Pointer is a dog used to hunt quail and other game birds. The dog is called pointer because it stops as still as a statue when it smells a bird, and points by facing the direction of the bird, often with one front paw lifted and its tail held out stiffly behind. The pointer is classed as a sporting dog and as a field dog, along with setters, spaniels, and retrievers. Setters, spaniels, and retrievers usually have long hair, but the pointer has a short, smooth coat. The pointer stands from 23 to 28 inches (58 to 71 centimeters) high at the shoulder and weighs from 45 to 75 pounds (20 to 34 kilograms). Its coat is white with patches of lemon, liver (reddish-brown), black, or orange. The pointer has speed and a keen sense of smell. It is popular in America and England for hunting and field trials.
