Striving to maintain the classification of English Pointer's as "The Cadillac of all Bird Dogs".

Origins of Today's English Pointers

1500s
Paintings

"Pointers are one of the oldest breeds of sporting dogs and can be seen in paintings dating from 1500." -- Edmondson and Robertshaw, 1978, The Pointer: Faber and Faber, London"

"The first likeness of a pointing-dog that I have found is a pencil sketch of a head by an Italian, Pisanello (1380-1456), which is supported by a painting attributed to Titian (1477-1576), and by a picture by Bassano (1510-1592), at Madrid. The scene of this last is laid in the Garden of Eden; and here in a corner is a "bracco" staunchly pointing partridges." -- Arkwright, 1906, The Pointer and His Predecessors



1700s
Introduction into England

"It has, however, been established beyond much doubt that the earliest introduction of the pointing dog into England would have been by about 1700. There is an early record that pointing dogs were first heard of in England about the time of Lord Peterborough's campaign in Spain in the War of the Spanish Succession. This commenced in 1704 and was ended by the Peace of Utrecht in 1713. It was in this year that the British Army returned to England, and it is thought that British officers serving with the army were so impressed with the wonderful pointing dogs of Spain during the nine years spent in that country that on their return home they brought back with them specimens of the breed." -- Edmondson and Robertshaw, 1978, The Pointer: Faber and Faber, London"




"Spanish ??? Pointer"

"(The Pointer) was for long indentified as the "Spanish" Pointer, but one still lacks documentation that can actually verify a long-held belief that he originated there. Even wealthy, dedicated William Arkwright (The Pointer and His Predecessors, 1902) who spent time and money searching Spanish archives for his magnificent book that remains the breed classic, found no support for the claim. One does not even have the support that the art of the great painters and weavers gave to the history of other Sporting breeds. Few indeed are the dogs of any kind on Spanish canvases. ... "Spanish Pointer" came into England as a name for a dog that seems to have been introduced in the late 18th century. The Elizabethans gave no hint of having known of such a one in their earlier times. Maybe introduction was made as from the time of the British armies fighting in Flanders. The pages of all dog history, right into our own time, are crammed with evidence that after wars soldiers brought home dogs as, after cruises, sailors traditionally brought home parrots. This was the period of Spanish occupation of the Low Countries, and beyond doubt Spanish officers took their hunting dogs to war as did the British. Gentlemen wanted their recreation between battles in those times. Then, if a novel kind of dog was "acquired" ... by British officers from Spanish opposite numbers, the dog would reasonably have been dubbed "Spanish" when his new owners took him home." -- C. Bede Maxwell, 1972, The Truth About Sporting Dogs"

[for MORE Spanish Pointer see "1850s - Three Types of Pointers" below]




The Spanish Pointer

"Up to the time when firearms were beginning to be popular, setters and spaniels had been used to find game and to drive birds into nets, but as more came to be known of the Spanish pointer it was apparently considered that he alone had the capacity to find game for the gun. The Spanish pointer was a very slow but accurate worker, and this was necessary at the time of the old-fashioned flintlock gun." -- Edmondson and Robertshaw, 1978, The Pointer: Faber and Faber, London" -- Image, scanned from Philips, 1971, from engraving by J.Scott after Philip Reinagle.

[for MORE Spanish Pointer see "1850s - Three Types of Pointers" below]




The Pointing-Dog

"'The Best way to take partridges, as is done by princes and nobles, is to shoot the birds neatly, with a pointing-dog; or to take them by means of a pointing-dog and nets. Before I continue, it is necessary to describe the pointing-dog, which is used with the hawk, for shooting or hawking. This sort of dog is usually white and brown marked, or white and speckled, or brown spotted, and the taller and stronger the better the dog, so that he can take the scent high: for pointing-dogs should always hunt with noses high in the air'" -- Arkwright, 1906, The Pointer and His Predecessors, quote from Täntzer, 1734, Der Dianen Hohe und Niedere Jagd-geheimnisse




The Pointing-Dog and Nets

"'When the dog points he should not be called to, but encouraged with "gently!" so that he may stand still, until such time as the fowling-net can be got ready. Then run rapidly on to the game and the dog, so that the net cover both, and having strangled the birds give the dog some bread. At first the dog will hate the net, but must be well trained to endure it patiently, and as it is rare to find a dog combine both qualities (pointing, and standing to the net), it is wise for the sportsman to have two dogs, one for each purpose. And as the partridges will not often stay quiet a conveniently long time before the dog, not to mention the net, but scatter themselves away, the hunter must have with him his hawk, which the game will recognize as their enemy, and will crouch upon the ground and hide from it, lying motionless before the pointing-dog until the net covers both them and him'." -- Arkwright, 1906, The Pointer and His Predecessors, quote from Täntzer, 1734, Der Dianen Hohe und Niedere Jagd-geheimnisse




The Pointing-Dog and Hawks

"'Take a pointing-dog, a hooded hawk, and a living pigeon on a long string in the game-bag, and start early. When the dog finds and points, hastily unhood the hawk, call warning to the dog, and as soon as conviently near to him (holding the hawk with its breast to the partridges and the dog), call out to him: "Berr!" On which, the dog springs into the middle of the partridges. They scatter off like dust, and the hawk after them. Then the hunter rides till the hawk strikes, and falls with his quarry to the ground'." -- Arkwright, 1906, The Pointer and His Predecessors, quote from Täntzer, 1734, Der Dianen Hohe und Niedere Jagd-geheimnisse




Late 1700s - Foxhound Crosses - "Col. Thornton's Dash"

"It was in the last years of the eighteenth century that the crying sin against the pointer was committed, by mating him with the foxhound. Had he been crossed once again with the tender-nosed, sagacious, southern hound, the effect would not have been disastrous; but the dashing, harum-scarum foxhound was an exemplarily mischievous selection. ... Colonel Thornton (1757-1823), who kept both foxhounds and pointers, was the first to intermix the two breeds." -- Arkwright, 1906, The Pointer and His Predecessors

"The first person to have success with a pointer from adding foxhound blood was a Colonel Thornton. He kept both foxhounds and pointers and he mated a small pointer bitch and a shallow flewed foxhound and from this mating produced a dog by the name of "Dash". At the time, some people were of the opinion that it was perhaps unfortunate that he should have succeeded in breeding so soon an eminent dog like "Dash", for this dog was remarkable for his style of ranging on the moors as well as for his superior method of finding game. He was equally excellent in partridge shooting and backed other dogs as steadily as possible. He was used at stud to a considerable number of bitches but not one puppy which he sired ever made the grade for work! However, it was through the success of "Dash" in the field that many breeders in all parts of the country also decided to use the foxhound cross, but it soon became evident that these crosses were no good generally and that far more was lost than gained by the experiment. It had produced courage, power and perseverance, but also high spirits and keenness for chasing." -- Edmondson and Robertshaw, 1978, The Pointer: Faber and Faber, London"

"In fact if the truth could be ascertained, it would be much more reasonable to believe that this mongrel was produced in an effort to improve the speed of Thronton's hounds on which he was makeing large wagers in competing for speed records." -- Phillips, 1970, The True Pointer

Pointer x Foxhound Pedigree


1800s
The "Pointer"

"The Spanish pointer was a very slow but accurate worker, and this was necessary at the time of the old-fashioned flintlock gun ... but as progress was made in the type of gun used, the pace of hunting was increased and it became clear that a dog with more speed was what was required, so with the Englishman's flair for breeding excellent livestock, work was done on the raw material already obtained to create the pointer as it is known today. It was adapted, blended and vastly improved. It is thought that this was done by selective breeding and not by crossing. There is evidence through portraits that pointers had been altogether changed by the year 1800 which was when the "pointer" came to be the name used for the breed. It had taken just 100 years of careful breeding and selection to bring the pointer to perfection with the added invention of "backing", which is the co-operation in work of two or more dogs." -- Edmondson and Robertshaw, 1978, The Pointer: Faber and Faber, London"

"It may have been that the Pointer was brought into England from both France and Spain. Be it that it may, it is the English sportsman to whom we are indebted for the "development" of the Pointer." -- The Sportsman's Bookshelf, Volume XIII, Hunting Dogs and Their Uses: The Stackpole Company, Harrisburg, PA, 1951




Pioneering English Breeders of Pointers

"Among the pioneering English breeders of Pointers were: Thomas Webb Edge, George John Legh, J.C. Antrobus, Lord Combermere, Sir Vincent Corbet, the Earl of Sefton, Thomas Statter, Lord Derby, Sir Richard Garth, J.W. Whitehouse, R.J. Lloyd Price, J. Lang, and George Moore. These were not all, of course, and many others who contributed much came later." -- The Sportsman's Bookshelf, Volume XIII, Hunting Dogs and Their Uses: The Stackpole Company, Harrisburg, PA, 1951



1820s
1820 - A Litter of Nineteen

"A pointer bitch, the property of Thomas Sherwood, Esq. of Cannon Hill, Surrey, whelped in September last, nineteen puppies alive and in perfect health. These puppies were got by a smooth-haired pointer, whose sire was a thorough-bred setter; and in this instance good proof is given of breeding back, since one part of the litter possess the true character of the pointer, while the other part shew equally strong the character of the setter. It became necessary to remove some of the puppies to nurses, but eight of them are still living and becoming fine dogs." -- The Sporting Magazine, April 1821, p.56



1840s
1844 - the Edge of Strelly Sale

"Thomas Webb Edge died in 1844 and on October 1, of that year, his dogs were sold at public auction. The sale was a means of distributing a line of well established pointer blood among a number of well known breeders of that period." -- Hochwalt, 1923, The Modern Pointer

[MORE about the Sale]



1850s
1850s -- Three Types of Pointers

Group of Pointers, 1859 Three Types of Pointers.

POINTERS (SPANISH AND ENGLISH):

"In this country there are several varieties of the pointer still tolerably distinct from each other, but all running the one into the other so as to make the divisions far from distinct. Of these varieties, the old Spanish dog, now very rare, the heavy English pointer, and the light English dog, may be taken as the three types, as exhibited on the opposite page [click on image above].

The old Spanish pointer is now very seldom met with, but he is undoubtedly the original of all the existing breeds. The Spanish dog is generally considered to be descended from the hound, one of which is supposed to have shown a disposition to point, and this faculty being encouraged and "bred to", in time there has been produced the peculiar animal which is now so common. ...

The modern English pointer is the result of a cross of the Spanish dog with the greyhound or foxhound, by which the delicacy of the nerves of the nose, and of the other parts of the nervous system, is to a certain extent diminished, while the body is rendered much more light and elegant. In proportion to the amount of Spanish blood in any breed is the size of the head, while according to the number of crosses from the greyhound or foxhound is the body made light, strong, and active. The former of these is the better of the two for the purpose of crossing with the Spanish pointer, because he gives all the advantages of the foxhound without the disadvantage of the tendency to stoop in hunting and to chase "fur". ... It is said that some breeds, though light and acrive, are descended from pure-bred Spanish pointer by choosing out the lightest puppies to continue the breed; but I fully believe that none are free from one or other of the strains above mentioned, excepting those which show a certain degree of heaviness about the shoulders and disproportion between the hind and fore quarters, which is not by any means desirable. This, however, is purely conjectural, as there are few pedigrees which can be traced back for many generations. The late Mr. Edge's breed is said to be so descended, and probably it can be carried back as far as any other; but even his is lost in obscurity, and cannot be proved to be pure any more than those of Lord Derby or Lord Sefton. ..."

-- from: "Sporting Rifle: and The Dogs, Ponies, Ferrets, &c., Used with Them in the Various Kinds of Shooting and Trapping", by Stonehenge, Roultedge, Warne, and Routledge, London, 1859

[MORE about Edge pointers]




1859 - First "Dog Show" (England)

"Even before the Kennel Club was founded, the first dog show in this country was held in Newcastle upon Tyne in the year of 1859, being exclusively for Pointers and Setters and run in conjunction with a poultry show." -- C.A. Robertshaw, 2000, Pointers Past & Present

"First dog show, held in Newcastle-on-Tyne, open to pointers and setters alone. Judges gave the prize to a liver-and-white dog." -- Arkwright, 1906, The Pointer and His Predicessors

"The first dog show was held in the New Corn Exchange, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on 29 and 30 June 1859 (Newcastle Race Week). The show was of particular interest to pointer people as it was confined to pointers and setters." -- Edmondson and Robertshaw, 1978, The Pointer: Faber and Faber, London"

" ... 23 entries for pointers and 37 for setters, many being from distant parts of the kingdom. Among them were some very splendid specimens of their kinds; ... the palm for the best setter was carried off by William Jobling Esq. of Morpeth, that for pointers being gained by J. Brailsford Esq., Knowsley, Lancashire. ... The pointer judges were Mr. G. H. Walsh of London (who wrote sporting articles under the name of Stonehenge), Mr. Joseph Jobling, Morpeth, and Mr. Thomas Robson of Newcastle, and the awards were as follows: Best of Breed winning one of Pape's celebrated double barrelled guns worth from L15-20, J. Brailsford Esq., Knowsley. Very Highly Commended, George Atkinson Esq., Hall Farm, Seaham, John Angus Esq., Percy Street, Newcastle. Highly Commended, Mr. John Charlton, Newcastle, Charles Lloyd Esq., Howick, Alnwick, and Edward Cowan, Blaydon. Commended, Charles Hibbert, Esq., Smallshaw, Ashton Under Lyne, and Mr. Thomas Scott, of Longhirst. There were 23 competitors." -- Edmondson and Robertshaw, 1978, The Pointer: Faber and Faber, London, from copy of the show report which appeared in 'Newcastle Courant' of Friday, 1 July 1859"

(From the pen of Mr. W. R. Pape of Newcastle-on-Tyne, 1894) "It is now about forty years since I started to breed my black pointers, and have had them ever since. ... I got up the first dog show that was held in Newcastle, 1859. Mr. Angus, a friend of mine, had a young black dog at the show, one of my breed, and, although the judges gave the prize to a liver-and-white dog, Mr. Walsh, the Editor of the Field, said in the Field, on reporting the show, that this dog, to his fancy, was the finest pointer dog there." -- Arkwright, 1906, The Pointer and His Predecessors



1860s
1860 - "Bird's Bob" - Lemon and Whites

"Contemporary with the Antrobus, Edge, Sefton, and Moore of Appleby strains, of which "Brockton's Bounce" and "Statter's Major" were the leading lights, there existed a breed of lemon and whites which had a small, but enthusiastic following. Chief among these was H. Gilbert, who owned two dogs called "Bob" and "Major". Lemon and whites, before the era of field trials and dog shows, were not generally popular, but with the advent of public competitions the Gilbert dogs and a few other became better known and steadily rose in popular favor, for they exemplified the handsome, lithe, clean-cut type of pointer which proved to be very attractive when shown beside the "Bounce" and "Major" varieties. In the field these lemon and whites demonstrated that they had speed, style and endurance far in excess of the liver and whites and once they came before the public, it was not long until others took them up. "Gilbert's Bob" became the property of Mr. Bird, who exhibited him at the second show of the Birmingham Kennel Club which was held in 1860. At this event "Bob" took first prize." -- A. F. Hochwalt, 1923, The Modern Pointer

(Bird's Bob: lemon/white, Baddock's Joker x Lang's Fan)




1865 - First "Field Trial" (England)

"First "working trial", held near Bedford" -- Arkwright, 1906

"In 1865, again before the Kennel Club was founded in 1873, the first field trial was held at Bedford." -- C.A. Robertshaw, 2000, Pointers Past & Present

""Brockton's Bounce" was a magnificent dog, and he was the first pointer that ever won a field trial in England." -- EKC, September 1881

""Brockton's Bounce" was a magnificent dog, a winner on the show bench, and of the first Field Trial in England." -- G.S. Lowe, 1907, The New Book of the Dog

"... the inaugural trials of all ... This was at Southill in 1865, when the Pointers were divided into large and small sizes, the former including "Mr. W.R. Brockton's Bounce" and "Mr. W.G. Newton's Ranger", and the latter "Mr. J.H. Whitehouse's Hamlet". In a maximum of 40 for nose, "Bounce" and "Hamlet" were accredited full marks, "Bounce" taking the highest compliment too in pace and range, and also for temperament. He was, therefore, estimated by the judges, the Rev. T. Pearce and Mr. Walker, of Halifax, to have been absolutely perfect. "Hamlet" was the same, both taking 90 in a hundred, but "Ranger" only got 30 for nose, and half marks for pace. This tallied much with his character at home, as although a good, steady, workmanlike dog, he yet was never quite brilliant, such as "Bounce" had the credit of being, and the late Mr. Whitehouse, a capital sportsman, would always contend that he never shot over a better than "Hamlet". -- G.S. Lowe, 1907, The New Book of the Dog

""Brockton's Bounce" ran in the first field trial in the April of 1865, held over the estates of Mr. S. Whitbread. Judging was done by the Rev. T. Pearce whose nom de plume was "Idestone" and Mr. John Walker of Halifax. For this first field trial the dogs were scored on a points system; a certain number counting for each qualification a field dog should possess. Sir Richard Garth's "Jill" and Mr. Flemming's "Dandy" made a perfect score of 100% whilst "Brockton's Bounce" and "Whitehouse's Hamlet" scored 90% each. ... Entrants competing at this trial consisted of nine Pointers and seven Setters, which with one or two exceptions, later competed at the Islington Dog Show in June, with Hamlet taking the first prize in the Champion Class for Small Size Stud Pointers tried in the field." -- C.A. Robertshaw, 2000, Pointers Past & Present




1868 - "Garth's Drake" whelped

Drake, from an oil by George Earl, click to enlarge "Garth's Drake"
"From every source, it is clear that the most outstanding performer in the field in the latter part of the nineteenth century was "Sir Richard Garth's Drake", born in 1868. He became the first pointer champion at field trials. G.S. Lowe, writing about pointers in 1907, gives this description of Drake after he had seen him win in field trials near Stafford. "Drake was a rather gaunt dog with immense depth of girth, long shoulders, long haunches, and a benevolent quiet countenance. There was nothing very attractive about him walking about prior to the Trial, but the moment he was down he seemed to paralyse his opponent, as he went half as fast again. ... Quite a sight it was to watch him on 'point'. It was perhaps more of a drop than a 'point'. ... Nothing in his day could beat him in the field."" -- Edmondson and Robertshaw, 1978, The Pointer: Faber and Faber, London, image from an oil by George Earl, from Enos Phillips, 1970, The True Pointer and His Ancient Heritage, click to enlarge"

"Among notable gundog-lovers we now come to Sir Richard Garth, who during all his long life has been enthusiastic about shooting over dogs, was one of the most successful competitors at the beginning of pointer and setter Trials, and was the breeder of the renowned "Drake". When he left as Chief Justice for Calcutta in 1875, he sold his dogs at Tattersall's." -- Arkwright, 1906, The Pointer and His Predicessors




1869(?)-1895 - The Pointer Club (England)

"The first-ever field trials was held near Bedford in 1865. After that event a field trial society was formed and known as the Pointer Club. This club held its first trial in 1869 and each following year until it was abandoned in 1895. (The present Pointer Club was formed in 1960.)" -- Edmondson and Robertshaw, 1978, The Pointer: Faber and Faber, London"




1860s - 1870s - "Whitehouse's Hamlet"

Whitehouse's Hamlet, from oil by George Earl, click to enlarge "Whitehouse's Hamlet"
"Mr. Whitehouse of Ipsley Court, Redditch, was in his day an equally eminent pointer-breeder. In his strain of lemon-and-whites he contrived to concentrate by far the purest blood that remains nowadays in this country. He bred "Hamlet", a dog equally remarkable in the field and at stud." -- Arkwright, 1906, The Pointer and His Predicessors; Image from an oil painting by George Earl, from W. Enos Phillips, The True Pointer and His Ancient Heritage, 1970




"The Four Cornerstones"

""Brockton's Bounce", "Statter's Major", "Whitehouse's Hamlet", "Garth's Drake"! What names to conjure up visions of past glory in the game-fields of England! Mention this quartet and you have named the four cornerstones in the foundation of the Point breed. Add the name of "Price's Champion Bang" and you have heralded the principal fountainhead as we know it in this country today." -- The Sportsman's Bookshelf, Volume XIII, Hunting Dogs and Their Uses: The Stackpole Company, Harrisburg, PA, 1951

(Brockton's Bounce: Duke of Newcastle x Whitehouse's Juno)

(Statter's Major: Old Major x Garth's Mite)

(Whitehouse's Hamlet: Bird's Bob x Whitehouse's Juno)

(Garth's Drake: Garth's Rap x Garth's Doll)

(Price's Bang: Coham's Bang x Price's Vesta)




1870s
1873 - English Kennel Club

"... the Kennel Club was founded in 1873 ... " -- Edmondson and Robertshaw, 1978, The Pointer: Faber and Faber, London"




1874 - English Kennel Club Stud Book

"In 1874 a hybrid committee was set up to design the first Kennel Club Sutd book, free entries being allocated to show dogs that had won a prize and field trial competitors regardless of having won a prize. Mr. W. Lort, a qualified surgeoun, credited with originating the stud book for Pointers and Setters, was well known for his Pointers, Setters, and black Spaniels, along with some fair racehorses and perhaps the best trotting horses this side of the Atlantic." -- C. A. Robertshaw, 2000, Pointers Past & Present




1874 - "Sensation" whelped

Sensation "Westminster Sensation"
"When the Westminster Kennel Club was organized, in the early seventies, its object was more for the improvement of the pointer than that of holding shows, and in those days it maintained elaborate kennels at Babylon, L. I., where the breeding and the rearing of the short-haired gun dog was carried on rather extensively. There is no question whatever but this club did much for the breed in various ways, and while some of their importations were not quite up to expectations, the fact remains that its influence was an important one in raising the standard of all dogs in America, and particularly the breed to which it was especially devoted. In 1876 they brought over a pointer from England which was registered in this country under the name of "Sensation", and the selection of that name, at least, was a particularly happy one, coming at a time when importations -- that is, authentic ones -- were few, and when the pointer needed the stimulus of good English blood. In England this dog was registered under the name of "Don"; breeder, J.R. Humphreys; owner, R. Parr." -- A.F. Hochwalt, 1923, The Modern Pointer

"The first great Pointer which the Club owned was named "Sensation". He was said to have the best head of any Pointer in the world. Through the years, the Club has done well to preserve his memory by adopting his picture as the club logo." -- Westminster Kennel Club Website, August 2000

(w: February 1874, lemon/white, Price's Jim x Humphrey's Nell)




1874 - First public field trial in America - "Rex" Placing Sixth

"The first public field trial in America was held at Memphis, Tenn., October 8, 1874. The winner was "Knight", a black Setter dog belonging to H. Clark Pritchett. The stake was sponsored by the Tennessee State Sportsmen's Association and the judges were J.W. Burton and J.H. Acklen. The contest was the result of some rather heated arguments among the members concerning the field merits of their repective dogs." -- The Sportsman's Bookshelf, Volume XIII, Hunting Dogs and Their Uses: The Stackpole Company, Harrisburg, PA, 1951

"The first formal field trial for pointing dogs was held near Memphis, Tennessee, on October 8, 1874. At that time the competitors were judged on a number system, with the best possible score being 100. Nose was allotted a maximum of 30 points; pace and style, 20; breaking (steadiness), 20; pointing style and staunchness, 15; backing, 10; roading, 5. The winning dog of this trial scored 88 points. -- Rice and Dahl, Hunting Dogs, revised 1978

1874 - Tennessee State Sportsmen's Association, Inaugural Trials held Memphis, Tenn., October 8, 1874. Judges: J.W. Burton and J.H. Acklen. "Free For All Stakes". First prize, a silver service. 12 Entries. 1) "Knight", Setter, black, 88pts., owner: H. Clark Prichitt, handler: owner; 2) "Romp", English Setter, 86pts., owner: T.M. Horsfall, handler: owner; 3) "Guido", Dropper, 80pts., owner: W.A. Wheatley, handler: owner; 4) "Mack", Setter, 78pts., owner: J.H. Dew, handler: owner; 5) "Addie", Setter, 72pts., owner: W.A. Wheatley, handler: owner; 6) "Rex", Pointer, black and white, 67pts., owner: A. Merriman, handler: owner; 7) "Bang", breed not listed, 64pts., owner: Wm. Carroll, handler: H. Greer; 8) "Frank", Setter, liver and white, 69pts., owner: D. Stevens, handler: owner; 9) "Dixie", Setter, 57pts., owner: A. Francis, handler: owner. -- Maj. J.M. Taylor, 1907, Field Trial Record of Dogs in America




1876 - "Official Registrations"

"Correctly speaking, there is no such animal as a "native pointer", but custom has given the term a definite sanction, and now it is generally understood to embrace all those dogs, or their descendants, which flourished in this country from Colonial times up to the epoch of the first authentic importations, which was about 1876, when official books began to be published for the registration of dogs. The first of these publications was "The American Kennel and Sporting Field," by Arnold Burges, which came off the press of J.B. Ford and Company, New York, in 1876. The formation of the National American Kennel Club followed, then the American Kennel Stud Book, published by the late Dr. N. Rowe and from this it was but a short stop to the formation of the American Kennel Club." -- A.F. Hochwalt, 1923, The Modern Pointer



1876 - "Burges's American Kennel and Sporting Field"
"Owing to the fact that no stud book, official or otherwise, was published prior to the "American Kennel and Sporting Field", which was placed before the dog loving public in 1876, it is difficult to obtain authentic records of dogs that lived in the early days of the nineteenth century, or in fact, before about 1865." -- A.F. Hochwalt, 1911, Pointers and Setters

"The first of these publications was "The American Kennel and Sporting Field," by Arnold Burges, which came off the press of J.B. Ford and Company, New York, in 1876." -- A.F. Hochwalt, 1923, The Modern Pointer




1876 - "Orgill's Champion Rush"

Orgills Rush, click to enlarge "Orgill's Rush"
"The so-called 'native' Pointers of the early days also played their part in the development of the Pointer of this country. One of the most famous was "Champion Rush", bred and owned by Mr. Edmund Orgill, a very careful and thoughtful breeder who preferred the white and lemons. "Rush" was a successful bench show winner. -- The Sportsman's Bookshelf, Volume XIII, Hunting Dogs and Their Uses: The Stackpole Company, Harrisburg, PA, 1951

(lemon/white, w: April 1876, Flake x Lily)




1877 - Westminster - "First Annual New York Bench Show of Dogs"

"The Westminster Kennel Club started as a small, private gentlemen's club devoted to the sport of hunting with dogs and became one of the most prestigious dog shows in the world. ... At the very beginning, these gentlemen wanted to provide a forum for comparing the conformation of dogs against each other. They were aware of success of dog shows in England and the few that had been held on a limited scale in the US, so they had an idea of what kind of an event they wanted. Westminster's first show was in 1877. Held at Gilmore's Garden (which is no longer standing), the show was called the “First Annual New York Bench Show of Dogs.” This four-day event on May 8th thru 11th of that year attracted an entry of 1177 dogs. Westminster's logo pointer, "Sensation", who was owned by the kennel club, was entered in exhibition only at this first show and at subsequent shows. Yet, he was a successful show dog who was the “Winner of seven prizes in England, and first at Baltimore and divided with "Rock" for best dog in show.” -- Sari B. Tietjen, "Westminster - An Historical Perspective", AKC Website, 1999

"In 1876, noting the success of dog shows held in England and one in Philadelphia, it was decided to present a dog show in New York City. Adopting the name of the hotel in which they met as the name of the dog show, this group of sportsmen presented the "First Annual New York Bench Show of Dogs." Produced by the Westminster Kennel Club, the show was held in Gilmore's Gardens, Madison Avenue and 26th Street, on May 8th through the 10th, 1877. This first dog show was so successful with exhibitors and the public that it was extended to include another day, May 11th. With a few exceptions in the early years, the Westminster Dog Show continues to be held at Madison Square Garden. In 1888, the Club moved its date from May to February, where it has remained ever since. Since the first show in 1877 through 1920, Westminster continued as a four-day show. Then in 1921 through 1940, the show was condensed into a three day show. Finally, in present day, Westminster continues to present a two-day show. Westminster is the oldest, continuous sporting event in America, with the exception of the Kentucky Derby. It has been held each year despite power shortages, hazardous snow storms, national depressions, and World Wars. -- Westminster Kennel Club Website, 2002




1878 - First pointer registered with AKC - "Ace of Spades", AKC#1187

"Breeding records existed in the United States long before the American Kennel Club was founded in 1884, but most were kept by private individuals. In 1886, the AKC decided that a reliable record of pedigrees was vital to the advancement of the sport of purebred dogs, and it began negotiating with the two existing stud books, the American Kennel Register and the National American Kennel Club. Although the former declined the AKC's offer, Dr. N. Rowe (who had published Volumes II and II of the National American Kennel Club Stud Book at his own expense) agreed to hand over the National American Kennel Club's three volumes. Containing a list of 5,397 dogs, these volumes became the basis of the AKC's Stud Book, which has been in continuous publication since 1887." -- AKC, The Complete Dog Book, 19th Edition, Revised, 1997

"The first dog to appear in the AKC's Stud Book was "Adonis", an English Setter whelped in 1875. Anonis was owned and bred by George Delano of New Bedford, Massachusetts." -- AKC, The Complete Dog Book, 19th Edition, Revised, 1997

(black, w: 1875, Button x Topsey)




Late 1870s - American Importation - "Sleaford", "Bow", and "Faust"

Bow, from J.M. Tracy, click to enlarge "Bow"
"The Westminster Kennel Club and the St. Louis Kennel Club, two organizations interested in Pointers, imported a number of good ones and some which did not exactly please the American fancy. The St. Louis group imported "Sleaford" in 1877, but had indifferent success. Undaunted, they continued their importations. In 1877, they secured, through E. C. Stirling, the heavyweight, white and liver "Bow", imported by T. H. Scott. He proved a bench show winner and also placed in field trials. In 1879, S. A. Kaye, a member of the club, imported "Faust", paying $1,350, the largest price to be paid for a Pointer in America up to that time. "Faust" enjoyed a series of bench show victories in this country and was a successful sire. A number of very fine bitches were also imported durting this period, among them "Jessamine", "Lassie", "Zeal", "Trinket", and "Lena"." -- The Sportsman's Bookshelf, Volume XIII, Hunting Dogs and Their Uses: The Stackpole Company, Harrisburg, PA, 1951

(Sleaford: MacGregor x Nina)
[Pedigree, etc.]
(Bow: liver/white, Price's Bang x Davey's Luna)
[Pedigree, etc.]
(Faust: Lord Sefton's Sam x Pilkington's Nell)
[Pedigree, etc.]
(Jessamine:)
(Lassie: liver/white, w: 1877, Price's Bang x Leache's Belle)
(Zeal: liver/white, w: 1876, Price's Bang x Leache's Belle)
(Trinket:)
(Lena:)




1879 - "Croxteth" Imported

Croxteth, image from Hochwalt, from painting by J.M. Tracy, click to enlarge "Croxteth"
"In 1879 the Rev. J.C. MacDonna came over to America with a young dog named "Croxteth". He was a liver and white pointer, large in size, long in body, strong in bone and muscle and possessing a peculiarly long, lean head. That is, it seemed peculiar to those fanciers who had become accustomed to the rather cloddy Sefton heads, which nearly all of the importations of that day possessed. The arrival of "Croxteth" in this country really marks the first period of pointer improvement as far as field trials are concerned in America, for he was by far the greatest influence on the breed among the many that were brought over up to this time." -- A.F. Hochwalt, 1923, The Modern Pointer; image from Hochwalt, from painting by J.M. Tracy

(liver/white, w: 1878, Lowe's Young Bang x McDonna's Jane)
[Pedigree, etc.]




1879 - National American Kennel Club Inaugural Field Trial - "Bow" Tied for Second

National American Kennel Club Field Trial, click to enlarge "National American Kennel Club Inaugural Field Trial""
National American Kennel Club Inaugural Field Trial, November 24, 1879, Patoka, Illinois.

Bow, from J.M. Tracy, click to enlarge "Bow"

(Bow: liver/white, Price's Bang x Davey's Luna)
[Pedigree, etc.]



1880s
1880 - English System of Registration

"It was not until the Kennel Club was founded in 1873 that any thought was given to a registration scheme. In 1880 the newly formed Kennel Club Committee introduced a system of universal registration in order to avoid confusion from repetition of the same name for dogs in the same breed. This system has been in existence ever since." -- Edmondson and Robertshaw, 1978, The Pointer: Faber and Faber, London"

Kennel Club Registry of Names: "COPY OF RULE" -- "Every dog exhibited at a Show held under the Kennel Club Rules must, previous to the time of entry for such show, be entered in a registry of names kept by the Kennel Club at their office, 29A, Pall Mall, London, S.W. A charge of one shilling each dog will be made for registration. A name that has been already assumed and duly registered in the Kennel Club Registry, or entered in any published number of the Kennel Club Calendar and Stud Book, by the owner of a dog of the same breed, cannot be registered unless by a distinguishing name or number. Dogs that are already entered in any published number of the Kennel Club Calendar and Stud Book are exempt from the above Rule, provided their names remain unchanged." -- The Kennel Gazette, July 1880




1881 - "Ch. Graphic" whelped

Graphic, click to enlarge "Ch. Graphic"
"4067. GRAPHIC. Graphic Kennels, Jersey City, NJ. Breeder E. C. Norrish, England. Whelped April 15, 1881; liver and white ticked; by Leach's Bonus-Sancho, out of Furston-Juno, by Huggin's Don Juan, out of Juno VI; Bonus-Sancho by Price's Ch. Bang, out of Leech's Bell." -- VOL III, Sec 1, p. 101 of The American Kennel Stud Book, published quarterly by N. Rowe, dated 1886; reprinted in Pointer Points, vol.4-91"

(w: April 15, 1881, liver/white ticked, Leach's Bonus-Sancho x Furston-Juno)
[Pedigree, etc.]




1882 - First Pointer to win an Important Field Trial - "Vandevort's Don"

"The first Pointer to win an important field trial was "Don", owned by R.T. Vandevort. Don won first place ($250 cash) in the Free-For-All stake of the National American Kennel Club's trials, which were run on prairie chickens at Fairmont, Minn., beginning September 4, 1882, eight years after the first field trial was held. In addition to the cash purse, "Vandevort's Don" won the Pennsylvania State Field Trials Association cup for the best dog in the stake owned in Pennsylvania and a special prize of $20 for the best Pointer in the stake." -- The Sportsman's Bookshelf, Volume XIII, Hunting Dogs and Their Uses: The Stackpole Company, Harrisburg, PA, 1951

1882 - National American Kennel Club, First Trials on Prairie Chickens at Fairmont, Minnesota, September 4, 1882,
Judges: Theo. Morfor, D.C. Bergundthal, B. Waters, Monday, afterward E. C. Sterling. Auxiliary Judges: B.F. Wilson, J.H. Dew, J.D. Brown. Free-For-All Stake: Purse, $500., Open to all Setters and Pointers. First prize: $250, second: $125, third: $75, fourth:$50. Entrance $20. 28 entries and starters -- 22 English Setters, 2 Irish, 4 Pointers. 1) "Don", Pointer, liver/white, Sire: Price's Bang, Dam: Peg, Owner: R. T. Vandevort, Handler: owner. 2) "Sue", English Setter, also 2nd: "Dashing Novice", English Setter. 3) "Gertrude, English Setter, also 3rd: "Count Noble", English Setter, and, "Bessie", English Setter. 4) "Biz", Irish Setter, and also 4th: "Prairie Ranger", English Setter. Special Prizes: "R.T. Vandevort's Don" won the Prennsylvania State Field Trials Association Cup for best dog in stake owned in Pennsylvania. "R.T. Vandevort's Don" won the prize of $20 for best Pointer in the Free for All Stake. "J.W. Orth's Gertrude" and "Dr. N. McDonald's Rock" divided special of $50 for best dogs whose handlers had not previously handled a dog in a Field Trial. -- Maj. J.M. Taylor, 1907, Field Trial Record of Dogs in America, 1874-1907

(Vandevort's Don:, liver/white, w: January 1879, Price's Bang x Leatheridge Peg)





1884 - American Kennel Club

"On September 17, 1884, a group of twelve dedicated sportsmen, responding to a "meeting call" from Messrs. J. M. Taylor and Elliot Smith, met in the rooms of the Philadelphia Kennel Club in that City. Each member of the group was a representative or "delegate" from a dog club that had, in the recent past, held a benched dog show or had run field trials. This new "Club of Clubs" was, in fact, The American Kennel Club." -- American Kennel Club Website, August 2000

"Of the 13 clubs who founded the American Kennel Club in 1884, only the Westminster Kennel Club remains." -- American Kennel Club Gazatte, April 2002, vol. 119, no. 4, p. 112




1885 - "Ch. Graphic" imported to U.S.

"During 1885, Mr. James L. Anthony of New York startled the kennel world by importing the famed English champion "Graphic", and a valuable brood bitch, "Nell of Efford", from Mr. Norrish's kennels in Devonshire. ... "Graphic's" first appearance was at the Pittsburgh show of 1886. Major Taylor judged and when it came to the special for the best pointer he gave it to "Robert le Diable" over "Revel III" and "Graphic"." -- James Watson, "The Dog Book", 1906; reprinted in Pointer Points, vol.4-91"

(Graphic: w: April 15, 1881, liver/white/ticked, Leach's Bonus-Sancho x Furston-Juno)

(Nell of Efford: lemon/white, Don Juan x Rew's Kate)





1885 - Westminster Best Sporting Dog - "Robert Le Diable"

Robert Le Diable, click to enlarge "Robert Le Diable"
""5556 Robert Le Diable" -- Highland Kennels, Red Bank, N.J. Breeder, St. Louis Kennel Club, St. Louis, Mo. Whelped June 12, 1883; liver, white and ticked; by "Champion Croxteth", out of "Spinaway". See tabulated pedigree. Field Trial: -- Winner all-aged Pointer stake, E.F.T. Club, 1886. Bench Shows: -- Special for best Pointer, New York; special for best Sporting Dog, New York, 1885; 1st, St. Louis; 1st, Cincinnati; champion, Pittsburg; champion and special; New York 1886." -- AKC Studbook, 1887, Vol.IV

(Robert Le Diable: w: June 12, 1883, liver/white/ticked, Croxteth x Pilkington's Spinaway)





1888 - Canadian Kennel Club

"By the 1880s, firm interest in pure-bred dogs in Canada was indicated by a proliferation of dog shows held in Saint John, Montreal, Toronto, and London and in Manitoba. With the formation of the American Kennel Club in 1884, these shows were held under AKC rules, and pure-bred dogs were registered with that club. By 1887 it seemed obvious that a national Canadian club was needed and the following year, at a general meeting held at Tecumseh House in London, Ontario, the Canadian Kennel Club was formed. ... The first dog registered was the Club Secretary's winning English Setter, "Forest Fern"." -- Canadian Kennel Club Website, August 2000




1888 - Pointer Club of America

"The answer to whether the Pointer Club of America was a charter member of AKC in 1884, or joined shortly thereafter was found in "The American Book of the Dog", edited by G. O. Shields, 1891. The Pointer chapter, written by Charles K. Westbrook, A.M., states "The organization of a club, in 1888, devoted to his interests and development, is also a move in the right direction; and if the counsel of this body are wisely governed, it can accomplish much in unifying the interests of the breed in America, making the types of breeding more uniform, and securing proper recognition for the Pointer." The 1890 membership included Hon. John S. Wise, president; George W. LaRue, secretary and treasurer; and James L. Anthony, first of four vice-presidents. Its membership list includes most of the prominent Pointer men in the country. Artist Gustav Muss-Arnolt was the Pointer Club of America's first AKC Delegate." -- Karen Blasche, "Proud Heritage", Pointer Points, vol.3-95




1889 - Canadian Kennel Club Inaugural Field Trials

1889 - The Canadian Kennel Club, Inaugural Trials at Chatham, Canada, November 11, 1889, Judge: John Davidson.
All-Age Stake: For Setters and Pointers, First prize, $75; second $35; third, $15. For best Pointer placed, $10. Entrance, $5 forfeit, $5 additional to start. 20 nominations. 16 starters -- 12 English Setters, 4 Pointers. 1) "Pitti Sing" (Baron Doveridge x Norah), English Setter, liver and white, owner: Thos. Johnson, handler: owner; 2) "Dinah C" (Mingo x Fausta II), English Setter, black and white, owner: W.B. Wells, handler: owner; 3) "Ightfield Blithe" (Dancer x Ightfield Bloom), Pointer, liver and white, owner: Thos. Johnson, handler: Thos. Johnson.
Derby: 7 nominations. 6 starters -- 2 English Setters, 1 Gordon, 3 Pointers. 1) "Ightfield Blithe" (Dancer x Ightfield Bloom), Pointer, liver and white, owner: Thos. Johnson, handler: owner; 2) "Brighton Pride" (Brant x Belle), English Setter, Blue belton, owner: T.G. Davey, handler: owner; 3) "Breezo" (not given x not given), Pointer, liver, owner: R.G. Hervey, handler: J.B. McGregor.
"Pitti Sing won the American Field Cup, "Ightfield Blithe", the prize for best Pointer.
-- Maj. J.M. Taylor, 1907, Field Trial Record of Dogs in America




1889 - "Rip Rap" - Black and Whites

Rip Rap, image from Hochwalt, from painting by E.H. Osthaus, click to enlarge "Rip Rap"
""Rip Rap" was one of the first white and black Pointers to make a big mark in the field trial world. For many years prior to his appearance, black in a Pointer was frowned upon with suspicion, but it was not long before this prejudice was dispelled. So prominently did his name become associated with the white and blacks that to this day many of those not so well informed as they consider themselves refer to every white and black Pointer as a "Rip Rap". "Rip Rap" sired 19 field trial winners, many of them fine producers. His best son was "Young Rip Rap", a brilliant performer and a successful sire." -- The Sportsman's Bookshelf, Volume XIII, Hunting Dogs and Their Uses: The Stackpole Company, Harrisburg, PA, 1951; image from Hochwalt, 1923, The Modern Pointer, from painting by E.H. Osthaus

(Rip Rap w: 1889, Ch. King of Kent x Hops)





1889 - "The American Kennel Gazette"

"'The American Kennel Gazette' was first published in January 1889. It was the idea of AKC's fourth president, August Belmont Jr." -- American Kennel Club Gazette, April 2002, vol. 119, no. 4, p. 112



1890s
1890 - AKC Field Trials Established

"The American Kennel Club was basically formed for bench shows, but added field trials in 1890." -- Karen Blasche, "Proud Heritage", Pointer Points, vol.3-95




1891 - First Crufts Show

"Crufts is named after its founder Charles Cruft ... The first Crufts show in that name was booked into the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington in 1891." -- Crufts Website, August 2000

[Crufts Breed Winners]




1893 - Heavyweights and Lightweights

"Before entering at length into his (a pointer) description it may be as well to state that the classes at the more important shows are arranged to meet his different sizes, for the pointer varies in this respect more than any other sporting dog. Such classification is usually for "large-size" dogs 55 lb. weight and over, and bitches 50 lb. weight and over; the "small size" including dogs under 55 lb. weight, and bitches under 50 lb. weight." -- Rawdon B. Lee, 1893, A History and Description of the Modern Dogs (Sporting Division) of Great Britain and Ireland




1893 - Rosettes at Westminster

"It's getting to be a 'moral' that any undertaking of the Westminster Kennel Club means a certain success -- nay! a 'howling' success -- and surely the club's show last month at Madison Square Garden scored a triumph. A grandeur lot of high-bred canines were perhaps never gathered under one roof, and from the 'fancy' to the 'four hundred,' all united in the decision that it was an extraordinarily good show and admirably managed. FOr seventeen years the club has held regular annual shows, and it must be extremely gratifying to all concerned that the seventeenth fixture proved the best of all the long series. Unfortunately the weather was about as unfavorable as it could well be, and the attendance was not quite up to last year's record, though enough to leave a handsome cash balance to the good. Never was show better managed -- but, then, Mr. James Mortimer was, as usual, superintendent, which explains everything. The sanitary arrangements were excellent, and the benching and feeding, by Spratts' Patent, allowed of no criticism. The handsome catalogue was good indeed, and the innovation in the matter of neat rosettes in lieu of diplomas seemed to give general satifaction. ... -- Outing, March 1893, p.15
[MORE Westminster Kennel Club winners and information]




1896 - First National Bird Dog Championship

"The first National Bird Dog Championship was won by the Setter (English), "Count Gladstone IV" in 1896. Each succeeding year found a Setter at the top of the class ... until 1909, when the Pointer "Manitoba Rap" gained the crown." -- The Sportsman's Bookshelf, Volume XIII, Hunting Dogs and Their Uses: The Stackpole Company, Harrisburg, PA, 1951

"Most important of all bird dog field trials is, of course, the National Bird Dog Championship. With heats of 3 hours duration, this is an endurance stake. Its standards are of the highest. Not only must the winner be able to go the long route at rapid pace but he must also handle to the gun. Whenever a dog wins this greatest of all bird-dog titles one can rest assured that here is a dog that is capable of providing a thrilling day of gunning." -- The Sportsman's Bookshelf, Volume XIII, Hunting Dogs and Their Uses: The Stackpole Company, Harrisburg, PA, 1951

1896 - National Championship Association Club, West Point, Mississippi, February 10-12, 1896, Judges: A. Merriman, J.D. King, and W.S. Bell, For Champion Cup: Open to Setters and Pointers that have been placed in any public field trials, 13 Nominations, 11 Starters. First: "Count Gladstone IV", English Setter, "Count Noble" x "Ruby's Girl", owner: Avent & Hitchcock, handler: J. M. Avent. -- Maj. J.M. Taylor, 1907, Field Trial Record of Dogs in America

"The National Championship was first organized and run near West Point, Mississippi in 1896. Later, the competition was conducted on field trial grounds south of Grand Junction, Tennessee; near Rogers Springs, Tennessee; and finally, the Ames Plantation, north of Grand Junction and LaGrange, Tennessee. The National found a permanent home on the Ames Plantation in 1915 and each running since has been on the "hallowed" field trial grounds set in place by Hobart Ames, long time President and Judge of the National Championship. Running on some 6,000 acres of Ames Plantation is now conducted each year beginning on the second or third Monday in February with a usual entry of about 36 English Pointers and /or English Setters, winners or placers in 70 qualifying trials throughout the U.S. and Canada, competing. To be ideally executed, this event requires good populations of native bobwhite quail in an all-age field trial habitat. Several thousand field trial aficionados from all over the world attend the event each year." -- Ames Plantation Website, 2002

"James Monroe Avent (1860-1936), along with Hobart Ames, was responsible for establishing the National Bird Dog Championship in Hardeman County. The bird dog trials continue to be held annually at the Ames Plantation in Grand Junction. Avent’s house in Hickory Valley was listed in the National Register on April 25, 2001, because of his role in starting and promoting the bird dog trials. Both Avent and some of the dogs he trained were notable enough to be placed in the Field Trial Hall of Fame. The house is also significant because it is a fine example of the popular Queen Anne style. A variety of sawn and turned woodwork embellishes the house." -- Tennessee Historical Commission Website, 2002, National Register of Historic Places

[National Field Trial Championship Winners]




1897 - Second National Bird Dog Championship - "Declared Off"

1897 - National Champion Field Trial Association, West Point, Mississippi, January 26, 1897, 5 Entries: "Marie's Sport", "Delhi", "Harold Skimpole", "Minnie T.", and "Tony Boy", declared off. Entrance money refunded. Thermometer 17 degrees above zero. -- Maj. J.M. Taylor, 1907, Field Trial Record of Dogs in America

[National Field Trial Championship Winners]





1898 - "Faskally Bragg", Henry Sawtell, and an early "Recreational Vehicle"

Faskally Bragg, click to enlarge "Faskally Bragg"
"In 1898 the celebrated pointer "Fascally Brag" was born. He became both a field trial champion and a bench champion. Today he would claim the title of dual champion. His breeder and owner was Henry Sawtell. This gentleman had a 4,500-acre shoot in Wiltshire. He had a portable shooting box known as Bohemian. It was really a well-appointed caravan built at the cost of 1,000 Pounds for the Duke of Newcastle, but purchased by Mr. Sawtell. It was fitted with kitchen, cooking range, dark room, gun room, sleeping accommodation for four, a piano and a wine locker. He would place this caravan on St. Ann's Hill -- the highest point in Wiltshire -- in the very center of his shoot. "Fascally Brag" was a prolific sire of outstanding stock for show or work." -- Edmondson & Robertshaw, 1978, The Pointer

(Fascally Brag w: 1898, Rock of Stockhill x Fleece of Bromfield)



1900s
1900 - Turn of the Century - "Lunesdale", "Arkwright", "Mallwyd", "Ferndale"

"When the century dawned, with Victoria in the 63rd year of her reign, and the horse still mightier than the internal-combustion engine and whisky 15/- a gallon, the Lunesdale kennel of Mr. and Mrs. Horner, the kennel of Mr. Wm. Arkwright, the "Mallwyds" of Mr. Tom Steadman, were powers in the land. It is their strains, along with the "Ferndales" of the late Mr. Dan Davies, that have played the biggest part in passing on the qualities of that day to the qualities of this one." -- Lola Macdonald Daly, The Pointer as a Showdog"




1900s - "Crossing for Coon Dogs"

"My experience has been that the crossing of an English pointer dog and American fox hound slut for 'coon dogs, are the best I ever saw, writes an Ohio night hunter of rare judgement and experience, and I will illustrate by relating the accomplishments of a certain dog of the breeding. I will say further that the sire of this dog I mention was the most remarkable I ever heard of -- a fine large pointer, and often when hunting quails or pheasants in the woods he would bark up and had done it many times before they found out the cause. One day while hunting pheasants he began to bark up a hollow beech stub, and when called, refused to leave his post, and his hair was slightly raised, which excited the hunter's curiosity and they procured an axe and felled the stub. To their surprise, two large 'coons came rolling out and were dispatched. This solved the problem, and after that, he was the cause of many 'coons losing their life, as he located them in the den and trees where they had not stepped a foot on the ground. I for one can surely recommend this cross to make good 'coon dogs." -- Oliver Hartley, 1909, "Hunting Dogs": A.R. Harding, Publishers, Columbus, Ohio




1900s - "For Sale - $1.00"

"There are a great many worthless dogs, but the dogs are not to blame. I am writing on fox dogs, but it holds good on all dogs. There is always a worthless bitch, and sometimes several of them to be had for nothing, and some fellow who wants a dog but don't want to pay a fair price says, 'I'll get that bitch and breed her to that dog down at Graysville. They say he's a crackerjack, and I'll get some good dogs and they won't cost me anything either'. Well, when the time comes to breed it's five miles to Graysville, and the roads are awful muddy, and he concluded to breed to Jim Jones' dog just over the way, saying he ain't much of a dog, and a cousin to the bitch, but his great-grandmother got more foxes than any dog over in these parts, and some of the pups will breed back. He gets eight or ten pups, which he gets perhaps $1.00 a piece for, and it costs just as much to raise a poor one as a good one. The owners spend a lot of time trying to make dogs of them and have nothing at last." -- Oliver Hartley, 1909, "Hunting Dogs": A.R. Harding, Publishers, Columbus, Ohio




1900s - Early AKC Championships

"Early American shows followed precedents set in England with respect to the championship title and required three first place wins in the Open Class, which was generally divided by sex. Several changes were made in 1900, and a point scale emerged, based on the total number of dogs at the show; ranging from one point at all-breed shows with under 250 dogs, to the five point maximum at all-breed shows with 1000 dogs and over entered. The number of dogs in each breed was not considered. This schedule had obvious inequities. In all instances, regardless of show or entry, an accumulation of ten points was required for the title of champion. All member club specialty shows were rated at four points, while non-member specialties were given a two point rating, regardless of the size of entry. ... On January 10, 1910 new Rules Governing Dog Shows eliminated the Graduate Class; substituted an American-Bred Class, and changed the prerequisite for a championship title, requiring fifteen points, under three different judges, three points having to be won at one show." -- AKC Website, 2002




1900 - Pointer Club of America's Inaugural Field Trial

"The Pointer Club of America held its inaugural field trial at Jamesport, Long Island, NY, November 14, 1900. There were 6 nominations, 4 starters in the Members' Derby; 4 starters in the Members' Stake and 7 starters in the All-Age Stake. In 1901 a Champion Stake open to all was added; in 1902 a Free-For-All Stake drew 10 nominations, 8 starters. 1903 was cancelled at Homdel, NJ due to scarcity of quail. The field trial in 1904 was held December 12, at Barber Junction, NC, and judged by John White and Gustav Muss-Arnolt. It featured an Open Derby, All-Age Stake, Free-For-Al Stake and the Pointer Club's Stake. 1905's judges were Major J. M. Taylor and G. Muss-Arnolt, and "Alford's King", son of "F. Ch. Alford's John", won the Open Derby and All-Age Stake at Barber Junction, NC." -- Karen Blasche, "Proud Heritage", quoting Major J. M. Taylor's 'Field Trial Record of Dogs in America 1874-1907', Pointer Points, vol.3-95

1900 - Pointer Club of America, Inaugural Trials, Jamesport, Long Island, N.Y., November 14, 1900
Member's Derby (6 nominations, 4 starters): 1) "Merry Girl" (Teddy B x King's Daughter), owner: H.W. Terry, handler: owner; 2) "Bess Jingo" (Lad of Jingo x Blacksie), owner: Dr. C.E. Ellis, handler: Geo. Battison; 3) "Black Jingo" (Lad of Jingo x Blacksie), owner: Dr. C.E. Ellis, handler: Geo. Battison.
Member's Stake (4 starters): 1) "Mott's Fred" (Prince's Lad x Leah II), owner: Geo. S. Mott; 2) "John of Kent" (Beaufort of Kent x Bloom of Kent), owner: W. C. Root, handler: owner; 3) "Black Sensation" (Young Rip Rap x Lady Margaret), owner: Geo. S. Mott, handler: owner.
All-Age Stake (7 starters): 1) "Mott's Fred" (Prince's Lad x Leah II), owner: Geo. S. Mott, handler: Geo. S. Mott; 2) "Gypsie Dexter" (Duke of Dexter x Lola Queen), owner: Dr. C. E. Ellis, handler: Geo. Battison; 3) "Fred" (Tim of Kent x Miss Fred), owner: W. Ferguson, Jr., handler: Geo. S. Mott. -- Maj. J.M. Taylor, 1907, Field Trial Record of Dogs in America




1901 - "F.Ch. Alford's John" whelped

Alford's John, click to enlarge "F.Ch. Alford's John"
"What the "four aces" were to the Pointers of the early days, what "Croxteth" and "King of Kent" were to a later period, and what "Rip Rap" and "Jingo" were still later, "Alford's John" and "Fishel's Frank" were in the period following the turn of the century. Their advent marked the real rise of the Pointer in field trial competitions. The blood of these two great bird dogs, more than that of any others, brought the Pointer up to a basis of even competition with his long-haired rival, the English Setter." -- The Sportsman's Bookshelf, Volume XIII, Hunting Dogs and Their Uses: The Stackpole Company, Harrisburg, PA, 1951

""Alford's John" is a handsome white and liver dog, with quite a good head and a clean neck going into excellent shoulders, but his running gear is what strikes the fancy of the practical field trial man, for it is powerful and muscular, and built on lines that denote the workman. He has been shown in the field trial classes at various shows, and usually gave a good account of himself, having been placed first at Detroit over "Alpine Lad" at the show held there in 1906. His only fault from the bench show point of view is that he lacks depth of chest; yet he is well ribbed up and has abundant heart and lung room; this, with his strong loin and quarter, is what gives him that marvelous staying power which he possesses." -- Karen Blasche, "Proud Heritage", Pointer Points vol.1-90, quoting F. Freeman Lloyd, DOG LOVERS, October 1907, who in turn is quoting A. F. Hochwalt

(w: January 12, 1901, liver/white, Dave Kent x Cleade)
[Pedigree, etc.]




1905 - Groups at Westminster

The idea of "Groups" appeared at the Westminster Kennel Club show in 1905.

"There is a total entry of 2,701 for the show of the Westmisnter Kennel Club, on Feb. 13 to 16, which is larger than in any previous year. The oddity classes, which are for the breeds newly admitted to registration, such as the Pekinese spaniels, Griffons Bruxellois, Chihuahuas and Russian sheepdogs, have all filled well and also the variety classs, which are for dogs of all breeds under entirely new conditions. These classes are to be a spectacular feature as well as of interest to the breeders. The first will bring into the ring the dogs that have won the title of champion in all breeds at the show, who will be placed for the four awards of $25, $15, $10, and $5. This will bring into rivalry big dogs and little ones; fighters, hunting dogs and sprinters, the best of the lot receiving the awards. There is a similar class for champion bitches, and for the winners in the open and novice class. T

 

 

Back