Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: Your Complete Guide
The wirehaired pointing griffon is an energetic and intelligent breed with origins as a hunting dog, specifically developed as an all-rounder gun dog. While many mistake the breed for a terrier, they belong to the sporting group. Therefore, they don’t have a terrier-like temperament, unlike many expect.
Wirehaired pointing griffons have many unique characteristics that require careful research. They are certainly unique dogs that many want to get, but it is essential for prospective owners to understand this breed’s characteristics fully. Before you take any adoption or puppy purchasing action, you can start your research on our website by browsing relevant pages.
In this article, we will help those who are interested in the wirehaired pointing griffon to learn more about this breed. We cover their physical traits, temperament, health, trainability, exercise needs, and much more. Read on to get your ultimate guide to the wirehaired pointing griffon.
Quick Look at the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
The table below summarizes what you’ll learn about the wirehaired pointing griffon before we dive deeper into each point.
| Weight/Height | 35-70 pounds / 20-24 inches |
| Coat Type | Wiry, medium length |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Affectionate, active, people-oriented, sociable |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
What Is the History of Wirehaired Pointing Griffons?
The wirehaired pointing griffon has its origins as a hunting dog. The breed was developed in the late 1800s by Eduard Korthals, a Dutch sportsman who aimed to create an all-purpose hunting dog that could serve as a pointer on land and a water retriever in swamps. Through years of breeding several setters, spaniels, and wirehaired pointers, the wirehaired pointing griffon was already an established breed by the 1870s.
The breed gained recognition across Europe as an all-rounder hunting companion and eventually made its way to the US, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1887. The wirehaired pointing griffon was valued from the first days of the breed’s arrival to North America, not only for their hunting capabilities but also their gentle temperament and adaptability as a family dog.
Although they aren’t particularly very popular, ranking 51st on the AKC’s most popular dogs list, the wirehaired pointing griffon remains one of the most respected hunting dog breeds in the US today.
What Do Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Look Like?
The wirehaired pointing griffon’s most common coat color is a mix of brown and gray, but it can also be chestnut and gray, white and brown, white and orange, white, brown, or chestnut.
Some of the distinct features of the wirehaired pointing griffon include shaggy eyebrows that give them an expressive look, along with their full beard and mustache. These trademark features are complemented by a rectangular muzzle and soft eyes that give the wirehaired pointing griffon a unique appearance.
What Size Is a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?
The wirehaired pointing griffon is a medium-to-large dog breed. Females stand between 20 and 22 inches tall, whereas males are slightly larger at 22 to 24 inches. While the difference is minor when it comes to height, males are significantly heavier than females. They can weigh from 50 to 70 pounds, while females weigh 35 to 50 pounds. With this, those who want a medium-sized wirehaired pointing griffon may want to look into getting a female.
What Is a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon’s Coat Type and Length?
The wirehaired pointing griffon, as the breed name suggests, has a wirehaired coat. It is a double coat that’s medium in length and is coarse to the touch, almost bristly. While it may appear high-maintenance due to the length, which we cover in detail below, along with their other grooming needs, the wirehaired pointing griffon’s coat is sturdy. It is water-resistant, insulates them in cold environments, and dries quickly after a long day in the field.
Considering all these, it is safe to say that the wirehaired pointing griffon’s coat is built for work rather than cosmetic purposes.
What Is a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon’s Temperament?
The wirehaired pointing griffon is a breed that has a people-oriented personality. They are affectionate with the family, friendly with strangers, and get along well with unfamiliar but friendly dogs with their sociable temperament.
With these temperament traits, wirehaired pointing griffons make an excellent match for those living an active and social life. They can tag along for walks and enjoy being a part of outdoor adventures. If you live somewhere where there are lots of hiking trails and outdoor activities to do, you will find the wirehaired pointing griffon to be an excellent breed. Nonetheless, they can thrive in large cities, as long as their needs are met.
These provide an overview of the wirehaired pointing griffon’s temperament, but there’s much more to cover about their personalities. Here’s everything you need to know.
Are Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Good With Kids?
The wirehaired pointing griffon isn’t just a renowned hunting dog. They are also excellent family dogs that bond particularly strongly with kids. Wirehaired pointing griffons enjoy having small family members that can play with them nonstop and cuddle up together after a long day of play, though they do just as well with quiet kids who are content with soft playtime. Coupled with their tolerant nature, wirehaired pointing griffons are fantastic family dogs.
While the wirehaired pointing griffon is undoubtedly a good dog for families with kids, parents should still supervise interactions. This is particularly important if you have younger children, as wirehaired pointing griffons aren’t that small; one bumping into a small child can lead to accidental injuries.
Are Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Good With Other Animals?
Wirehaired pointing griffons get along well with other friendly dogs, provided they are adequately socialized from a young age. Otherwise, they may act shy or timid around unfamiliar dogs. When it comes to the other animals in the family, wirehaired pointing griffons adjust well to homes with dogs. They also get along well with cats if raised together.
If you have smaller pets, like guinea pigs, hamsters, or rabbits, however, you might want to reconsider getting a wirehaired pointing griffon. Because of their hunting dog backgrounds, these dogs have a strong prey drive that can make them instinctively chase after small animals. Although they can accept their presence with some work, they may have difficulties adapting to homes with multiple smaller animals.
Are Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Aggressive?
The wirehaired pointing griffon isn’t considered aggressive. They are gentle and emotionally soft dogs that don’t exhibit aggression unless there’s a clear reason for it, like a lack of socialization or provocation. These dogs simply want to befriend anyone and everyone they meet during walks and rarely show any sort of aggression or even territorial behavior.
This natural friendliness makes the wirehaired pointing griffon easy to socialize. Owners of this breed won’t face difficulties socializing their wirehaired pointing griffon puppies to turn them into well-behaved adults. Even if you adopt an adult wirehaired pointing griffon that isn’t socialized properly, you can turn them around with minimal work compared to many other breeds.
Do Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Bark?
Wirehaired pointing griffons bark more than they stay quiet. They tend to bark the most when someone approaches the yard or when they hear unusual noises. Because of their highly driven and work-oriented nature, they can also bark during playtime, especially when excited.
However, a wirehaired pointing griffon, like any other dog, can bark excessively if they underexercised or bored. That’s why providing them with adequate daily physical and mental stimulation is essential. We cover their exact exercise needs in the coming parts below.
Are Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Affectionate?
The wirehaired pointing griffon is beyond affectionate. They fit the description of a ‘velcro dog’ perfectly, as they like to follow their owners everywhere they go around the house. This affectionate nature makes them an excellent family companion, as well as an emotional support animal. They are also not one-person dogs; wirehaired pointing griffons enjoy the presence of everyone in their family and show affection towards everyone equally.
Wirehaired pointing griffons are so affectionate that they also enjoy receiving attention from strangers. They can get along well with strangers if they know how to greet dogs and make instant friends.
Are Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Intelligent?
Wirehaired pointing griffons didn’t earn their reputations as one of the best hunting dogs for nothing. They are one of the smartest dog breeds in the world; their intelligence shines when it comes to solving problems and cooperative tasks. This intelligence, coupled with their work-oriented nature, makes them an ideal dog for various job titles.
Having an intelligent dog is certainly something that many want, but note that the wirehaired pointing griffon also requires a high amount of mental stimulation. They can quickly get bored with their routine if it gets repetitive. These dogs benefit greatly from exploring new places and smells, solving dog puzzles, and having a job to do. This is just as important as the other care needs of the wirehaired pointing griffon.
Are Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Energetic?
The same as other sporting and hunting dogs, the wirehaired pointing griffon is a highly energetic dog. They are best suited for active individuals who can provide their dogs with at least an hour of daily exercise. If you’re looking for a dog to exercise with, then you will find the wirehaired pointing griffon to be a dog that won’t let you down. For example, they can be great hiking buddies given their athletic nature.
However, while energetic, wirehaired pointing griffons are balanced dogs that have a good on-off switch. Unless underexercised, they act calm and well-behaved around the family rather than like a hyper dog who always wants to run around endlessly.
Are Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Easy to Train?
Wirehaired pointing griffons tend to be easy to train, not only because they are intelligent but also because they are people-oriented dogs that enjoy working with their humans. They have an inherent desire to please their owners and respond well to positive reinforcement training.
This trainability is surely great, but future owners should also set realistic expectations and keep a gentle tone during training. Wirehaired pointing griffons are sensitive to punishments, which can make them lose interest if training sessions become filled with more corrections than rewards. Therefore, if you know what you’re doing, you will have a highly trainable and responsive dog. Discover our online courses to get all the materials you need.
Are Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Good Watchdogs?
The wirehaired pointing griffon isn’t the best dog for guarding a territory or alerting the owner. These dogs are far more likely to greet strangers with a wagging tail rather than question their presence. While some might bark to announce visitors and unusual sounds, it is safe to say that wirehaired pointing griffons don’t have the amount of territorial behavior required for being a good watchdog.
Are Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Good Service Dogs?
Although individual temperament plays a big role in this, wirehaired pointing griffons tend to be good service dogs. They are highly trainable dogs with a reliability to match it. However, with their medium-to-large size, they can’t take on all service dog duties. They tend to be better for psychiatric service dog work rather than mobility assistance, for example.
How to Care for a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?
With their exercise, mental stimulation, and other needs, it is easy to consider the wirehaired pointing griffon as a high-maintenance dog. However, caring for a wirehaired pointing griffon takes much more than taking them to explore new places and daily playtime. Here’s everything you need to know about caring for a wirehaired pointing griffon, covering the breed’s grooming, health, and feeding needs.
Do You Need to Groom a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?
Wirehaired pointing griffons have average grooming needs. They need brushing every week or so, in addition to their routine grooming needs, such as nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing. The medium-length coat of this breed doesn’t require clipping or shaving, though you can take them to a professional groomer to tidy up their appearance and for deshedding treatments. With these, the wirehaired pointing griffon doesn’t require much in terms of grooming.
Do Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Shed?
Wirehaired pointing griffons shed lightly year-round and enter a heavier shedding period twice a year during seasonal changes to blow their coats and prepare for the next season. While they certainly shed, their wiry coats trap loose hair, much like curly breeds like the poodle, which makes shedding more manageable.
What Health Problems Do Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Have?
Wirehaired pointing griffons are overall healthy dogs that live much of their lives without any apparent health issues. The health problems that affect these dogs are common canine conditions, like hip and elbow dysplasia, chronic ear infections, and eye problems like entropion and progressive retinal atrophy.
Some wirehaired pointing griffons are also prone to developing hypothyroidism, which can be managed with medication, and skin issues that can be caused by food and environmental allergies. Larger wirehaired pointing griffons are also at risk of bloat, which can go as far as becoming a life-threatening issue; all owners should educate themselves on the early symptoms of it.
How Long Do Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Live?
The wirehaired pointing griffon has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. This range is average for most wirehaired pointing griffons, but note that depending on genetics, environment, diet, and lifestyle, all have an impact on overall lifespan.
What Should a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Eat?
Wirehaired pointing griffons are active dogs that need to eat an appropriate diet to sustain their energy levels. They do best on dog food formulated for active dogs. Wirehaired pointing griffons can also be on a homemade or raw diet, but it must be formulated by a certified animal nutritionist to ensure they get all the nutrients they need for a healthy life.
Is a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon the Right Dog for Me?
The wirehaired pointing griffon is truly a unique dog breed that’s active, affectionate, playful, intelligent, and people-oriented. Given their social nature, these dogs pair best with large households with other dogs. They enjoy when multiple people can provide them with the human attention they crave, and other dogs to keep them company and feel a part of a pack, though they can do just as fine being the only dog.
To determine whether or not the wirehaired pointing griffon is the right dog for you, evaluate your lifestyle and the type of dog you’re after.
If you lead an active life and regularly go for nature escapes, whether it is taking hikes or camping, the wirehaired pointing griffon will be an excellent fit. Those living in major cities can also find the wirehaired pointing griffon to be a matching companion as long as their lifestyle aligns with the exercise and mental stimulation needs of these dogs, which can be met by involving them in agility training or other suitable dog sports.
Overall, the wirehaired pointing griffon is a dog for active individuals and families. As long as you lead an active life and having an energetic dog will add to the fun rather than becoming a burden, then there’s no reason for the wirehaired pointing griffon not to be an ideal companion for you.