Pointer/Pointing Dog Question

[Cheshirekatt]

Ok...here's a weird one for you. Is pointing something that dogs can be taught or is it typically a genetic thing? I have a bullmastiff mix that goes into a point when he spots small animals like squirrels and kitties (we're trying to break him of the habit of pointing at the kitties.....eek!). We adopted him from a very rural shelter and I was thinking maybe Buford was used for bird hunting or something? He looks nothing like a pointer....he's 100 lbs, brindle and very bullmastiffy.

Any ideas?

Oh and here's a cut pic of a friends Bullmastiff rubbing his face in the snow! His name is Moose.