Old Spanish Pointer

The Old Spanish Pointer, or Perro de Punta Español, is an extinct breed of Spanish pointing dogs known from the Early Modern Period; it is considered the first of its type from which all modern pointing dog breeds descend.^[1] It was used for hunting in Spain and England.^[2]

Old Spanish Pointer in 1915
Other names	Perro de Punta Español Spanish Pointer Old Spanish Perro de Punta Braco Español
Origin	Spain
Breed status	Extinct
Dog (domestic dog)

It was likely introduced to England some time during the early the 18th century, where it was known as the Spanish pointer. Various stories exist as to how the breed was imported. It was possibly introduced by a Portuguese merchant, or perhaps brought back to England by officers returning from the War of the Spanish Succession.^[2]

The Old Spanish Pointer was a medium sized muscular dog, larger than the English pointer, and with a broad chest. In terms of colouration, it was typically a mix of white with either brown, red, or black. Breed standards also allowed for the dog to be completely brown.^[3]

The Spanish Pointer by John Buckler (c. 1799). Currently, this painting is in the Yale Center for British Art in Connecticut, US.

References

1. Fogle, Bruce (2009). The encyclopedia of the dog. New York: DK Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7566-6004-8.
2. Arkwright, William (1906). The Pointer and His Predecessors: An Illustrated History of the Pointing Dog from the Earliest Times. A. L. Humphreys. pp. 22–28.
3. Mason, Walter Esplin (1915). "Spanish Breeds". Dogs of all nations. United States. p. 83.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)