The Pointer is bred primarily for sport afield; he should unmistakably look and act the part. Th ideal sppecimen gives the immediate impression of compact power and agile grace; the head noble, proudly carried; the expression intelligent and alert; the muscular body bespeaking both staying power and dash. Here is an animal whose every moment shows him to be a wide-awake, hard-driving hunting dog possessing stamina, courage, and the desire to go. And in his expression are the loyalty and devotion of a true friend of man.

Temperament

The Pointer's even temperament and alert good sense make him a congenial companion both in the field and in the home. He should be dignified, yet showing at all times a responsive attitude.

Head

Skull long and proportionally wide, but indicating length rather than width. Slight furrow between the eyes, cheeks cleanly chiseled. A pronounced stop midway between mostrils and occuput. Muzzle long, in the same plane as the skull. Jaws ending level and square, with scissors or even bite. The flews clean. Nostrils large, spongy, widely open. Ears -- Set on at eye level. When hanging naturally, they should reach just below the lower jaw, close to the head, with little or no folding. They should be somewhat pointed at the tip -- never rounded -- and soft and thin in leather. Eyes -- Of medium size, rounded, pleasant in expression and the darker the better.

Neck

Long, dry, muscular and slightly arched, springing cleanly from the shoulders.

Shoulders

Long, thin, and sloping. The top of blades close together.

Front

Elbows well down, directly under the withers and truly parallel, so as to work just clear of the body. Forelegs straight and with oval bone. Knee joint never to knuckle over. Pasterns of moderate length, perceptibly finer in bone than the leg, and slightly slanting. Chest, deep rather than wide, must not hinder free action of forelegs. The breastbone bold, without being unduly prominent. The ribs well sprung, descending as low as the elbow-point.

Back

Strong and solid, with only a slight rise from croup to top of shoulders. Loin of moderate length, powerful and slightly arched. Croup falling only slightly to base of tail. Tuck-up should be apparent, but not exaggerated.

Tail

Heavier at the root, gradually tapering to a fine point. Length no greater than to reach to the hock joint. Carried straight, ideally on a level with the back.

Hindquarters

Muscular and powerful, with great propelling leverege. Thighs long and well-developed. Stifles well bent. The hocks clean and parallel. Diced angulation is the mark of power and endurance.

Feet

Oval, with long, closely-set, arched toes, well padded, and deep.

Coat

Short, dense, smooth with a sheen.

Color

Liver, lemon, black, orange; either in combination with white or solid-colored. A good Pointer cannot be a bad color. In the darker colors, the nose should be black or brown; in the lighter shades it may be lighter or flesh-colored.

Gait

Smooth, frictionless, with a powerful hindquarters' drive. The head should be carried high, the nostrils wide, the tail moving from side to side rhythmically with the pace, giving the impression of a well-balanced, strongly-built hunting dog capable of top speed combined with great stamina.

Balance and Size

Balance, over-all symmetry, is much more important in the Pointer than size. It is just as vital in a dog bred for field work as it is in an athlete or a race horse, and for the same reasons: it indicates muscular co-ordination, endurance, and an equilibrium of power. Whether large or small, a well put-together Pointer, "smooth all over", is to be preferred to an uneven one with contrasting good and bad points. Provided there is balance, considerable variation in size and weight is permissible.

General Appearance -- Lack of true Pointer type. Hound or terrier characteristics.

Temperament -- Timidity, unruliness.

Head -- Blocky or apple head. Short or snipy muzzle or frog face. Bulging cheeks or pendulous flews. Lack of stop, down-face, Roman nose. Undershot or overshot. Small or dry nostrils. Ears -- Low set, round, heavy, folded, leathery or hound ears. Eyes -- Light, hard, almond, or staring eyes.

Neck -- Ewe neck. Throatiness. Short, thick neck.

Shoulders -- Loaded or bossy shoulders. Set wide apart at top. Straight shoulders, no slope.

Front -- Elbows turned either in or out. Forelegs knuckled over. Straight pasterns, terrier front. Bone of forelgs coarse, fine, or round. Narrow chested, shallow, shelly, pigeon-breasted. Chest too wide, resulting in elbows out. Ribs too flat or too barrelled.

Back -- Roach or sway back. Unbalanced length of body. Cobbiness. Steep rise, or none at all, in topline. Sagging or long, thin loin. Croup falling away too sharply.

Tail -- Rat tail. Set on too high or too low. Carried between the legs, or carried high, flagpole tail.

Hindquarters -- Straight stifles. Cow hocks. Lack of angulation or straight in stifle. Any suggestion of weakness in hindquarters.

Feet -- Cat-foot. Thin or soft pads. Splayed feet. Flat toes.

Coat -- Long hair or curl. Soft or silky coat. Color -- Weak or washed-out colors. Light or flesh-colored nose in a dark-colored dog. Butterfly nose.

Gait -- Crossing-over, sprawling or side-tracking. Stepping too high in front -- the hackney gait.

Head	10
Ears	3
Eyes	4
Neck	5
Shoulders	8
Front	6
Back	4
Tail	5
Hindquarters	15
Feet	9
Coat and color	5
Gait	6
Balance and true Pointer type	20
TOTAL	100