The Old Danish Pointer was selectively bred by a Danish farmer named Morten Bak in the early 18th century. He accomplished this by crossing eight generations of Spanish gypsy dogs with local farm dogs. Initially, their offspring—a collection of piebald white-and-brown dogs—were known as Bakhounds in acknowledgement of the Dane’s pioneering work. By the mid-20th century, the Old Danish Pointer was on the brink of extinction. However, an extensive breeding effort prevented that from occurring. The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized the breed, specifically as a sporting dog, in 1884.
In addition to its unique white-and-brown coat, the Old Danish Pointer is well known for the clear physical distinctions between males and females. Males have a height of 21 to 24 inches (54 to 60 centimeters) from the withers; females stand at around 20 to 22 inches (50 to 56 centimeters). Additionally, males are generally heavier; while they weigh around 66 to 67 pounds (30 to 35 kilograms), females weigh around 57 to 68 pounds (26 to 31 kilograms). Other physical characteristics — regardless of gender — include a short wide head, medium-sized and dark brown eyes, wide low-hanging ears, and an overall robust appearance. The dog breed also has a bit of loose dewlap — a longitudinal flap of skin hanging beneath its lower jaw.
Personality
The Old Danish Pointer is known as a very family friendly dog, with displays of courage and determination. Females in particular tend to be livelier and more hot-tempered than the males. The dog breed is very active outdoors, as such an environment triggers its hunting roots. In fact, regular exercise and daily walks are greatly encouraged. By contrast, it is very quiet and stable indoors. Old Danish Pointers are not particularly suited for small places. Thus, owning one in an apartment or keeping it in a tiny yard is not recommended.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 12 – 13 years |
| Nicknames: | Old Danish Chicken Dog, Old Danish Bird Dog, Gammel Dansk Hønsehunds |
Old Danish Pointer Build Information
In addition to its unique white-and-brown coat, the Old Danish Pointer is well known for the clear physical distinctions between males and females. Males have a height of 21 to 24 inches (54 to 60 centimeters) from the withers; females stand at around 20 to 22 inches (50 to 56 centimeters). Additionally, males are generally heavier; while they weigh around 66 to 67 pounds (30 to 35 kilograms), females weigh around 57 to 68 pounds (26 to 31 kilograms). Other physical characteristics — regardless of gender — include a short wide head, medium-sized and dark brown eyes, wide low-hanging ears, and an overall robust appearance. The dog breed also has a bit of loose dewlap — a longitudinal flap of skin hanging beneath its lower jaw.
| Size: | Medium – Large |
Behaviour and Personality
The Old Danish Pointer is known as a very family friendly dog, with displays of courage and determination. Females in particular tend to be livelier and more hot-tempered than the males. The dog breed is very active outdoors, as such an environment triggers its hunting roots. In fact, regular exercise and daily walks are greatly encouraged. By contrast, it is very quiet and stable indoors. Old Danish Pointers are not particularly suited for small places. Thus, owning one in an apartment or keeping it in a tiny yard is not recommended.
| Activity Level: | Very active |
| Affection Level: | Affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Very friendly |
Appearance
The coat of the Old Danish Pointer is short and dense. So, it doesn’t require a lot of grooming. However, an occasional brushing might be necessary to eliminate shed hairs.
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | Low maintenance |
Old Danish Pointer Common Health Conditions
The Old Danish Pointer is prone to suffer from muscle fatigue, a genetic condition characterized by the declining ability of muscles to generate force. Owners can have a DNA test conducted for this disease. Apart from that, though, there are no known major health issues for this dog breed.
Old Danish Pointer Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
The term “hønsehund” is formed with the Danish words for “hen” (hoense) and “dog” (hund). That’s because the breed was used as a “pointer,” a type of dog that aims its muzzle at the game that it’s hunting. The Old Danish Pointer is a medium-sized or large dog breed, which is known as “gammel dansk hønsehunds” in its country of origin (Denmark). Other alternate names include Old Danish Chicken Dog and Old Danish Bird Dog. This particular dog breed is perhaps best known for its distinctive white coat with brown markings.
| Training: | Easy to train |
