When we respond to an enquiry to Pointers In Need, usually triggered by our Website or FB pages, we emphasise the traits Pointers can have.
We tell it like it is! Some people we don’t hear from again. And if that is because we have made them think, really think hard, about the responsibilities of owning a Pointer …. well that’s what we wanted!
We like adopters to have a realistic approach to homing a waif or stray, bred to be a working dog, who has found himself homeless, unwanted, uncared-for, maybe ill and starving.
So that’s the serious bit! In the bundle, when you adopt a Pointer, is a couch-potato, an ace cuddler, a therapy dog, and keep-fit enthusiast: a versatile and intelligent companion.
If it’s the choice you make, and you have the skills, you can have a loyal working dog as well.
Matt Jefford is one of those people with the skills. He has three Pointers In Need rescue dogs – Luke, Holly and Purdey – who he has trained to work (they’re family pets, seaside loving, accomplished sofa-buddies too!).
Matt is also Chairman of the Trustees of Pointers In Need.
This is Luke’s story.
Luke’s Second Chance: From Rescue to Purpose
‘From our first meeting, it was clear Luke, a black, one-year-old, had the energy and focus of a working-bred pointer. We hoped he’d take to gundog work, and approached training with patience, structure, and a breed-specific focus to help him thrive.
‘I’ve worked with other Pointers and understand the deep-rooted instincts they carry—instincts that don’t disappear just because a dog has changed hands or entered a pet home. Luke was no different. I saw the potential in him, and I wanted to give him the structure and purpose that dogs need to thrive.
‘We layered basic obedience with steadiness and recall, eventually building toward retrieves and directional work. Luke responded with clarity and enthusiasm—training gave him focus and fulfilment.
‘He settled. He focussed. He wanted the work.
Like many working-bred dogs, Luke has a mind that demands engagement. A long walk may stretch his legs, but what truly satisfies him is completing a task—being asked to do something, using his senses, making decisions. It’s not about control; it’s about partnership. He wants to work with me, not just burn off steam.
‘We’re continuing his gundog training with patience and purpose. It’s not about producing a field trial dog or a perfect peg dog—it’s about giving Luke the chance to be himself. That instinct to hunt, point, and retrieve is in his DNA, and rather than suppress it, I’ve chosen to support it.
‘But Luke is also, without question, a family pet. He stretches out on the sofa, makes his presence known at dinner time, and follows us from room to room. He’s affectionate and loyal. What makes him truly flourish, though, is that his life isn’t just soft beds and cuddles—it’s balanced with purpose.
‘He’s not the only rescue we’ve welcomed from Pointers In Need. We’ve also rehomed two other working-bred pointers, both of whom have gone on to have incredible working careers in the field as well as being the most amazing pets and companions to our family. Each one of them has proven the same thing: given the right structure and outlet, these dogs transform. They’re not difficult. They’re misunderstood when their needs go unmet.
Even without formal gundog work, these dogs need mental stimulation—scentwork, recall games, puzzles—anything that gives them a task and taps into their drive.
‘If you’ve rehomed through Pointers In Need and don’t plan to work your dog in the traditional sense, that’s absolutely fine. But know this: you’ll be doing them a huge kindness by giving them jobs—however small—to do. These dogs were bred for purpose. Giving them a task, something to complete, taps into a fundamental part of who they are.
Luke didn’t just benefit from training—he needed it. It gave him a role, built trust, and helped him settle into family life far more quickly than he would have with walks and affection alone. Training gave him confidence and calm. It gave him a place in our world—and helped us meet him where he was, not just where we wanted him to be.
‘As for what lies ahead—Luke’s journey is really only just beginning. He’s already proven himself to be a loyal, loving member of our family, and he continues to grow in confidence and ability with each training session. We’re excited to see how he develops further in the field, building on his natural instincts and the bond we’ve built through patient, purposeful work.
‘But whether he’s flushing birds from cover, retrieving with focus, or just curled up beside us at the end of the day, one thing is certain: Luke is exactly where he belongs—and we couldn’t be more proud of the dog he’s becoming.
‘I’ll continue to promote Pointers In Need and the versatility of this remarkable breed—first as loyal pets, and also as focused, capable workers when given the chance.
‘For anyone thinking of adopting a pointer from working lines: go into it with open eyes and an open mind. These dogs have so much to give—but they need structure, stimulation, and purpose. That can look different in every home—but it has to be there. And when it is, the bond you build is like no other.’
STOP PRESS ….. STOP PRESS ….. 4 October 2025:
‘Proud: From training field to normal shoot: Luke stepped up, worked with focus, and even showed off his hidden talent to retrieve.
After a year of careful training, Luke made his debut on a formal shoot, and what a debut it was. New ground, new people, new pressures, yet he worked with focus and calm. He handled himself with maturity beyond expectation and slipped into the team as if he’d always belonged. He even showed us something we hadn’t seen before, a natural ability to retrieve. A first day to remember — and the promise of much more to come’.
Adopted by Matt Jefford
