Description

Noted for its hunting abilities, the Wirehaired Pointed Griffon is a medium sized dog with a muscular build. The physical attributes sets this dog apart from others, starting with its dense hair. The Wirehaired Pointed Griffon has a thick wild-looking outer coat or main and a soft undercoat beneath.

This breed of dog is easily recognizable by its square shaped muzzle, thick bushy eyebrows, long head, and soft tufts of hair for beard and moustache, and wild mane. These features give the dog a rather unkempt scruffy look that owners find appealing.

Scruffy look or not, the face of this dog is as striking as it is compelling. The Wirehaired Pointed Griffon has stunning brown or yellow irises set in large oval shaped eyes. The dog possesses a rather eager look complementing its very active temperament. Like all hunting dogs it possesses a heightened sense of smell.

The chest area of this breed of dog extends to the elbow and is carefully designed to promote athletic agility. The dog’s shoulders are relaxed and laid back, the pasterns, which are located between leg and paw are angular or sloped, and the legs are angular as well. Wirehaired Pointed Griffons have webbed toes and padded feet.

The Wirehaired Pointed Griffon’s long powerful yet graceful body makes it an excellent hunting dog in the countryside, fields, marshes, and bogs. This breed of dog strives in the outdoors. The dogs seems to be uncannily tuned in to their owner/trainers every wish. Instinct or sixth sense, this ability is an asset for all hunting aficionados.

Because of their love of the outdoors and the tremendous amount of energy, these dogs are best kept outdoors as much as possible rather than cooped up as a house or apartment. The dog will take the outdoors in another way it comes to him. These dogs make excellent walking and jogging companions.

Coat Description

On rare occasions you will come across a Wirehaired Pointed Griffon with a thick black double coat, however, the standard coloring for this breed of dog is steely gray, or chestnut brown with patchy areas of white. The topcoat is always, thick and wiry, while the undercoat is always soft and much thinner but can change along with the seasons. The Griffon has a full beard and moustache and can have tufts of hair around the ears. The hair on the ears is not wiry like the rest of the mane.

History

In the 19th century there was a race of sorts to breed the perfect hunting dog. Spaniels and setters were often breed for this purpose. In 1870, a Dutch breeder by the name of E. K. Korthals came up with the idea of breeding a German Griffon with a French Pointer and thus the Wirehaired Pointed Griffon emerged.

By 1916, the breed had crossed the Atlantic and the Griffon Club of America was formed. The breed never really gained much popularity this side of the ocean. It is estimated that there are less than one hundred puppies in America today. A controversy surfaced concerning the integrity of the breed. Some breeders wanted to introduce a Cesky Fousek into the Griffon family in the 1980’s. Those against it established the American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association to protect the bloodlines.

The dog is still very popular in Europe and is known as the Korthals Griffon whereas it is known as the Wirehaired Pointed Griffon in North America.

Temperament

The Wirehaired Pointed Griffon is a good natured family pet that is loyal and easy to get along with providing it receives its outdoor exercise on a continual basis. The dog is a gundog and used for hunting dog hares in the country setting. Wirehaired Pointed Griffons make great foot and swimming companions. They are intelligent and always willing to obey.

This dog is easily trainable and makes a great watchdog. The dog does well with children but can get squeamish around strangers. When the dog is nervous it will become snappy and want to distance itself from the offender. When someone has made him nervous he may be less likely to obey commands. Early socialization is recommended with this breed of dog. The dog does get along well with other pets.

A quick pat on the head is likely to be the only attention that this dog needs to keep him happy, but of course playing with your dog will enhance his well being.

Health Problems

Fortunately since the Wirehaired Pointed Griffon is an outdoor dog, it is well equipped for all kinds of weather and is generally a hardy breed of dog. One thing to look out for is injuries sustained during running or hunting such as getting caught in brambles where the possibility of open wounds are inevitable. Make sure to attend to all wounds in order to prevent infection.

Canine Hip Dysplasia is also a condition to look out for as your dog ages. In hip dysplasia the ball hip bone and adjoining socket are not properly aligned causing friction on the joint and disintegration of cartilage. The condition is very painful and can result in lameness eventually leading to crippling if not treated. Wirehaired Pointed Griffons can also suffer from elbow dysplasia; though this condition is rare.

Grooming

Because the Wirehaired Pointed Griffon is noted for its scruffy vagabond look, grooming is not a high priority. This dog actually sheds very little. You need to brush or comb the fur a few times a week in order to promote a healthy coat. It is also wise to take him to a professional grooming service a few times a year.

It is important to clip the inner ear hair and keep the area clean in order to avoid infection. Plucking and cleaning the inner air should be done on a regular basis.

For showing purposes, you will need to trim the ears, top of the head and feet only.

Exercise

Griffons are highly athletic and energetic dogs. They cannot be left inactive at home all day long. They will become lazy, and moody losing their zest for life. Griffons need to expend their energy in outside. They are happy in all kinds of weather and possess a thick warm overcoat for just that purpose. These dogs can swim, walk, run, and hunt. Rain or shine, the Griffon comes alive in the great outdoors.

Training

It is relatively easy to train your Wirehaired Pointed Griffon. They are renown for being among the smartest hunting dogs around. They are bright, intelligent, loyal and quick to understand and obey commands. They enjoy pleasing their masters, and can be taught just about anything from an early age. The key is time; the trainer must have a good amount of time set aside for this dog’s training.

When they are being trained, it is important to note that the dog’s needs must be met as well as the trainer’s needs in order to have a successful mutual endeavor. Trainers must remember to give their Griffon amply time to be outdoors and exercise on a daily basis.

The hunting instinct of this breed of dog lends well to training. The dog is in its element the wild. It possesses the natural ability not only to obey and follow commands but can think independently when on the hunt. This duel functioning has proven invaluable to hunters for over a century.

The dog can problem solve; an amazing feat for animal of its kind. In addition to hunting the dog can be trained as a running, jogging, walking, and swimming companion.

Drawing upon its fierce loyalty, Griffons can be easily trained as guard dogs. There is nothing a Griffon would not do to protect its beloved family.

Wirehaired Pointed Griffons are so willing to please that they will do anything for their owners, but remember not to harshly chastise your Griffon during training. Your Griffon is very sensitive and will react negatively especially if it is placed in an uncomfortable environment.