness, posture and, above all, steadiness.
The hardest part comes next: the dog must stay frozen while the hunter approaches, flushes the game and shoots. Any premature movement is heavily penalised.
How it works in practice
What is assessed
- the width and speed of the search
- use of the wind to locate game
- the firmness and posture of the point
- steadiness as the hunter approaches
- steadiness to flush and to shot
- honouring another dog's point, in braces
- the retrieve, in trials that include it
Which dogs it suits
- pointing breeds: pointer, setter, braque, vizsla, weimaraner
- dogs with confirmed pointing instinct
- handlers with access to hunting ground
What you need
- a whistle and field clothing
- a tracking collar, on large ground
- access to game or well-populated ground
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Pointing Trials
What does honouring a point mean?
In braces, when one dog goes on point the other must stop too, even if it has not scented the game. Failing to honour is heavily penalised.
My dog is a pointing breed but does not point. Why?
Either it is too young, or it comes from a show line where the instinct has been diluted. An instinct test clarifies the situation quickly.
How is steadiness on point trained?
Starting with very short periods, where the handler approaches only a few paces and rewards stillness. Duration is increased gradually, then the closeness of the approach, then noise is added. The last element introduced is the shot, always from a long way off and brought closer over time.
The rule figures on this page come from FCI - Official Rules for International Field Trials and Working Tests. Rules change and federations differ - always check the rulebook of the competition you are entering.
From the same category
Related sports
Spaniel Trials
Quartering, flushing and retrieving.
Earthdog
Trials in artificial tunnels for terriers and dachshunds.
Working Tests for Retrievers
Retrieving trials without live game.
Blood Tracking
Following a simulated blood trail.
We do not run Pointing Trials
This page is informational. We work in mantrailing, search and rescue and preparation for the TSAC and BH exams - but if you want an honest opinion on what would suit your dog, write to us anytime.