People say Pointers, but pure pointers, bird only, are rare here. I prefer to use the term gun dogs. German short hair, German Wire Hair, Weimaraner (short and long hair) and others are all around hunting dogs, point, retrieve, flush and track. IMO a whole lot easier to train than hounds (sight hounds or scent hounds). Many of the hounds get on a scent or chase and all you can do is try to keep up. Pointers or gun dogs work closer with their handlers and are less prone to get out of control.

When an animal tries to hide they often point, then creep and flush. Unless they are in a scent heavy area, then they work that spot and flush.

I've used mine for Birds, Ducks, Hare, Rabbit, Hogs, Fox and more. They may not be as good as some of the specialists, but do most things well.

Here when a hunter wants a dog to work scent (or a blood trail) they put him on a long leash called a long line. It doesn't take the dog long to figure out what you want, training to a long line is easier than free training. Like walking a dog on a leash, the dog gets feedback from the long line. The down side is the long line tends to get tangled in brush or what not, it takes some technique.