Just thought I'd add a little more, re the history of the Pointer.(Sorry haven't figured out the cut and paste thing!)
Pointers are thought to be one of the oldest sporting breed, seen in paintings dating from the 1500's. It is generally though that pointing and setting dogs originated in Europe. Hounds and pointing dogs were called brach (braque). When they exactly came to England is hard to pin point. There are records in the 16th Century stating that the Duke of Nothumberland and at the same time the Earl of Surrey were the first the train setting type dogs.
It has been established that 'true' pointing dogs were introduced to England in 1700. This is about the time of the War of the Spanish Succession. It is thought that British Army officers serving in this war, were so impressed with the pointing dogs they saw in Spain, during the 9 years spent there, they returned home with the breed. It can also be established that most other pointing breeds have come from the same source, Spain.
The Spanish Pointer, was a slow but accurate worker. But as gun technology improved (becoming faster to reload) a faster dog was required. And this is where the English breeders came to the fore. They blended the Spanish Pointer creating the dog we know today. It is thought, inititially this blending was done by selective breeding not by crossing. Crossing did happen later on down the track during the 19th Century.
