I love male Pointers. You just can’t beat them when they’re on form, and pushing the envelope like only a Pointer can. They provide their own challenges to a trainer, and a good trainer, who understands what a Pointer really is, will harness these characteristics and mould a formidable hunting machine. But then there are females… and I will speak for my females here. They can do it all a lot sooner, a lot easier, and in a manageable manner that suits most hunters.
With my guiding being the majority of my livelihood, I have been making careful notes over the past few years that I have kept on hand when assessing breeding options and individual dogs. The females carry my team as they find birds all the time, and do it with ease and an almost lack of handling on my part is required. Which is great when i am engaging with clients in the field. But they do break down a lot easier than males, and thus have to be managed carefully. Even the hardest female will eventually break down in the mountains for a week of guiding and hunting. Particularly the harsh but beautiful Barkly East mountains we operate out of. But males I find, just don’t break down as easily. Not that it’s an impossibility, a male still can, but they can push a lot further and harder I find until they do. And anyone who knows me half well, or has spent time with me and my dogs afield, knows how meticulously and carefully I manage my dogs. They eat the best of the best diet, probiotics, and all natural supplementation, and I am downright pedantic with their upkeep, maintenance and management. But even with all of these carefully managed aspects in play, females break down. Is it a hormonal difference due to testosterone being present in the males? I think that is a plausible explanation and hypothesis. Hardier physiques, musculature, tendons and bones. It is interesting nonetheless. I love my females. I truly do. They are often the lifeblood of every trip, and form the backbone of my kennel and hard work, but I enjoy these discussions and topics as I find them incredibly fascinating and educational.
Ever the student and eager to learn and understand more. If we think we know it all, we will never know more. And maybe we never ever really do arrive… that’s the gift I think.
Always chasing the horizon,
Chris.