Pointers come from the Gundog group and the world of showing and working are very different. Some people will only show their dogs whereas others believe that as Pointers are a working dog, they should be worked.

Pointers are used on shoots to point at the game- usually pheasants - before the game is flushed ready for the shooters. The dogs do this by standing still with one front leg raised and their head pointing at the game. This is something, which comes naturally to Pointers; they do not have to be trained to point. Sometimes people use two Pointers, and they will do what is called "backing" where the second dog will stand behind the first dog as it points to the game.

When not being used at an actual shoot, there are field trials, where people compete with their Pointers. Sometimes these trials are just for Pointers, and some are for Setters as well. At trials, the dogs will be acting in a similar manner as to when they are at a shoot, and they will be working towards gaining their working title.

When showing Pointers, there are two main types of shows - the Championship Show and the Open Show. Both shows are run on the same basis where there are several classes for each breed, and the winner of each class will compete against each other.

At the Open Show, you compete for Best of Breed. Each of the classes will be for dogs and bitches. All Best of Breeds then compete for Best in Show. Some of the shows will have each Best of Breeds in their respective groups competing and the winner of each group will compete for Best in Show. At some shows, they just have all Best of Breeds competing together.

At a Championship Show, you will be competing for a Challenge Certificate. This type of show is run slightly different from an Open Show. At a Championship Show, the exhibits of each breed are divided into dogs and bitches. The dogs will be competing for Best Dog and the bitches will compete for Best Bitch with the best of each competing against each other for a Challenge Certificate. The winner of this becomes Best of Breed and go on to compete against all other Best of Breeds in that group to become Best of Group and then all the Best of Groups will be competing for Best in Show.

There is also a competition for Best Puppy at both types of shows where they will then go on to compete for Best Puppy in Show.

When a Pointer has gained three Challenge Certificates, they then become a Show Champion.

Some people will work and show their Pointers and if they gain their Working Title as well as having gained three Challenge Certificates they will become a dual champion.

Both showing and trialing are very competitive with some exhibitors travelling a great distance in order for the dog to gain their title. It can be a very expensive pastime, but along the way you meet like-minded people and quite often strike up long friendships.