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The Canine Chronicles Directory
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a rough-coated, strong and graceful, medium-sized
hunting dog. The straight, wiry outercoat is lined with a fine thick downy undercoat.
The texture of the coat may vary on the wiry vs. soft hair as well as the type of
dog food consumed. The coat is usually a steel gray or silver with chestnut or roan
markings. They can also come in a solid chestnut or roan color. The head is large
and the muzzle square-shaped. The length of the stop to the occiput should be the
same as the skull. The large elliptical eyes are usually yellow or brown. The medium-sized
ears lie flat against the head. The teeth should meet in a scissor-like bite. The
broad chest expands to the elbows and the topline slopes downward from the withers
to the tail. The tail is docked between ½ or 2/3 of its length. The front
legs should be straight and the dewclaws should be removed. The toes are webbed
and the feet rounded.
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Temperament
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Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are energetic, friendly, intelligent, devoted, and
loving. They love to spend time with their families. They are gentle and affectionate
towards children. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon's are easy to train and are always
eager to learn. They are an excellently skilled field dog, superior gundog and an
incredible tracker, they also work well in marshland and upland environments. This
breed has a keen sense of smell and has a great passion for hunting, especially
for fowl and hare. Due to this they are great pointers, flushers and water retrievers.
Their rough coat protects them from the dense brush and bad weather. The Wirehaired
Pointing Griffon can become nervous and high strung around strangers or in unknown
situations. Socializing them when young will reduce these tendencies. They are also
excellent watchdogs.
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Height, Weight
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Height: 20-24" ; Weight: 50-60 lbs.
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Health Problems
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This breed is prone to hip dysplasia.
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Living Conditions
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The Pointing Griffon should not live in an apartment. They do best with a large
yard. Since they love personal contact, they should not be put in a kennel or left
alone in a backyard. They prefer cooler climates.
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Exercise
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This energetic breed needs a tremendous amount of exercise. This breed should live
in the country where they can have lots of opportunities to run free. They love
to swim and make excellent jogging companions.
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Life Expectancy
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About 10-12 years
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Grooming
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This breed requires regular stripping and trimming if they are to be shown. Trim
twice a year if they are pets. Brush or comb once a week. Clean ears and pluck hair
from the ear canal to prevent ear infections. They shed little or no hair.
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Origin
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The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was developed in the 1800s by a Dutch breeder named
Edward K. Korthals. Korthals started his breeding program with a female Griffon
of Barbet and crossed her with various setters and pointers, the Munsterlander and
the Braque Francais to develop the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. The results were
versatile, enthusiastic hunting dogs with a fine nose and good on small game, especially
hare and quail. Korthals served as an agent to the Duke of Penthievre in France
and interest soon formed a following for this new breed. France was the primary
source for crossbreeding, which is why the country of origin is listed as France.
In Europe this breed is still known as the Korthals Griffon. In 1916, the Griffon
Club of America was founded and 16 Griffons were shown at the Westminster Kennel
Club Dog Show in New York. In the 1980s several breeders elected to import Cesky
Fousek and breed them with the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. A disagreement broke
out over this practice resulting in a division among breeders. The American Wirehaired
Pointing Griffon Association was developed to sustain the purity of the breed and
is the AKC parent club for the breed. Although this breed is rare in the United
States, they are recognized by the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club.
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Group
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AKC Sporting, UKC Gun Dog
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