Pudelpointer
The perfect blend of Poodle intelligence and Pointer drive
Origins & Development
The Pudelpointer was deliberately created in 1881 by Baron von Zedlitz und Neukirch, a German breeder who sought to combine the exceptional water retrieving ability and intelligence of the Pudel (German hunting Poodle) with the superior pointing instincts and field desire of the English Pointer. His goal was to create the ultimate versatile hunting dog - one that could point, track, and retrieve in all conditions.
Von Zedlitz carefully documented his breeding program, using 7 Pudels and approximately 90 English Pointers over a 30-year period. The high ratio of Pointers to Poodles was deliberate, intended to maximize pointing instinct while retaining the Poodle's intelligence, coat, and water affinity. By 1911, the breed was sufficiently established to have a fixed type.
The resulting breed exceeded expectations. Pudelpointers proved to be intelligent, trainable dogs with strong pointing instinct, excellent noses, and an unmatched enthusiasm for water work. The breed's wire coat provided protection from harsh weather and rough cover, making them ideal for the demanding conditions of German hunting.
Spread to North America
The Pudelpointer was introduced to North America in 1956 when Sigbot "Bodo" Winterhelt imported the first breeding stock to Canada. Winterhelt had fled post-war Germany and brought his passion for versatile hunting dogs with him. His imports formed the foundation of the North American population.
The Pudelpointer Club of North America (PCNA) was established in 1977 to preserve the breed's working heritage and maintain breeding standards aligned with German protocols. The club requires NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association) testing for breeding dogs, ensuring hunting ability remains the primary selection criteria.
Today, the Pudelpointer is gaining popularity among serious hunters who appreciate its versatility and trainability. The breed remains outside of AKC recognition by choice of the PCNA, which prioritizes hunting ability over conformation shows. The UKC recognized the breed in 2006.
Breed Fast Facts
- Origin
- Germany
- Developed
- 1881 (Baron von Zedlitz)
- Original Purpose
- All-around gun dog
- FCI Group
- Group 7: Pointing Dogs
- AKC Status
- Not recognized (by PCNA choice)
The Perfect Cross
Baron von Zedlitz's breeding formula - combining Poodle water ability and intelligence with Pointer field drive and pointing instinct - created what many consider the ideal versatile hunting dog, capable in all terrain and conditions.
Size & Structure
The Pudelpointer is a medium to large sized, powerfully built dog. The body is slightly longer than tall, with a deep chest and strong, straight back. The overall impression is of an athletic, capable hunter built for endurance and versatility.
Coat & Colors
Coat Type
Dense, harsh, wiry outer coat with a thick undercoat. The coat should be close-lying and weather-resistant. A distinctive beard and bushy eyebrows give the face a characteristic expression.
Accepted Colors
- Solid liver (most common)
- Solid black
- Light to dark brown
Distinctive Features
The wire coat inherited from the Poodle provides excellent protection from water and brush. Small white markings on chest are acceptable but large white patches are undesirable.
Head & Expression
The head is moderately long and broad with a well-defined stop. The muzzle is long and strong, with a straight or slightly Roman profile. The beard and bushy eyebrows are characteristic features that protect the face during cover work.
Eyes are large, round, and dark amber to brown, displaying an intelligent, keen expression. Ears are medium-sized, set high, lying flat and close to the head. The overall expression combines alertness with good nature.
Movement & Gait
The Pudelpointer moves with a ground-covering, efficient gait that can be maintained for hours. The stride is long and free, with good reach and drive. Movement should appear effortless and tireless.
In the field, the breed works at a medium range with a methodical, thorough search pattern. Speed is moderate but sustainable, making them ideal for foot hunters who want their dog to work within gun range while covering ground thoroughly.
Character & Personality
The Pudelpointer inherits the best temperament traits from both parent breeds. From the Poodle comes exceptional intelligence, trainability, and problem-solving ability. From the Pointer comes hunting drive, bird sense, and field enthusiasm. The combination creates a dog that is both capable and cooperative.
Intelligence is the breed's hallmark - Pudelpointers are quick learners who understand what you want and genuinely try to please. They retain training well and often anticipate commands. This intelligence makes them a joy to train for those who appreciate a thinking dog.
At home, Pudelpointers are calm and affectionate family dogs who bond strongly with their people. They are not hyperactive or demanding, content to relax indoors after adequate exercise. However, they need mental stimulation and involvement in family activities.
The breed is typically friendly and stable, lacking the nervousness sometimes seen in other wirehaired breeds. They are good with children and usually accepting of strangers once introduced, though they may be initially reserved.
Strengths
- + Exceptionally intelligent
- + Highly trainable
- + Calm home temperament
- + Excellent with family
- + Outstanding water work
Considerations
- ! Needs adequate exercise
- ! Requires mental stimulation
- ! Strong prey drive
- ! May be reserved with strangers
- ! Coat requires maintenance
Living Situation
- • House with yard ideal
- • Active owners essential
- • Adaptable to various climates
- • Regular outdoor access needed
- • Not for inactive lifestyles
Compatibility
With Children
Excellent with children. Patient, gentle, and protective. Their calm nature and sturdy build make them great family dogs.
With Other Dogs
Generally good with other dogs. Socialization important for best results. Usually works well with other hunting dogs.
With Cats/Small Pets
Strong prey drive requires caution. Can learn to accept household cats if raised together, but supervision recommended.
Training Philosophy
Pudelpointers are among the most trainable of all hunting breeds, thanks to their Poodle heritage intelligence combined with their strong desire to work with their handler. They respond exceptionally well to positive, consistent training and often seem to genuinely enjoy the training process.
Their intelligence means they learn quickly - often faster than handlers expect. This same intelligence can lead to boredom with repetitive training, so variety and progression are important. They retain training well and rarely need extensive repetition once a concept is understood.
Basic Obedience
Foundation Commands
Pudelpointers typically master basic commands in just a few sessions. Their eagerness to please and quick understanding make foundation training straightforward.
Recall Training
Generally reliable on recall when properly trained. Their cooperative nature and handler focus make them more biddable than many hunting breeds.
Problem Solving
Their intelligence allows them to understand complex commands and sequences. They can learn to respond to whistle commands, hand signals, and verbal cues simultaneously.
Socialization
Critical Period (8-16 weeks)
Thorough early socialization produces confident adults. Expose puppies to varied environments, people, animals, and situations during this crucial window.
Continued Exposure
Maintain social experiences through adolescence. The breed's natural stability benefits from ongoing positive encounters.
Gun Introduction
Typically not gun shy when properly introduced. Use gradual, positive exposure methods. Their stable temperament makes gun conditioning straightforward.
Field Training
Natural Abilities
- Strong pointing instinct from Pointer heritage
- Exceptional water work from Poodle heritage
- Excellent nose and tracking ability
- Natural retrieving desire
Training Focus Areas
- Steadiness to wing and shot
- Honoring other dogs' points
- Blind retrieves and hand signals
- Blood tracking refinement
Training Tips
- • Keep training sessions varied - they bore easily with repetition
- • Use their intelligence - teach complex sequences
- • Positive reinforcement works best - they're naturally cooperative
- • Introduce water early - they typically love it
Health Overview
The Pudelpointer is generally a healthy, hardy breed with a lifespan of 12-14 years. The breed has benefited from careful breeding practices in North America that prioritize health and hunting ability. The PCNA's requirement for NAVHDA testing before breeding has helped maintain overall breed quality.
The relatively small but carefully managed gene pool means responsible breeding is essential. Reputable breeders conduct recommended health screenings and work to maintain genetic diversity while preserving breed characteristics.
Primary Health Concerns
Hip Dysplasia
Can occur in the breed though less common than in some large breeds. Breeding stock should have OFA or PennHIP evaluation. Maintain healthy weight in puppies.
Eye Conditions
Some lines may be prone to entropion or cataracts. Annual eye examinations recommended. Most conditions are treatable if caught early.
Skin Issues
Some dogs may develop skin allergies or hot spots, particularly related to the wire coat. Regular grooming and proper coat maintenance help prevent issues.
Recommended Health Tests
Green = Required by PCNA. Amber = Recommended.
Preventive Care
Exercise
1-2 hours of active exercise daily. Swimming is excellent and natural for this breed. Avoid intense exercise until growth is complete (~18 months).
Weight Management
Maintain lean body condition throughout life. Obesity is uncommon in active hunting dogs but can occur in pets without adequate exercise.
Regular Checkups
Annual veterinary exams with attention to eyes and joints. Senior dogs (8+) benefit from twice-yearly checkups with bloodwork.
Lifespan & Aging
Pudelpointers typically live 12-14 years, with some reaching 15 years. They often remain active hunters well into their senior years. The breed generally ages gracefully, maintaining enthusiasm for work longer than many breeds. Watch for signs of arthritis as they age and adjust activity accordingly.
Hunting Style & Capabilities
The Pudelpointer was designed from the start as the ultimate versatile hunting dog, and the breed delivers on that promise. Baron von Zedlitz's careful breeding program combined the Poodle's water abilities with the Pointer's field instincts to create a dog equally capable in the uplands or the marsh.
In the field, Pudelpointers work at a moderate, sustainable pace with excellent ground coverage. They're known for their bird sense - the ability to find and handle game effectively. Their points are typically stylish and solid, reflecting their Pointer heritage, while their retrieving and water work reflect their Poodle ancestry.
Upland Hunting
Pudelpointers excel in the uplands with strong pointing instinct, excellent nose, and the stamina to hunt all day. Their wire coat protects them in thick cover where shorthaired breeds might hesitate.
Primary Upland Game
Waterfowl Work
This is where the Poodle heritage truly shines. Pudelpointers are natural water dogs with enthusiasm that matches dedicated retriever breeds. Their wire coat provides excellent insulation for cold-water work.
Water Capabilities
- Exceptional natural water entry
- Strong swimming stamina
- Excellent cold-water tolerance
Tracking & Blood Work
Like other German versatile breeds, Pudelpointers have excellent tracking abilities. Their Poodle heritage contributes a superior nose and the intelligence to work out difficult scent problems. They can follow wounded game effectively over challenging terrain.
Blood tracking is part of NAVHDA testing, and Pudelpointers typically perform well in this component. Their combination of nose, persistence, and handler focus makes them effective at recovering wounded deer.
Tracking Applications
- Wounded deer recovery
- Crippled bird recovery
- Shed antler hunting
- General scent work
Ideal Hunting Situations
- • Mixed-bag hunting (upland + waterfowl)
- • Harsh weather conditions
- • Heavy cover and thick brush
- • Cold-water retrieves
- • Foot hunters wanting one dog for everything
- • NAVHDA testing and competitions
Grooming Requirements
Coat Care
The wire coat is designed to be low-maintenance in the field but does require regular attention to maintain proper texture. Hand-stripping helps maintain the harsh texture that provides weather protection.
- Brush weekly to prevent matting
- Hand-strip 2-3 times yearly
- Check for debris after hunting
- Bathe only when necessary
Beard & Face
The characteristic beard requires regular cleaning to prevent food buildup and odor. After meals and water, a quick wipe keeps the beard fresh.
- Wipe beard after meals
- Keep eyebrows trimmed for vision
- Check for burrs in facial hair
Ear Care
Medium-length ears need regular checking, especially after water work.
- • Check and clean ears weekly
- • Dry after swimming
- • Watch for odor or discharge
- • Keep ear canal hair trimmed
Dental Care
Regular dental care prevents disease and maintains overall health.
- • Brush teeth 2-3 times weekly
- • Provide dental chews
- • Annual professional cleaning
- • Monitor for issues
Nail Care
Active hunting dogs may wear nails naturally, but regular checks are still important.
- • Trim every 2-4 weeks if needed
- • Check dewclaws regularly
- • Keep styptic powder available
- • File rough edges
Exercise & Activity Needs
Daily Requirements
Recommended Activities
- Hunting and field work
- Swimming (their favorite!)
- NAVHDA training and testing
- Hiking and trail running
- Retrieving games
Nutrition
Feed a high-quality dog food appropriate for age and activity level. Working dogs benefit from higher-protein, higher-fat formulas during hunting season. Divide daily rations into two meals to reduce bloat risk.
2.5-3.5 cups
Daily food (adult, moderate activity)
26-30%
Protein content (working dogs)
2 meals
Daily feeding frequency
Finding a Pudelpointer
The Pudelpointer remains a relatively rare breed in North America, with most puppies coming from PCNA member breeders. Expect wait times of 1-2 years from quality breeders. The breed's rarity has been beneficial, as demand remains among serious hunters who value the breed's working abilities.
The Pudelpointer Club of North America (PCNA) requires all breeding dogs to pass NAVHDA Natural Ability tests, ensuring hunting ability remains the primary selection criteria. The club maintains a breeder directory and registry.
What to Look For
Breeder should be an active PCNA member
Both parents must have NA Prize I scores (PCNA requirement)
Hip and eye testing documented
Breeder hunts their dogs
Red Flags to Avoid
Lack of club involvement may indicate poor breeding practices
Parents should have documented hunting test scores
Quality breeders have waiting lists
Responsible breeders test breeding stock
Cost Expectations
$1,500-$2,500
Typical puppy price
1-2 years
Average wait time
6-10
Average litter size
Breed Resources
- • Pudelpointer Club of North America (PCNA) - Official breed club and registry
- • NAVHDA - North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association
- • Verein Pudelpointer e.V. - German parent club
Is This Breed Right for You?
Ideal For:
- • Hunters wanting ultimate versatility
- • Those who appreciate trainable, intelligent dogs
- • Active families with outdoor lifestyle
- • Owners who hunt both upland and waterfowl
Not Ideal For:
- • Sedentary households
- • Those wanting AKC-registered dogs
- • Owners unable to provide exercise
- • Those needing immediate availability
Ready to Hunt with a Pudelpointer?
Find hunting locations and guides to experience the pudelpointer in action.
Browse Hunting Guides