Old Danish Pointing Dog — Breed Profile, Temperament, Care & Health

🐾 Overview

The Old Danish Pointing Dog (Gammel Dansk Hønsehund — literally "Old Danish Chicken Dog") is one of the oldest Scandinavian hunting breeds, with a documented history dating to the early 17th century. The breed was developed in Denmark by a farmer named Morten Bak who crossed Spanish dogs brought to the region with local farm dogs, creating a versatile, steady pointing dog well-suited to Denmark's varied terrain. For nearly 400 years, this breed has been a trusted partner for Danish hunters.

Medium in size with a short, dense white coat with brown spots and ticking, the Old Danish Pointing Dog has a distinctive handsome appearance. It is classified in FCI Group 7 alongside other pointing breeds. Though rare outside Denmark, it is respected as a national breed treasure — methodical, close-working, and supremely reliable in the field.

📸 Photo Gallery

Real Old Danish Pointing Dogs — browse photos showcasing their look, size, and personality.

😊 Temperament & Personality

The Old Danish Pointing Dog is a steady, gentle, and affectionate breed both in the field and at home. Unlike many high-strung hunting breeds, it has a calm, composed character that makes it a pleasant household companion when given sufficient exercise. It bonds closely with its family and is patient with children.

🎯 Steady and determined in the field — works methodically and close to the hunter
❤️ Affectionate and gentle with family members
👶 Patient and calm around children when well-exercised
🐕 Generally good with other dogs; socialization from puppyhood is still recommended
🏠 Calm indoors when given sufficient daily exercise
🧠 Intelligent and eager to please — responds well to consistent training

🏃 Exercise & Activity Needs

As a high-energy hunting breed, the Old Danish Pointing Dog needs substantial daily exercise and thrives when given a job to do. Without sufficient physical and mental stimulation, it can become restless and destructive. Ideally it should be worked in the field or given similarly demanding exercise.

🏃 Needs 60–90 minutes of vigorous exercise daily
🌾 Excels at hunting, field work, tracking, and scent games
🌳 A securely fenced yard is highly beneficial for off-leash exercise
🧩 Mental stimulation via nose work or training prevents boredom
🚶 Long walks and jogs are a good substitute when field work isn't possible
⚠️ Not well-suited to apartment living without exceptional exercise commitment

✂️ Grooming & Coat Care

The Old Danish Pointing Dog has a short, dense, smooth coat that is easy to maintain and highly practical for outdoor hunting work. It is a low-maintenance breed in terms of grooming.

🖌️ Weekly brushing with a rubber curry comb or bristle brush keeps the coat clean
🛁 Bathe every 6–8 weeks, or more frequently after field work
👂 Check and clean ears regularly — floppy ears are prone to infection, especially after water or field work
🦷 Brush teeth 2–3 times per week for dental health
✂️ Trim nails monthly; check paw pads after field work for cuts or thorns
🍂 Shedding is moderate — a weekly brush keeps loose hair under control

🎓 Training

The Old Danish Pointing Dog is an intelligent, cooperative breed with a strong desire to work alongside its handler. It responds well to positive reinforcement and patient, consistent training. Hunting instincts are strong, so early obedience training is especially important for pet owners.

✅ Positive, reward-based training produces the best results
🎯 Natural hunting instincts make gun-dog training highly intuitive for this breed
📋 Early obedience from 8 weeks ensures good household manners
🧒 Socialize broadly with people, children, and other animals in puppyhood
🔄 Vary training sessions to keep this intelligent breed engaged
🐕 Recall training is critical given their strong hunting drive near wildlife

🏥 Health & Common Issues

The Old Danish Pointing Dog is generally a healthy, robust breed. Responsible breeders screen for hip dysplasia and eye conditions. Ears should be checked regularly given their hunting lifestyle, as floppy ears can trap moisture and lead to infections.

Hip Dysplasia Eye Conditions Ear Infections Obesity (if under-exercised)

Average Lifespan

12–14 years

Size Category

Medium — 40–53 lbs

Vet Visits

Annual wellness exams + vaccinations

Pet Insurance

Strongly recommended for all breeds

🏠 Is an Old Danish Pointing Dog Right for You?

The Old Danish Pointing Dog is ideal for active hunters, outdoors enthusiasts, and families who can commit to high daily exercise. Its gentle, calm home temperament makes it a pleasant family companion, but its high field-work energy means it needs a substantial outlet. Best suited to rural or suburban homes with space to run.

👶With Kids★★★★☆

🐕With Dogs★★★★☆

🐈With Cats★★★☆☆

🏠Apartment★★☆☆☆

🔰First-Time Owner★★★☆☆

🌡️Hot Climates★★★★☆

🐾 Related Breeds

🍽️ How Much to Feed an Old Danish Pointing Dog

Old Danish Pointing Dogs are active, medium-sized hunting dogs that need a high-quality, protein-rich diet to fuel their fieldwork. Feed based on your dog's weight, age, and activity level — a dog worked regularly in the field will need more calories than a pet dog with daily walks.

Puppy (8–12 weeks)

3–4 small meals per day

Puppy (3–6 months)

3 meals per day

Adult (1+ year)

2 meals per day

Senior (7+ years)

2 smaller meals per day

✅ Best Foods for Old Danish Pointing Dogs

🥩 High-quality kibble with real meat as the first ingredient — chicken, duck, or fish work well
🐟 Omega-3 fatty acids support joint health and coat condition in active dogs
⚡ Performance or active-formula kibble is appropriate for dogs worked regularly in the field
🥕 Fresh vegetables like carrots and green beans add fiber and variety
💧 Ensure fresh water is always available — especially important after field work

🚫 Foods That Are Dangerous for Old Danish Pointing Dogs

Chocolate Grapes & Raisins Onions & Garlic Xylitol (artificial sweetener) Macadamia Nuts Alcohol Avocado Raw yeast dough

🦴 Healthy Treats

Carrots — low calorie, great for dental health
Blueberries — antioxidants and a sweet reward
Plain cooked chicken or turkey (no seasoning)
Apple slices (remove seeds and core)
Plain rice cakes — low-calorie training reward

💡 Tip: Boarding your Old Danish Pointing Dog?

Always bring your Old Danish Pointing Dog's regular food when boarding. Switching food suddenly can cause digestive upset.

💰 How Much Does an Old Danish Pointing Dog Cost?

Reputable Breeder

$800–$2,000

Show / Champion Lines

$2,000–$3,500

Rescue / Adoption

$100–$500

Backyard Breeder ⚠️

Varies (risky)

📅 Monthly Cost of Owning an Old Danish Pointing Dog

Food (quality kibble)

$50–$80/month

Vet visits (annual)

$400–$800/year

Pet insurance

$30–$70/month

Grooming

Minimal — $20–$40/month at home

Toys & supplies

$15–$35/month

Training classes

$100–$300 (one-time)

🎉 Amazing Facts About Old Danish Pointing Dogs

🇩🇰 The Old Danish Pointing Dog is one of the oldest purebred hunting dogs in all of Scandinavia, with roots traceable to the early 1600s.
👨‍🌾 The breed was originally developed by a single Danish farmer, Morten Bak, through a careful 8-generation breeding program using Spanish hunting dogs.
🐦 Its Danish name "Hønsehund" means "chicken dog" — a reference to its original purpose of pointing and flushing game birds.
📏 The breed works close to the hunter, making it ideally suited to the flat, densely vegetated terrain of Denmark.
🏆 The breed nearly disappeared in the late 19th and early 20th centuries but was revived by dedicated Danish breed enthusiasts.
🌍 Outside Denmark the breed is extremely rare, and most breeding programs remain concentrated in Scandinavia.
🎨 Their distinctive white-and-brown ticked coat is one of the most recognizable patterns among European pointing breeds.