Choosing an English Pointer

Choosing an English Pointer

By: Barbara Maroon

Common Diseases and Disorders

In general, the English pointer is a healthy dog with few medical concerns. However, the following diseases or disorders have been reported:

  • Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint that results in pain, lameness and arthritis.

  • Arthritis, inflammation of the joints, can develop as the dog ages.

  • Cataracts cause a loss of the normal transparency of the lens of the eye. The problem can occur in one or both eyes and can lead to blindness.

  • Cutaneous hemangioma - is a disease that causes cancer of the skin.

  • Pannus is a disease of the eye resulting in inflammation.

  • Corneal dystrophy is a primary, inherited, bilateral (both sides), symmetrical condition of the cornea that is not accompanied by corneal inflammation or systemic disease.


  • Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a disease that causes nerve cells at the back of the eye to degenerate. The condition usually begins in older pets and can lead to blindness.

    In addition, although these occur infrequently, the pointer is also prone to deafness and frostbite.

    Life Span

    The average life span of the English pointer is approximately 13 to 14 years.


    We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.

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