josie
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English Pointer - 3 yrs - looking for new homeTaken from Our Dogs - Pointer people, what d'you think?! Is it surprising a Pointer is more interested in birds than...drugs?! 
"CHASING CRIMINALS demands a clear head, dedication, concentration and nerves of steel. Wannabe canine crime fighters distracted by passing rabbits, birds or squeaky toys need not apply.
Which is exactly why ex-police sniffer dog Jack found himself sacked from no less than three different jobs. Jack is now seeking a new position as a family pet.
As a puppy, experts believed Jack had a glittering career ahead, and he was quickly snapped up by Bullingdon Prison, near Bicester, Oxon. However, while sniffing prison visitors arriving at the jail, it soon became clear that Jack was more interested in chasing birds than banned substances.
He then went on to West Midlands Police, where officers soon realised he was not up to the job. And a few months later, Surrey Police also reached the same conclusion.
Now three-year-old Jack, an English Pointer, is living at Ardley Rescue Kennels, near Bicester, where staff are desperate to find him a new home.
Annabelle Pottle, who works at the kennels, said: "He's supposed to be a drugs sniffer dog and all he wants to do is chase birds. He chased pigeons and not the heroin addicts, so he was sacked. At Bullingdon he had to search vehicles and visitors but as soon as he goes outside he's obsessed with looking for pigeons and rabbits."
Annabelle said Jack had not forgotten his training and would need a very patient new owner.
She said: "It's got to be someone quite understanding, as he still searches. When he walks into a house he's going to search it a few times. We are trying to find him a home where there are no small animals like rabbits or birds, or even small dogs, because he will chase them. But he's really good with people and bigger dogs. He's a very active dog but he's lovely, really affectionate."
* To find out more and maybe offer Jack a new position as a family pet, call the kennels on 01869 346307. "
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madmax
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In the first place? Why??????
I've never heard of a Pointer being considered for such work before.
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munstyman
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I definately could not have him, as I am aware that several drug deals/deliveries occur on the ground that I walk my dogs   .
So this and rabbits and birds would probably drive the dog nuts 
Peter
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Gunfield
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Ive heard of Vizslas being used or trained for drug work im not sure how many if any finally make the grade 
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Allyson
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There are many HPRs that are used for passive drug detection work, including GWPs, GSPs and Weims that I personally know of.
I am wondering if the newspaper article is a misprint and the dog IS an HPR not an English Pointer.
I don't know of anyone that would train an EP in any professional capacity that would CHOOSE one for various reasons; I would be interested to know if there ARE any EPs that are used for passive detection though.
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MiLisCer
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I handled an English for about 4 months in NI in the early 90s before he came to a sticky end, he was a fantastic FX search dog. (pain with sheep! - but a fantastic search dog)
Mike
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Allyson
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I wonder (without being controversial) whether their lack of use is due to their numbers, size or possibly tail?
I know that springers etc are popular because they can reach places others cannot, and HPRs tend to be used more for passive detection than active detection.
Would their lack of coat also be an issue do you think?
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MiLisCer
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No,
We take what is available, the majority are donations, so we get far more springers and labs as far more people buy them on the spur of the moment and then dispose of them when they realise they didn't actually want a dog.
Tail/coat has nothing to do with it what soever.
Springers are popular, because you can get lots of them, they are busy and biddable.
"passive" search is relatively new - mid 90s onwards and is only used in the public sphere when searching people etc, as you dont want a dog climbing all over someone.
Mike
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Alkemist
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My sister in law has a black lab that was a failed drugs dog - he was over enthusiastic apparently hehe. I always wonder whether he would just go and sit in front of someone who had something on them - have yet to find out.
Nina
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tashap
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I've got a similar thing only he's a black and white spaniel, crunches game so no good for shooting either  but has made a great family pet 
I know someone on nobs has just lost a pointer, maybe he might be interested??
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MiLisCer
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Tasha,
Mandy, who lost Polly, has already posted within this thread.
Mike
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tashap
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ah ok, wasn't sure about whose who on here and on nobs
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