Pointer is a broad label that covers the English Pointer and the popular German Shorthaired Pointer, both athletic gundogs bred to range, find game and point. Most weigh around 20 to 32 kilos and are lean, fast and built for stamina. Pointers are friendly, biddable and people-loving, and they combine a keen working drive with a genuinely affectionate, easygoing nature at home once their exercise needs are met. They are enthusiastic, energetic dogs that thrive on activity and company.
Pointers reach Sydney and NSW rescue most often when their energy is underestimated, particularly by homes that were not ready for a working gundog's need to run. A bored Pointer can become restless and destructive. Purebred Pointers turn up less often than crosses, so Pointer crosses, including German Shorthaired Pointer crosses, appear more regularly, and the foster carer or shelter assessment of the individual dog with people, children and other animals matters more than the breed label.
A Pointer suits an active owner or family who enjoy running, hiking or dog sports and can commit to daily exercise, training and company. In the right home it is friendly, trainable and devoted. Browse the Pointers and Pointer crosses currently listed from rescues and shelters across Sydney and New South Wales.
Showing 5 dogs
Fido
1 year old • Pointer x Staffordshire Terrier
Sydney Dogs and Cats Home
Indra
1 Year 7 Months • Australian Cattle Dog / Pointer
RSPCA NSW
Kindred
1 years • Pointer
Animal Welfare League NSW
Ruby
About 6 years old • Bull Arab X Pointer
Monika's Doggie Rescue
Yankee
About 6 years old • Bull Arab X Pointer
Monika's Doggie Rescue
Get notified when a Pointer is listed
We will email you when a Pointer or Pointer cross becomes available for adoption in Sydney, from a rescue or an owner rehoming.
Need to rehome a Pointer?
If you can no longer keep your Pointer, listing it for rehoming on LocalPetFinder connects it directly with adopters across Sydney and NSW, and keeps it out of a shelter. It is free.
List your dog for rehoming →Pointer Adoption FAQ
Where can I adopt a Pointer near me in Sydney?
LocalPetFinder lists Pointers available for adoption from rescues across Sydney and New South Wales, including the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, Western Sydney and the Sutherland Shire. Rescues that regularly take in dogs of this type include RSPCA NSW at Yagoona and Animal Welfare League NSW at Kemps Creek, alongside foster-based groups. Listings update regularly, so browse the Pointers above and apply directly through the rescue.
Are there Pointer rescues near Sydney?
Yes. Several Sydney and NSW rescues regularly have Pointers and Pointer crosses, including RSPCA NSW, Animal Welfare League NSW, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Monika's Doggie Rescue and Maggie's Rescue, plus breed-focused foster networks. A dedicated single-breed rescue is not always active, so the fastest path is to set an alert here and watch the general rescues. Use LocalPetFinder to see which rescues currently have Pointers available near you.
Are these Pointers for sale in Sydney?
Not for sale, for adoption, which is usually the better deal. Every Pointer here comes from a Sydney or NSW rescue, not a breeder or classified seller, and the adoption fee already includes desexing, vaccination and microchipping. That fee is typically a few hundred dollars, against often several thousand from a breeder with none of the vet work done. If you searched "pointer for sale sydney", adopting gets you a vetted dog for a fraction of the price.
Where can I buy a Pointer in Sydney, and should I?
You can buy from a registered breeder, but it is worth weighing against adoption first. A reputable breeder often charges several thousand dollars and may have a waitlist, while a rescue Pointer costs a few hundred dollars fully vetted and may be available now. Be cautious of cheap "for sale" ads on classified sites and marketplaces, which are a known hotspot for scams and backyard breeding. The ACCC Scamwatch has documented deposit scams for pets that do not exist. For most Sydney families, adopting a rescue Pointer is cheaper, faster and gives a dog in need a home.
What health problems do Pointers have?
Pointers are generally a healthy, athletic breed with fewer inherited problems than many popular breeds, which is one of their attractions. Like most large, active dogs they can be affected by hip dysplasia and some eye conditions, and the German Shorthaired Pointer, as a deep-chested breed, has some bloat risk worth being aware of. A rescue Pointer arrives desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and vet-checked, and any known issue is noted on the listing. Ask your vet about joint care and, for a deep-chested Pointer, bloat prevention.
Are Pointers good family dogs?
With an active family, yes. A well-socialised Pointer is friendly, gentle and playful, and many are good with children they are raised alongside. The main caution is energy: a young Pointer is bouncy, strong and enthusiastic, so supervision around small children and early, ongoing training both help. Pointers are people-loving dogs that do best when they are part of family life rather than left alone for long stretches. Each rescue notes how the individual dog has gone with children and other animals in foster or shelter care.
How much exercise does a Pointer need?
A lot. Plan on at least 90 minutes to two hours of real activity a day, and include some mental work through training or scent games. Pointers were bred to range and run, so they make excellent running, hiking and cycling companions and need far more than a gentle stroll. In a Sydney summer, exercise in the cool of the early morning or evening, carry water, and keep year-round paralysis tick prevention up if you walk in bushland or coastal areas.
Are Pointers good for first-time owners?
They can work for an active first-time owner, but only one who is genuinely committed to the exercise. Pointers are friendly and trainable, which counts in their favour, but the sheer energy of a working gundog can overwhelm someone expecting a low-key pet. If you are new to dogs but active, an older, calmer Pointer from rescue, whose energy level and temperament are already known, is a safer choice than a young one, and a reward-based training class helps.