Wirehaired Pointing Griffons

Description

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a renowned hunting dog of medium size, with a distinct rough double-coat and a square muzzle. It is recognizable by its wild mane of hair, with thick eyebrows and large tufts of soft fur for a beard. The rugged wiry outer-coat is complemented by a softer undercoat, but the percentage of hard to soft fur will vary from dog to dog.

It has a muscular build with a lengthy body, and is well equipped for hunting in the countryside. In fact, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon positively loves to be out in the open. They possess incredible levels of energy and make great jogging companions, preferring to be exercising freely as opposed to locked up in a kennel or apartment.

This dog is striking with its large oval eyes, which nearly always come with brown or yellow irises. It has a brown nose. You will notice an eager expression, quite fitting of the dog's lively behavior. They are used regularly as companions for on-foot hunting, due to their excellent sense of smell and fine balance between obeying a master's orders and independent endeavor.

The chest usually reaches to the elbow of the dog, allowing for athletic activity and the physical demand that its nature brings.

Both the forequarters and hindquarters are well angulated. The shoulders are laid back with a relaxed look, and the pasterns are sloped gently.

The Griffon has very firm webbed toes, and the foot is padded. Any dewclaws should be removed.

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Coat Description

The Griffon possesses a double coat, which is usually a steely grey. It sometimes comes in a chestnut brown with white patches, and in rarer cares, all black coats have been noted.

The overcoat is always straight, thick and wiry - given to its name. The undercoat will differ in its style depending on the season, but is usually much lighter.

It comes with a full beard and fluffy moustache. The dog also exhibits patches of hair around the ears, although this isn't wiry like the hair on the main body.

History

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a rare breed in the United States with as little as 75 puppies every year. But the dog's origin traces back to a famous Dutch breeder by the name of E. K. Korthals. He created the dog during the 1870's when crossing a German Griffon with a French Pointer. Spaniels and a Setter were also used as a means to finding a breed which would be perfect for hunting, with a keen sense of smell.

The Griffon Club of America was born in 1916, although the dog has never truly taken off as a popular mainstream breed on this side of the Atlantic. Controversy reigned when breeders attempted to merge the Cesky Fousek in to the Griffon family during the 80s, resulting in the founding of what is now known as the American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association - a group specifically designed to preserve the original Wirehaired type.

Hunting was the original purpose behind the breed's conception. That is exactly what the Wirehaired Pointing Griffin now offers, although it remains most common in Europe where it was originally conceived. It is considered a French breed. The dog is still referred to as a Korthals Griffon in Europe. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon alias applies only to North America.

Temperament

While the dog is relatively easy to train, and great to have around children, it can be nervous amongst unfamiliar faces and has a tendency to over-react when placed out of its comfort zone. Training well from an early age is the best way to rectify this problem, and thankfully, the dog is more than willing to learn with an inquisitive nature and good obedience. Generally speaking, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffin is a good - and fiercely protective - family pet, but it is most suited to the freedom of the outdoors.

The breed is most famous for its capability as a gundog and tracker, where it excels at both. The dog is perfectly matched to hunters on foot and will retrieve in its own precise manner. They tend to stay within gun range and can be trained to follow orders to the tee. They are enthusiastic and love to hunt, with a keen eye for hares in the country.

One of the great benefits of the dog's wiry and rough double-coat is that it makes the breed brilliant for hunting and adventuring in swampy conditions, or heavy marshland. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffin is well protected for all weather, and seems to thrive in the cold, damp. It is an excellent swimmer and will enjoy a local lake or river as a means to exercising and adventuring.

The dog is affectionate around younger family members and is known to mix well with other pets. It rarely steps out of line, unless placed in situations with lots of unfamiliar faces and an unusual environment. When nervous, the Griffon can become snappy and distant - unwilling to engage, and less likely to follow orders despite its keenness to please. Indeed, the dog is only too willing to please and will work hard for your affection, without needing constant attention to stay content. A pat on the head or a quick ruffle is likely to send the easily satisfied Griffon buck wild with delight.

While the breed is quite happy to be around family and makes for a great guard dog, it still requires a large amount of freedom and regular exercise. If kept inside or restricted, it is likely to become grouchy and unhappy. To get the most out of a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, you really need to be able to appeal to its own needs.

They are often marked out as a breed with the behavior of a pointer yet the attitude of a terrier; a rarity in the dog breeding landscape.

Health Problems

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is well adapted to settle in many different environments, and as such, it isn't burdened by a large number of Health issues.

Hip dysplasia - Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) - can become a problem in later life. This can eventually lead to crippling lameness if left unchecked. It is rare but quite noticeable and should be treated immediately.

Grooming

The dog is blessed by its rough wiry coat and requires only a minimal amount of grooming, although you might want to apply some stripping and trimming where necessary for showing. With its shaggy fur and steel grey color, the dog is rarely considered high maintenance. It is renowned as an "untidy" dog with a messy complexion.

Due to its energetic nature and love for hunting, however, the Griffon can come home looking slightly worse for wear with its harsh coat taking a battering in the countryside. Regular combing is advised to keep the coat looking healthy, and also to sift through the softer undercoat which is more likely to suffer with its lighter complex.

Brush and comb the dog two or three times a week to maintain a healthy coat. It is also necessary to treat the Griffon's ears as neglect will result in a much increased chance of infection. Plucking the hairs inside the canal will reduce this chance. The plucking should be followed by a thorough clean, and carried out on a regular basis.

The dog doesn't require the delicate attention of other breeds, but it is placed at a higher risk of injury and infection due to its roaming personality. The Griffon will shed tiny amounts of hair during the spring season, although some dogs have been known to shed none at all.

When exhibiting for professional showing purposes, the dog requires equally minimal grooming. Trimming is only advisable around the ears, top of the head, cheeks and feet. The main body hair shouldn't be stripped in to any sense of pattern.

The tail should replicate the body coat, without a plume.

If the Griffon is being kept as a family pet, it is still recommended that he be taken for a professional grooming at least twice a year.

Exercise

The Griffon is not the sort of dog that can be left to its own devices and still be happy by the end of the day. It requires regular strenuous exercise to remain content and healthy. Neglect and lack of activity will quell its usually affectionate behavior. The Griffon will become moody and even depressed if it doesn't have the chance to burn off its steam.

Apartment life will bore the dog quickly. It is suited to the great outdoors, and will happily exercise in just about any weather conditions, no matter how rainy or cold. The dog's rough coat gives it the freedom to explore wherever you choose to take it.

It is also an excellent swimmer and will adore any chance to take to water. Similarly, the dog is just as athletic on foot and can be trained in to a wonderful running partner.

Considered to be a medium speed dog, the Griffon moves in a graceful fashion. It has excellent coordination between its front and back legs. It isn't extremely fast, but always looks impressive on the run. The dog can cover a lot of land and is extremely powerful.

There is no end to its energy reserves and it's rare that the dog will tire before you.

Training

The Griffon is widely considered to be one of the smartest hunting dogs around, possessing a desire to learn and a willingness to obey. It is well behaved and can be taught the basics at an early age, but the trainer must have a great deal of time. Marked with great intelligence, the dog has a quick mind and thinks fast.

For all of the dog's obedience, it can become somewhat impatient if denied its love of the outdoors and regular exercise. Therefore it is important to meet the dog's needs before expecting it to meet your own.

As a problem solver, the Griffon is more than capable although not in its element. But placed in a hunting environment, very few dogs can match the Griffon's ability to follow its master's orders while retaining a healthy independence. It can also be trained in to a running partner, or even a swimming companion in the local lake!

In the home, the breed makes for an excellent guard dog with a high regard for the protection of the family. It is fiercely loyal and will stay true to its owner.

It is eager to please and will work hard to gain your affection. This can be a hindrance if you need to correct them as they are slightly sensitive, especially when placed in an environment which isn't their own.