Wirehaired Pointing Griffon breed guide

Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are social animals that need a great deal of attention, consistent training, time and patience. AKC says they do not make good full-time kennel dogs.

A versatile hunting dog with a high degree of trainability, the Griffon excels at hunting upland birds, waterfowl and furred game, a deliberate, thorough, tireless worker with a strong desire to please.

Griffons live 12 to 15 years. AKC says hip dysplasia is relatively low in the Griffon but breeding dogs should still obtain OFA or PennHIP clearances and some breeders also clear eye, heart, elbow and thyroid conditions.

The minimally shedding coat has a harsh outer layer with a soft, insulating undercoat. It needs weekly brushing or combing, regular nail trimming and tooth brushing and occasional trimming around the feet and ears and some coats need periodic hand-stripping to encourage new growth.

Griffons need considerable mental and physical challenges daily and young ones are especially active, while adults are very intelligent, social and physically powerful.

In the 1800s sportsmen of Continental Europe were obsessed with breeding hunting dogs of great versatility, among them Dutchman Eduard Korthals, the son of a well-to-do banker. Through judicious crosses he developed a dog that could point on dry land and retrieve water game, with webbed toes for swimming.

Korthals refined his breed in Germany and finally France and supporters have argued ever since whether Brussels Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are properly a Dutch or a French breed.