Pudelpointer

A Pudelpointer is a mixed breed dog, combining a Poodle and Pointer. They are sporting dogs that are calm and sure-footed, with a high drive to work. These dogs are highly versatile and were bred to perform.

Pudelpointer Breed Overview

Originally bred in Germany in 1881, the Pudelpointer is a cross between a Poodle and a Pointer. This dog brings together the Poodle’s smarts, love of water, and eagerness to please with the Pointer’s work ethic and endurance. After the World Wars, the breed became rare; they were first introduced in the U.S. in 1956.

Pudelpointer Facts

• First bred in the 19th century in Germany
• They are a mixed breed of Poodle and Pointer (“Pudel” means “Poodle” in German).
• Like the Poodle, they love water.
• Highly versatile sporting dog with high drive to work
• Often low-shedding dogs 
• Their coats vary – they can be rough, wiry, or smooth.

How to Care for Your Pudelpointer

Here’s what you need to know about caring for the Pudelpointer, including nutrition and feeding, health and wellness, grooming and hygiene, and living with the breed.

Nutrition & Feeding

What to Feed a Pudelpointer

The best dog food to feed your Pudelpointer is a medium to large breed dog food, such as Purina Pro Plan Dog Food. You can also consider a food created specifically for highly active breeds, such as Pro Plan Sport Performance Nutrition Dog Food, which is high in protein, has moderate fat, and has vitamins and minerals.

How Much to Feed a Pudelpointer

Adult Pudelpointers can vary in size, so consult your dog’s food label or talk to your vet to determine how much to feed them. Puppies can eat smaller meals more often to prevent bloating and help with digestion. They do best with scheduled feeds instead of free feeding to help them maintain a healthy weight. Because the breed spans from medium to large in size, use a tool like the Purina Feeding Calculator to help you. It calculates the amount of food needed based on weight, activity level, age, and more.

Treats & Supplements

Treats are a great tool to use with positive reinforcement training and should be used sparingly, accounting for approximately 10% of the dog’s daily caloric intake. You can discuss supplements for your Pudelpointer with your vet, who might suggest things like joint supplements to help with hip dysplasia, a condition medium to large dogs could get as they age.

Health & Wellness

Veterinary Care

Pet owners should regularly schedule vet checkups to discuss vaccine schedules, parasite prevention, and more with the vet. Pudelpointers are genetically predisposed to epilepsy, which can cause seizures. This can be monitored by your vet. Your vet can advise you on spaying or neutering your dog, as well as on a dental care routine.

Pudelpointer Enrichment & Exercise Needs

Pudelpointers are high-energy dogs that love to exercise. They are also incredibly smart and thrive when they have a job to do, whether it be retrieving on hunts or retrieving balls while playing fetch. They excel at obedience and agility training and can learn to do tricks and play games, all of which are important activities for mental stimulation. Their Poodle genes make them excellent swimmers.

Understanding Your Pudelpointer’s Behavior

The Pudelpointer was bred to work, and they need to be stimulated mentally and physically to make them into well-mannered, happy dogs. They have strong prey drives and might not do well around small animals; a fenced-in yard is ideal to prevent them from taking off if they see something of interest. They love to train and are eager to please, something that you can incorporate into your daily routine to provide them with mental stimulation. If a Pudelpointer is not mentally and physically tired enough, it could lead to anxiety and destructive behavior.

What to Expect as Your Pudelpointer Ages

The Pudelpointer is a generally healthy dog and can live a long and full life, with an average lifespan of 14 years. Like many larger breeds, they might have arthritis or hip dysplasia as they age – something to discuss with your vet. They can also advise on when to switch them over to a senior dog food.

Grooming & Hygiene

Skin & Coat Health

Pudelpointers have a double coat that protects them while they run through woods or fields. Their coats can be wiry, rough, or smooth and short, but all three styles are generally low-maintenance and low-shedding. Regular brushing can help prevent matting. They can be bathed as needed. Unlike their cousins, the Poodle, they do not have high grooming needs or need professional grooming. Check their skin for ticks regularly.

Ear, Paw & Dental Care

Ear, paw, nail, and dental care is relatively low maintenance for this breed. They are not prone to ear infections, but their ears should regularly be checked for wax buildup and moisture. Their ears can be cleaned with a vet-approved cleaning regimen. Because they love the water, you might want to consider over-the-counter drying agents to help ensure all the water is gone. If you find the need to use this frequently, discuss the best options with your vet. Keep their nails short to prevent splitting or cracking, and create a dental care routine to prevent tartar buildup and gum disease.

Anal Gland Care

Pudelpointers should be able to naturally express their anal glands, but it’s possible they could get abscesses. If your dog is licking excessively, straining to go to the bathroom, scooting, or emitting a foul-smelling odor, call your vet to help.

Living With a Pudelpointer

Living Space

The Pudelpointer is a lively and active dog that needs a family that matches their energy. They do best with outdoorsy, active families. While they could live in an apartment with plenty of access to the outdoors and routine exercise and playtime sessions, they thrive in rural or suburban areas with a fenced-in yard.

Socialization

These intelligent dogs should be socialized early and often to instill confidence in them around unfamiliar situations and people. If socialized correctly, they can get along well with other dogs and children who can respect their lifestyle. They might not do as well with smaller animals like cats or rodents – their high prey drive is a hard instinct for them to overcome.

Climate Considerations

The Pudelpointer has a double coat, which can keep the wiry and rough-coated dogs warm and comfortable in colder climates. Smooth-haired Pudelpointers will do well in warmer climates. They should not be exposed to either extreme for long periods.

Potential Challenges

The most important thing to know about the Pudelpointer is that they are very active dogs and need a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation to thrive, and a lifestyle that supports that. They can become anxious or act out if they are not properly stimulated, which can lead to destructive behavior. Switch things up with them by taking them hiking, swimming, or to an agility course. Training and games can also help stimulate them. Pudelpointers also have a strong prey drive, which makes them inclined to chase things, including small pets. A secure, fenced-in yard can help keep them from taking off when outside. Pudelpointers should always be supervised when outside. Socialization will also go a long way in helping them get used to living with other pets, although it’s ideal that there be no other small pets in the household.

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