Description

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a medium to large size hunting dog. It has a harsh and wiry coat. This wiry outer coat is brought to perfection by a softer undercoat, but the proportion of hard fur to soft fur varies from dog to dog. The coat is mainly steel gray in color and has brown markings on it. It has flat ears lying close to the head. It has thick eyebrows. The eyes are either yellow or brown in color while the nose is brown in color and with wide open nostrils. The neck is long, without any fold of loose skin hanging from it. The legs are straight and have round and webbed feet. Dewclaws are generally removed. The chest usually reaches the elbow of the dog, which allows it to perform the athletic activities. Due to its muscular built and lengthy body and nice sense of smell, it can be used for hunting purposes, especially in the countryside. They possess incredible levels of energy and prefer being outdoors than being in kennels.  The male Griffon has a height of around 22-24 inches (55-61 cm.), and a weight of 50-60 pounds (23-27 kg.), while the female Griffon has a height of around 20-22 inches (50-55 cm.) and a weight of 40-50 pounds (18-23 kg.).

Coat

The Griffon possesses a double coat, and is steel gray in color, which sometimes can be chestnut or chestnut roan. The overcoat is always thick and wiry. The undercoat varies depending upon the season, but is usually lighter. The Griffon usually has full beard and fluffy moustache. It also has patches of hair around the ears, but it is not wiry like the main body’s hair.

History

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was developed around 1870 by a Dutch breeder named Edward Korthal. He developed the Griffon by crossing a German Griffon and a French Pointer. He also used Spaniels and a Setter so as to find a breed that would be perfect for hunting with a keen sense of smell and can adapt nicely. It was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1887. Zolette was the American Kennel Club’s first registered Wirehaired Pointing Griffon that entered into the stud book in 1887. The breed is still rare in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom.

Temperament

The Griffon is easy to train, and has an inquisitive nature and good obedience. The high intelligence and training rate of the Griffon makes training less of a challenge. It is thus, well suited for both trained as well as untrained owners. Though, it is fiercely protective family pet, it is mostly suited to the freedom of outdoors. It is perfectly matched to hunters on foot, and is intelligent enough to make distinguished gundogs and trackers. It has a capability to excel both as a gundog and a tracker. It can stay within the gun range of the hunter and can point and retrieve with a deliberate style. It has a great sense of smell and is very enthusiastic and loves to hunt, specially the quail and hare. The wiry and rugged double coat makes hunting and adventuring in heavy marshlands or swampy conditions possible for it. The Griffon’s coat helps to keep it protected for all the weather and thus, it can thrive even in cold and damp regions. It is a good water retriever due to its excellent swimming skills. The Wirehaired Griffon is extremely lively, active and friendly, which makes it an excellent family pet. It is very affectionate towards children. It has a less excitable temperament when not in the field and thus it makes it a very comfortable dog at home. It is also very sensitive. An unusual environment and strangers makes it nervous which may make it snappy and unwilling to engage. It does not need constant attention, and tends to work hard for affection. A simple pat on its head can delight the Griffon to a large extent. It makes an exceptionally well guard dog as it tends to raise an alarm if something appears to be improper. It remains happy, when around the family. If kept in a kennel or locked, it becomes quite grouchy and unhappy. It requires large amount of freedom and regular exercise.

Health Problems

Due to its adaptability to settle in different environments, it isn’t burdened by a large number of health issues. It is a relatively healthy creature, with only a few health issues to look out for. During the later stages of the life of a Griffon, Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) may cause a problem. It can lead to lameness, if left unchecked. As it is rare and noticeable, it should be treated at the earliest without any delay. The life expectancy of a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is around 12-15 years.

Grooming

The dog has a rugged wiry coat, and only a moderate amount of grooming is required, although some stripping and trimming can be applied, wherever necessary to show. It has a messy complexion, due to its shaggy fur and steel gray color and is also sometimes referred to as untidy. As it spends a lot of time in adventures, and its love for hunting, its harsh coat maybe battered and so regular combing is always advisable to keep them in a healthy condition. Its coat has to be brushed a couple of times in a week, specially the softer undercoat which may suffer due to its lighter complexion. The facial hair needs to be cleaned regularly as it gets messy.  The ears of the Griffon must be cleaned regularly and the hair within the canal should be plucked off in order to avoid ear problems like infections. After plucking, the ears should be thoroughly cleaned that time and this process should be carried out on a regular basis. Some owners even get their dogs professionally groomed twice or thrice in a year. The dogs which are exhibited for professional shows, requires minimal grooming. Trimming should be done only around the ears, cheeks, head and feet. The main body hair shouldn’t be stripped following any pattern. Unlike other breeds, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon does not need extra attention. But, it is vulnerable to infections and higher risk of injury due to its adventurous and roaming personality.  The Griffon does shed, but considerably less than the other breeds. Shedding is suitable for those suffering from mild allergies.

Exercise

The Griffon cannot be left on it own and requires regular strenuous activities and exercises to remain healthy, contented and in a jolly mood. Lack of activities and neglect can put a check on its usually affectionate behavior. It can even make it depressed and leads to a destructive and wide range of behavioral problems. Taking it on daily, long and brisk walks and even out for a run is quite helpful. It is a very good jogging partner. The Griffon likes life outdoors and never likes to stay in kennels or apartments. It loves exercise, irrespective of the weather, whether rainy or cold. The rough coat it possesses makes it possible for the owner to take it wherever he wants to take it. It is an excellent swimmer and adores every chance to be in water. The rough coat helps to give the Griffon the freedom in exploring wherever it is taken to. Also, the Griffon is exceptionally athletic on foot and can be trained into a well trained and great running partner. Due to its well coordinated front and back legs and its medium speed, it makes it movement look very graceful. Though not fast, but the Griffon is impressive while running and can cover a lot of land powerfully. It is extremely energetic and rarely gets tired.

Training

Due to the desire to learn and a willingness to obey, it is considered to be one of the smartest hunting dogs around. It can be taught all the basics at an early age and is very well behaved, but the trainer ought to give ample time to it. It is very intelligent and thinks very fast and has a quick mind.  It is important on the owner’s part to meet the dog’s need and keep it satisfied with regular exercises and providing it enough time to spend outdoors, or else the dog tends to become impatient. While hunting with its master, the Griffon has the ability to match his master’s orders while retaining its independence, which very few other dogs can do. It also has the ability to be made a running companion or a swimming companion.  Due to its loyalty, it makes for an excellent guard dog. It has high regard for the protection of the owner and his family. It is always very eager to please its masters, and work hard to gain their affection.