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Pointollie |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Pointollie |
| The Pointollie is a hybrid dog, and most often this refers to a mix between the longhaired Collie and the English Pointer, although some breeders label other mixes with the same name, such as Border Collie and Pointer, or German Shorthaired Pointer and Collie. It's still a fairly rare combination, although it seems to be gaining in popularity in the UK. The result of the mix between the Collie Rough and the Pointer is a reserved, dignified dog that can make an excellent watchdog, hunting companion or exercise companion, but because of their sensitivity, they also require care and gentle touch during training and a great deal of calm positive interaction and socialization to boost their confidence. |
History of the Pointollie |
| The Pointollie is a designer dog, a cross between the Collie Rough, a large, agile sheepdog from the British Isles, and the English Pointer, an active, athletic hunting companion also known as the English Pointer. It's important to note that although the name Pointerollie generally refers to a mix between the English Pointer and the Longhaired Collie, some breeders use this label for Pointers crossed with Border Collies, or even for Collies crossed with German Pointers, which obviously results in a very different hybrid. |
A little of the English Pointer |
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| The Pointer is often called the English Pointer because it was refined and popularized in England, but most historians believe that the earliest ancestors of these dogs actually came from Spain. Although there is currently no way of knowing their complete ancestry, some of the dog breeds that would have contributed to the English Pointer as we know it today include Spanish Setters, Foxhounds, Bloodhounds, Italian Pointers, Bull Terriers and even Greyhounds. They were primarily used for hunting and pointing hares, enabling Greyhounds to catch and kill prey, although today they are better known for their exceptional skills in the field as bird dogs. | ||
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| Standard of the English Pointer |
A little of the Collie Rough |
| The Longhaired Collie is a very old breed with a foundation that is obscured by history, but we do know that they were used as sheepdogs in the mountainous regions of Scotland for centuries, in both rough- and smooth-coated varieties. Before they came to the attention of English dog show enthusiasts, they were developed for both guarding and herding, and did so quite effectively. Queen Victoria took an interest in the breed during a visit to Scotland in the mid-1800s, causing a sharp rise in popularity in England, particularly in the 1860s and 1870s. The breed standard for the Collie Rough in England was established in 1886, the same year that the Collie Club of America, Inc. became one of the first specialized American clubs. |
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| Standard of the Collie Rough |
Appearance of the Pointollie |
| The Pointollie is a fairly lean, medium to large-sized dog, measuring around 61 centimeters high at the shoulder and weighing between 22.5 and 34 kilos. The two parent breeds differ considerably in structure and appearance, so Pointollie hybrids can also differ considerably from one dog to another, even within the same litter. Although both parent breeds have well-proportioned heads, the wedge-shaped skull and tapering muzzle of the Longhaired Collie are generally much narrower than those of the English Pointer, with almond-shaped rather than rounded eyes, and although they are generally brown, Longhaired Collie genetics can also produce dogs with merle or glass-colored eyes. Ears can range from the small, straight, triangular ears of the Longhaired Collie to the longer, dangling ears of the English Pointer, although medium-length ears that sit fairly high on the head and fold forward or to the sides seem to be common. Both the English Pointer and the smooth variety of the Longhaired Collie have short, hard, dense, flat coats, although the Longhaired Collie has a copious undercoat, but this cross may also inherit the longer, rougher coat that is often associated with the Longhaired Collie dog. |
Temperament of the Pointollie |
| The Pointollie is typically a sensitive dog that tends to behave with an air of dignity. Both parent breeds tend to be gentle by nature, and the Pointollie is likely to acquire this same gentle nature, meaning that socialization is of particular importance to prevent the development of shy or anxious behaviors. This dog is quite intelligent and doesn't like to be confined or left alone for too long, and may respond to these triggers with excessive vocalizations or destructive chewing and digging. Neither the Collie Rough nor the English Pointer are naturally demonstrative or aggressive towards strangers or other animals, generally displaying a reserved but polite quality. Some of these dogs get on quite well with children of all ages, but others may inherit a nervous, hypersensitive nature from the Collie side and others may exhibit overly noisy English Pointer behaviors that can inadvertently knock over smaller children, so all interactions must be carefully monitored. This cross may also have a slight stubborn streak from both parent breeds, however, they generally respond well to patient, calm obedience training and are usually highly food motivated. |
Needs and activities of the Pointollie |
| This is an active, athletic crossbreed, and although the contribution of the Collie Rough breed can relax activity requirements somewhat, this dog should always receive at least one hour of vigorous activity a day to stay fit and healthy. Exercise for these dogs is often most effective when broken down into several smaller sessions, and many Pointollie dogs may also enjoy participating in tracking or breeding events, as well as long walks or jogs. This hybrid is far from active for the small space of an apartment and will be much more manageable in a larger home with a yard for running and playing. |
Maintenance of the Pointollie |
| In many cases, this dog will have a fairly simple grooming routine, baths are only necessary a few times a year unless the dog gets into something particularly smelly or messy, and brushing is a breeze for dogs that inherit the short, smooth coat of the English Pointer or the smooth Collie Rough variety. Some dogs will inherit the rough Collie coat, increasing the time needed for brushing and grooming. Dogs with this longer coat, or even a medium-length coat with the thick undercoat of the Collie Rough, will need daily brushing not only to control shedding, but also to remove tangles and mats from the coat. Particular attention should be paid to the undercoat, as heavy matting in the undercoat can damage the underlying skin. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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