Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Thinking about purchasing an Wirehaired Pointing Griffon? Then read our breed profile including a brief description, information on height, weight, color, coat, temperament, grooming, activity and history. Purchasing a new puppy is a commitment that may last ten or more years so please educate yourself on the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon breed, including all stages of their life from puppy hood to older dog.

Ask yourself will I be a good owner? Do I have the time it takes to train a new puppy? Do I have the resources to give my new dog a rewarding life. Do I have a local veterinarian that I can take my new dog to? Do I have a groomer or can I do the grooming myself on a regular basis. Fundamental requirements for a being a good Wirehaired Pointing Griffon owner;

properly feed your new dog,
house them comfortably
train them in basic obedience.

Before making a purchase talk to the breeder, ask them many questions about their dogs and the breed in general. A good breeder will teach you about the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and they will have many questions for you about your home and life style and if this breed is suited for you and your family.

Questions you may want to ask an Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Breeder:

When were your Wirehaired Pointing Griffons born? When will they be allowed to leave?
Have your puppies received their first shots? being wormed? had a puppy check up with your veterinarian?
What type of socialization have the puppies received? with children? with other pets? in the home?
Have you seen genetic problems in previous litters? What are your health guarantees?
Are there any health certifications on the sire or dam?
What is the temperament of the puppies, of the mother? shy? boisterous? aggressive? skittish?
If you become unable to care for your new Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, will the breeder help you find a new home?

It is recommended that you sign a contract with the breeder so that there will be no misunderstandings on the arrangements made. Then bring home your new Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and enjoy as "there is no greater love then a dog's devotion."

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Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Profile

In Europe they are still known as the Korthals Griffon. They are medium sized dogs that have wiry brown, white and gray fur. With ears that drop down, the breed also has somewhat of a beard and mustache around their yellow to brown eyes and brown nose. The tail can be docked at half or one-third its length. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is an excellent family dog who is trustworthy and has a tremendous willingness to please. Easy to train, they make a wonderful pet for a strong, confident owner. An active breed, they exhibit pointer-like behavior but have a terrier-like attitude. Wirehaired Pointing Griffons make pleasant companions and skillful, multipurpose hunting dogs. Wirehaired Pointing Griffons have a quick and intelligent mind and they are easily trained. They can get bored easily, however, which requires some mental stimulation on part of the owner. When they get bored, they also tend to get manipulative in what they want to do. This breed is rather docile an gets along with other pets very well. They are a fine breed of workability and versatility. Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are outgoing and make a meticulous hunting companion.

Other Names: Korthals Griffon, Pointing Wirehaired Griffon, Griffon D'Arrêt a Poil Dur

Type: Gun Dog

Height: Females: 20 - 22 inches; Males: 22 - 24 inches.
Weight: 40 - 60 lbs.

Colors: Steel gray with chestnut markings, white and chestnut, or white. Sometimes they come in orange and white.
Coat: A wiry, rough, coarse, hard outer coat, and a downy undercoat.

Temperament: Wirehaired Pointed Griffons are independent and intelligent. They are amiable, willing to please, and quite devoted. The breed is sometimes quite comical as well. They can be reserved with strangers, but remain quite affectionate with family. Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are also very energetic. They can get bored easily, so mental and physical stimulation should be provided. But when they do get bored, they also get manipulative.
With Children: Medium - Low. Older, respectful children are okay.
With Pets: Yes, they are generally friendly towards other dogs and pets.

Watch-dog: Very High.
Guard-dog: Medium.

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Care and Training: Minimal grooming and trimming of their coat is needed. The Wirehaired Pointed Griffon Requires plenty of exercise and would make a great jogging partner. The owner must have time for training as they are a high-energy dog that enjoys hunting or other outside activities.
Learning Rate: High. Obedience - High. Problem Solving - Medium. This breed is quite intelligent and obedient.

Activity: Very High.
Special Needs: Firm training, a job or activity to do, and socialization.
Living Environment: The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon enjoys working in the field and water and is therefore much better suited to live in the country, but they will adapt to city living if they have a house with a fenced yard and obtain sufficient exercise. The Wirehaired Pointed Griffon is unsuited for apartment living due to their high activity. The best owner for this breed would be an active, dog-experienced owner living in a rural or suburban environment.

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Health Issues: Skin allergies, thyroid problems, and hip dysplasia.

Life Span: 10 - 12 years.
Litter Size: Average is 8 puppies.

Country of Origin: France
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon History: Although they were developed by Edward K. Korthals, a wealthy fancier and banker from Holland in 1874, they are listed as a French breed. Due to Korthals developing them, they are now often referred to as Korthals Griffons. Korthals wanted to create a breed that would be a gundog that could be used for any type of game, on different types of ground. Korthals started with a female who was a Griffon of Barbet origins and crossed her with 20 different breeds such as the Small Munsterlanders, Braque Francais, Otterhounds, other types of griffons, various setters and pointers. Developed to be a methodical, close worker in all types of terrain, they filled the need for a versatile hunter that could point and retrieve. He succeeded in producing a breed with a good nose and extreme endurance. In 1887 the breed obtained a breed standard, and was also the year they first came to the United States. The popularity of the breed continually rose until World War II, when everything was halted due to war. Today the breed is not as popular as before, but still serves as an excellent gun dog. Today they are a rare breed.

First Registered by the AKC: 1887
AKC Group: Sporting Group
Class: Gundog
Registries: AKC, CKC, FCI (Group 7), UKC

Wirehaired Pointing Griffons

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Monday, April 28, 2008