A
pointing breed is a
type of
gundog typically used in finding
game. Gundogs are traditionally divided into three classes:
retrievers,
flushing dogs, and pointing breeds. The name
pointer comes from the dog's instinct to
point, by stopping and aiming its muzzle towards game. This demonstrates to the hunter the location of his or her quarry and allows them to move into gun range. Pointers were
selectively bred from dogs who had abundant pointing and backing instinct. They typically start to acquire their hunting instincts at about 2 months of age.