Apartment fit
The breed is not an easy apartment fit because it needs field-style movement and mental work, not just short pavement walks.
SportingMedium
Denmark
DenmarkOld Danish Pointing
Weight
57-77 lb
Height
19.7-23.6 in
Lifespan
11-14 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
The Old Danish Pointing Dog is a medium Danish gundog with a short white-and-brown coat, steady pointing style, and calm working temperament.
Danish pointing gundogShort white-and-brown coatSteady close-working field styleCalm at home with enough exercise
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Old Danish Pointing DogGammel Dansk Honsehund
CalmSteadyDeterminedAffectionateTrainableScent-driven
Weight
57-77 lb
Height
19.7-23.6 in
Lifespan
11-14 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
Moderate to High
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
1/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The Old Danish Pointing Dog, or Gammel Dansk Honsehund, is a Danish pointing breed developed for field work on game birds. It is the only Scandinavian pointer and is valued for a steady, close-working style rather than extreme speed.
The FCI standard describes a medium, strongly built pointing dog. Males are about 21 to 24 inches and females about 20 to 22 inches at the shoulder. The coat is short and dense, and the correct color is white with brown markings, often with brown ticking.
This breed can be calm and affectionate at home when exercised, but it is still a gundog. It needs field-style movement, scent work, recall practice, and patient training. Owners should ask breeders about hips, elbows, eyes, and working soundness, especially because the breed is uncommon outside northern Europe.
Temperament & Personality
CalmSteadyDeterminedAffectionateTrainableScent-driven
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a calm, steady, determined companion, with daily rhythms shaped by moderate to high energy, moderate barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Smooth
Coat length
Short
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
White and Brown, White with Brown Ticking
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids4/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers3/5
Apartment Friendly2/5
Exercise Needs4/5
Grooming Needs1/5
Trainability4/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- Room for routine exercise
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 4/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- active homes interested in gundog work
- owners with access to fields or scent-rich walks
- families wanting a steady sporting dog
- people who prefer a short easy-care coat
Not ideal for
- low-activity homes
- owners with no plan for recall and field training
- apartments without outdoor access
- people wanting a decorative companion only
Common challenges
- under-exercise
- recall around game scent
- field injuries
- ear care after outdoor work
Barking & behavior
The Old Danish Pointing Dog is not mainly a nuisance barker, but boredom and under-exercise can increase noise and restlessness.
Training style
Use calm, reward-based training tied to scent, retrieving, and steadiness. Avoid harsh handling with a close-working gundog.
Grooming & shedding
The short coat is simple, with weekly brushing and routine checks after field work.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most Old Danish Pointing Dogs need 60 to 90 minutes of daily movement, ideally including field walks, scent work, retrieving games, or structured gundog training.
Grooming
The short coat is easy to brush weekly. Check ears, feet, nails, and skin after field work or muddy walks.
Training
Use calm reward-based training with recall, steadiness, and leash manners. The breed often works best when lessons connect to scent and pointing tasks.
Nutrition
Feed measured meals for an active medium gundog and adjust portions around hunting or training seasons.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
Moderate to High
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
3/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather3/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Hip dysplasiaElbow dysplasiaEye disordersEar infectionsField injuries
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Old Danish Pointing Dog used for?
It is a Danish gundog used for pointing game birds and working closely with hunters in the field.
What color is the Old Danish Pointing Dog?
The standard color is white with brown markings, often with brown ticking.
Is the Old Danish Pointing Dog a large breed?
It is usually medium-sized, though strongly built, with adults roughly 20 to 24 inches tall depending on sex.
Can an Old Danish Pointing Dog live in an apartment?
Apartment life is difficult unless the owner provides substantial exercise and field-style mental work.
Does the Old Danish Pointing Dog need much grooming?
No. The short coat is low maintenance, but ears, feet, nails, and skin need checks after outdoor work.
Is the Old Danish Pointing Dog good for first-time owners?
It is usually better for owners who understand gundogs or are ready to get help with field-dog training and exercise.
What is the biggest challenge of owning this breed?
The main challenge is meeting its need for scent work, field movement, and steady training without letting the dog become bored.
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