Pudelpointer
POO-del-poyn-ter
Germany· Germany
The Pudelpointer is a versatile German gundog created in the late 19th century by crossing Poodles with English Pointers.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Medium to Large
Exercise needs
2 hours+ per day
Home size suited to
Medium or larger
Grooming frequency
Weekly brush, hand-stripping needed
Coat length
Medium, wiry
Sheds
Low
Lifespan
13-14 years
Town or country
Country preferred
Garden size needed
Medium or larger
Where it comes from
Origins of the Pudelpointer
German hunters sought a single breed that combined the trainability and water-retrieving skill of the Poodle with the keen nose and pointing instinct of the English Pointer, resulting in a highly versatile all-round gundog for varied German terrain.
- Region
- Germany
- Climate it was bred for
- Temperate mixed woodland and farmland
- Original job
- Versatile all-round hunting dog combining pointing and retrieving ability
The long read
About the breed
Its deliberate development for trainability, scenting ability and water work produced a highly capable all-round hunting dog, equally at home pointing upland game or retrieving from water.
At home it is intelligent, calm and biddable, generally excellent with families, though its working drive means it needs consistent exercise and mental stimulation.
The breed remains most popular in Germany and among versatile hunting dog enthusiasts in North America, prized for its combination of intelligence and hardiness.
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Friendliness
3/5
How openly the Pudelpointer greets people it does not know.
Trainability
3/5
How readily the breed takes to training in an ordinary home.
Energy
3/5
How much daily exercise and stimulation the breed expects.
Barking
3/5
How vocal the breed tends to be day to day.
Grooming
3/5
How much coat work the breed needs to stay comfortable.
Suits a first-time owner
3/5
How forgiving the Pudelpointer is for someone taking on their first dog.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Skull
The Pudelpointer's skull is judged on balance rather than size — proportionate to the body, with a clean cheek and a stop typical of the breed. Coarseness or an over-refined head are both faulted.
Timeline
History & development
1881
Programme begins
German breeder Baron von Zedlitz began crossing Poodles and English Pointers to create a versatile gundog.
1890s
Type established
After around 100 crosses, the breed's characteristics were considered stable.
1956
Breed club founded
A dedicated German breed club was established to standardise the Pudelpointer.
1956
Standard published
The first official breed standard was written.
1990s
North American development
Breeders in North America developed strong working lines valued by versatile hunting dog associations.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Well-proportioned, with a deep chest and strong back.
- coat
- Harsh, wiry, weatherproof, with a dense undercoat.
- ears
- Set high, medium length, lying flat.
- eyes
- Medium-sized, dark, with an alert, intelligent expression.
- head
- Long, with a moderate stop and bushy eyebrows and beard.
- size
- Dogs 60-68cm, bitches 55-63cm
- colour
- Liver or black, sometimes with small white markings.
- temperament
- Intelligent, calm, biddable and versatile.
- general appearance
- A medium-to-large, wire-coated versatile gundog of athletic, well-balanced build.
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
Dogs like this
Pudelpointers added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
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Made for the Pudelpointer
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Pudelpointer illustration — and one everyday accessory that suits any dog.
The book
Pawpoint: The Complete Dog Breed Book
Every officially recognised breed plus the unofficial ones nobody else documents. 400+ pages, hardback, printed and shipped from the UK.
Own stock — shipped by us
Framed poster
Pudelpointer Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Pudelpointer illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
Pudelpointer Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Pudelpointer illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Pudelpointer Mug
Ceramic mug with the Pudelpointer illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Car Seatbelt Restraint
Clips any harness to a standard seatbelt buckle.
Fits any dog
Pawpoint on YouTube
Watch the full Pudelpointer video
Breed deep-dives, history and honest ownership talk. New film every week.
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