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Breed Characteristics
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Old Danish Pointer
| Other Names | Old Danish Chicken Dog, Gammel Dansk Honsehund, Old Danish Bird Dog, Old Danish Pointing Dog, Altdänischer Hühnerhund, Ancien chien d'arrêt danois |
| Country of Origin | Denmark |
| Weight | Males: 66 – 77 lbs. (30 – 35 kg) Females: 57 – 68 lbs. (26 – 31 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 21 – 24 in. (54 – 60 cm), above 22 in. (56 cm) preferred. Females: 20 – 22 in.(50 – 56 cm), above 20 in. (52 cm) preferred. |
| Coat | Short, somewhat hard and dense. |
| Colour | Liver and white, a small amount of ticking allowed. |
| Litter Size | 3 - 6 puppies |
| Life Span | 12 - 14 years |
| Origin & History | The origin of the breed can be traced back to about the year 1710 when a man named Morten Bak, living in Glenstrup near the towns of Randers and Hobro, crossed gypsy dogs through 8 generations with local farm dogs and in this way established a pure breed of piebald white and brown dogs called Bakhounds or Old Danish Pointers. The local farmers called their farm dogs Bloodhounds, but it seems more likely that these hounds were offspring from the Squire’s scent hounds, which in turn were descended primarily from St. Hubert Hounds. Likewise it is probable that the gypsy dogs generally descended from Spanish Pointing Dogs and other breeds of scent hounds, so in many ways St.Hubert Hounds have contributed to the Old Danish Pointer. |
| Personality | Conveys the impression of a quiet and stable dog showing determination and courage. During the hunt, the dog progresses rather slowly, always maintaining contact with the hunter and accomplishing its task as a pointing dog without creating unnecessary disturbance of the ground. The breed is suited for small as well as large hunting grounds. The name has nothing to do with temperament, but refers to its ability to point out birds of the order Galliformes and specifically birds belonging to the family Phasianidae. Commonly referred to in Danish as Hen birds/Chicken birds. The often used English name, "Old Danish Chicken Dog" is therefore incorrect or at best badly translated. This is a friendly family dog, as long as it gets its exercise. It is fast and active outdoors and quiet indoors, but is not suitable for apartments or small yards. |
Care Requirements
| Health | There are no known breed-specific health concerns. |
| Grooming | This dog does not require a large amount of grooming. Their smooth short-haired coat is easy to look after. Owners will simply want to make sure the coat is brushed on a consistent basis. These dogs should only be given baths when they need it. A wipe down with a damp towel should suffice for the bathing aspect, (although you should bathe it with mild soap only if or when necessary; you should also dry shampoo it occasionally), however a rubber, wire, or hard bristled brush would work best for the brushing aspect. The shedding patterns of these dogs are not known. Be sure to check the ears carefully for signs of infection. The nails should also be trimmed, (particularly to avoid nail-born infections). |
| Exercise | This is a hunting dog that needs extensive amounts of exercise. Without it, the dog could become problematic for its owners. It should be taken on walks daily, and this dog is great for healthy people who love to jog and hike. |
| Other Considerations | While it can live in an apartment, it may perform better in a small yard. It is important for owners to make sure this dog is never unleashed in an unsecured area, as it may run off in the direction of the first interesting scent it picks up. It is important for owners to make sure these dogs are given lots of space to move around in. |
