This Ultra Rare Dog Breed Isn’t What You Think – And You Probably Can’t Own One! Meet the Pudelpointer
Pudelpointers might sound like a trendy new Doodle mix, but they’re actually an ultra-rare breed of hunting dogs from Germany with over 100 years of history. TikTok star Abby Jimenez recently introduced her Pudelpointer, Tess, to her audience, sparking confusion and curiosity about this uncommon breed. People kept asking, “is that a Doodle?
Pudelpointers might sound like a fancy new Doodle mix, but Pudelpointers are the result of careful, purpose-driven breeding. They’re known for their intelligence, strong work ethic, and versatile hunting skills. In fact, these dogs are so specialized that most breeders only sell them to active hunters.
While the Pudelpointer is by no definition a Doodle, today’s “designer mixed breed” enthusiasts could learn an important lesson about ethical breeding from the history of the Pudelpointer. If you’ve never heard of this breed, you’re not alone, so let’s dive into everything you need to know about the rare and hard-to-acquire Pudelpointer.
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Meet X Pudelpointers from Instagram
You might not guess that Pudelpointers have Poodle ancestry just by looking at them. Pudelpointers are rough-coated with wiry hairs that lie flat and come in two standard Pudelpointer colors: black and liver. Pudelpointers have a cute little beard, floppy ears, and are born with a long tail that is traditionally docked.
You probably haven’t found any results for “Pudelpointer puppies near me” on Google, and that’s for two reasons. First, the breed is rare, with only around 200 Pudelpointer puppies born each year. Second, you can’t buy a Pudelpointer unless you’re a hunter, which means you probably won’t see them at your local dog park. Since you might never meet a Pudelpointer in real life, take a moment to enjoy virtually meeting these Pudelpointers from Instagram.
1. Cleopatra
Cleopatra is a gorgeous Pudelpointer from Missouri who is demonstrating a perfect point! An amazing gun dog, Cleopatra loves hunting with her human.
2. Anka
Anka is a five-year-old Pudelpointer with a cheeky personality and a love for lounging. Anka is a good hunting dog, but she’s an even better friend!
3. Tuna
Wondering what a Pudelpointer puppy looks like? Tuna is one year old, but this is what she looked like when she was just a baby. Pretty darn cute, right?
4. Blu
Blu is a gorgeous black Pudelpointer who makes the perfect photography model. Can you see the focus in his eyes? Pudelpointers love their jobs.
5. Willie
Willie is a beautiful Pudelpointer with a very interesting coat that looks almost ticked with gray fur. A distinguished gentleman, Willie is also an experienced hunting dog.
6. Fergus
Handsome Fergus is a six-year-old Pudelpointer from Salt Lake City, Utah who is just as good at retrieving toys as he is at retrieving game. Fergus lives a super fun life, and his favorite things to do include swimming, hiking, and finding a lap to sit on.
Pudelpointer History & Breed Information
Modern Pudelpointers are purebred dogs with clear breed standards, but like most dog breeds, they began as a mix. Developed in Germany in the late 1800s, the first two dogs used to establish the Pudelpointer breed were a male English Pointer and a female German hunting Poodle. The Poodle belonged to Baron von Zedlitz—a well-known writer of hunting literature—who eventually developed the breeding program for the Pudelpointer and used his influence to connect with dedicated hunters who could help contribute to his breeding stock.
Here’s where Doodle breeders could learn a thing or two. Instead of repeatedly crossing Poodles and English Pointers, Pudelpointers were established by crossing mixed-breed offspring back to English Pointers only until they reached a set breed standard. Today, Pudelpointers are purebred dogs who are only bred to each other and never need to be crossed. Ethical dog breeders trying to establish a new breed make deliberate choices to improve each consecutive generation, and they don’t stop after 3–4 generations of breeding.
Pudelpointers arrived in North America in 1956, around three-quarters of a century after German Pudelpointer breeders began developing this versatile hunting dog. Today’s most well-established Pudelpointer breeding programs are in Germany and the United States, but that doesn’t mean this breed is common in the US. Only around 200 Pudelpointer puppies are born in the United States annually, and most will be sold exclusively to become hunting Pudelpointers.
Pudelpointer Temperament
Pudelpointers were created using a “versatile” breeding method and are considered versatile hunting dogs. This means they are bred to perform a variety of tasks unlike standard hunting dogs, which are bred for one specific task like retrieving in water. Pudelpointer hunting dogs point and retrieve on land and in water, making them immensely valuable for hunters. Driven, intelligent, and focused, Pudelpointers are also high-energy and need at least 1–2 hours of exercise per day plus additional mental stimulation.
Pudelpointers have an innate eagerness to please that makes them highly trainable, but they do need the expertise of a seasoned dog owner and are not recommended for first-timers. While Pudelpointers are friendly they aren’t very physically affectionate and sometimes prefer adult-only homes. Pudelpointers can also be person-selective and may form an attachment to one family member in particular.
Some Pudelpointers can be mischievous and will make their own fun if not given an outlet to burn off energy. Luckily, many Pudelpointers are playful and respond well to redirection with toys, treats, and positive reinforcement.
Pudelpointer Size
Pudelpointers are large to medium-sized dogs that stand 22–26 inches tall and weigh 45–70 pounds.
Pudelpointer Health
Pudelpointers are considered generally healthy dogs, but some individuals may be at risk for both inherited and acquired health conditions like:
- Ear infections
- Skin infections
- Joint problems (e.g. elbow and hip dysplasia)
- Bloat
- Epilepsy
Why You Might Not Be Able To Own A Pudelpointer
If you’ve been searching for a Pudelpointer with no luck, you’re probably asking “Why is it so hard to find Pudelpointer puppies for sale near me?”
Most reputable Pudelpointer dog breeders will only sell puppies to hunters. “At Rock Creek we breed hunting dogs. We do not sell pets,” says the FAQ section of Rock Creek Pudelpointers’ website. “We do not sell to non-hunting families or as surprise gifts for the hunter in the family. Please have the individual who will be hunting the dog contact us.”
When you breed dogs with a purpose and not for profit, it becomes really important for you to find the right homes for them. Because of this, most people simply don’t qualify to purchase Pudelpointer dogs for sale by breeder but you might be able to find a Pudelpointer rescue. You probably won’t find a Pudelpointer mix, though, since Pudelpointer breeding is so highly regulated.
Though it’s rare to find an available dog, the North American Pudelpointer Society has a Pudelpointer adoption page where you can find the occasional adoptable pup. If you are a hunter and are interested in owning a Pudelpointer, check out the breeder referral resources from the Pudelpointer Club of North America and the North American Pudelpointer Alliance.
Pudelpointer FAQ
Need more Pudelpointer facts to impress your friends? Let’s learn what other dog lovers are curious about the Pudelpointer.
Is the Pudelpointer hypoallergenic?
No. The Pudelpointer is not hypoallergenic, but they do shed less than most pointer breeds.
Do Pudelpointers shed?
Yes. Although they are double-coated, Pudelpointer shedding is minimal but may increase slightly as the seasons change. Pudelpointers don’t need to be trimmed, but they can benefit from brushing to remove stuck fur from their undercoats.
How much does a Pudelpointer cost?
A Pudelpointer for sale by a breeder can be quite expensive, especially since there are so few Pudelpointer breeders (near me, or anywhere else in the US.) On average Pudelpointers for sale will go for $1,800—$2,500, but Pudelpointer prices can easily increase if you choose a breeder from overseas.
How long do Pudelpointers live?
Pudelpointers live around 12–14 years.
Do Pudelpointers bark a lot?
No. Pudelpointers are a very vocal breed, but will occasionally bark like any other dog. Pudelpointers mostly bark out of excitement or stimulation, and will rarely bark just for the fun of it.
Can Pudelpointers do well in cities and apartments?
It is possible to own a Pudelpointer in a small space or an urban setting, but most Pudelpointer breeders only sell to avid hunters, most of whom live in more rural areas.
Do Pudelpointers like to swim?
Yes! Most Pudelpointers enjoy swimming and are bred to be excellent in the water. Pudelpointers even have webbed toes that help them become strong, fast swimmers.
Are Pudelpointers AKC recognized?
Yes! Pudelpointers are an AKC-recognized dog breed and have been approved for Pointing Breed Hunt Tests since 2016.
Are Pudelpointer tails docked?
Yes. Breed standards call for Pudelpointers to have their tails docked.
