Pointer Breed Magazine - Showsight

“a maTure pOinTer in gOOd cOndiTiOn ShOuld have a DEPTH OF BRISKET THAT REACHES TO THE ELBOW...”

that crouches more often than not when pointing, so some flexibility is allowed for that in the elbow area. Th e forechest in a mature adult, while not bulging or massive, should be convex and deep, but not protruding and wide (“...breastbone bold, without being unduly prominent”). Bone in the legs is oval-shaped, rather than round. Visualize more of a sighthound leg shape as opposed to a bloodhound leg shape. Feet are also oval shaped, not tightly cat-footed, nor splayed. Pasterns should be slightly sloping, not straight and never knuckling over (baby puppies go through a knuckling over stage, but they usually grow out of it). Straight pasterns often accompany straight shoulders and cat feet. Side gait is smooth and without bounce or hackney action. Th e rear drives power- fully. Th e angulation of the rear assem- bly is more moderate than some sporting breeds and should be in balance with the front (“ Th ighs long and well developed. Stifles well bent”). Lack of rear angula- tion used to be common in this breed,

but that has improved over the decades (“Decided angulation is the mark of power and endurance”). “Decided angulation” describes a discernible bend of stifle in balance with the shoulder angulation, as opposed to the appearance of a baseball bat as the rear leg. It does NOT mean exces- sive bend and length of stifle approaching that of a German Shepherd! Th is breed should not be judged generi- cally with the “more is better” mind set, as an extremely sloping topline with overan- gulated rear assembly and long loin results more in show-ring drama rather than actual breed type. Th is is a moderate breed with emphasis on proper build for proper results as a tireless hunting dog. Th e beauty of this breed is enhanced by its almost limitless color variations. Because they can be liver, lemon, black or orange, open marked, heavily blanketed, lightly or heavily ticked, with spots and dots and patches anywhere and everywhere, there are never going to be any two Pointers EXACTLY alike! Pointers are EQUALLY

194 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , O CTOBER 2014

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