Have you ever looked at your pup in confusion as he stood, stock-still, staring at something only he could see? This behavior is called pointing. Why do dogs point? Can any breed of dog be taught to point? Pointing isn't often a skill pet parents teach their pups, but teaching him this special skill may have its benefits.

What Does A Pointing Dog Look Like?

A dog "points" by freezing his body, often with one front paw up, and aiming his nose at a particular spot. He will do this to bring attention to something and notify his pet parent of where to look. Although many people associate this behavior with dogs historically bred for hunting, other breeds can and will point.

What does it mean when a dog points? Usually, it's that he found something interesting. That could be a duck, a squirrel or even a tennis ball. Some dog breeds have the word in their name, such as the German shorthaired pointer, because of their love of finding, pointing at and flushing out small animals.

The American Kennel Club places pointers into the "sporting class" of dogs. This group also includes spaniels, retrievers and setters. If you have noticed that your dog likes to point at things and does it frequently, his breed may be more naturally inclined to do this action. If he's a mutt, it may even help you to figure out some of his ancestors!

When it comes to sporting dog breeds, another thing to keep in mind is their unique mix of independent thinking and collaborative attitude. So why do dogs point in front of people? While they are comfortable investigating their surroundings on their own, they also enjoy working with other dogs and being a companion to their humans. The pointing action helps fulfill both aspects of their special personality.