Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Basics
Known in its homeland as the Cesky Fousek, the Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a versatile gundog with a thick wiry coat. Like most wirehaired breeds, this dog has thick facial furnishings in the form of a beard and mustache. Females are much smaller than males, but both sexes are equally talented in the field and adaptable to all types of terrain.
Known in its homeland as the Cesky Fousek, the Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a versatile gundog with a thick wiry coat.
Origin
Thought to be an ancient breed, the exact origins of the Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon are unknown. For many years, however, the breed known as the Cesky Fousek in its homeland of Czechoslovakia (now the Czeck Republic) was the most widely kept pointing breed. Once World War II happened, however, food became scarce and the breed almost died out. Fortunately, it was revived by breeding it with Stichelhaars to create the modern iteration of the breed. Today, the Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is the second most common hunting breed in both the Czech and Slovakian Republics, though he is still somewhat rare in the Western world.
Pedigree
The Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is thought to be an ancient breed, though the modern version was revived in the 1920s by breeding it with the Stichelhaar breed.
Food/Diet
As a larger dog, the Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon should be fed a high-quality dry food formulated for large-breed dogs. Keeping in mind that the breed was developed for hunting, however, you may want to consider an active or working breed formula.
Training
As a hunting breed, the Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is highly intelligent and easy to train. These dogs are eager to please, but they still require firm and consistent leadership, both in the field and in the home. This breed can do well when raised with cats and other dogs, though they do have a strong prey drive so be careful around smaller pets. Early socialization is also recommended to prevent the dog from becoming overly protective or aloof around strangers.
Weight
The Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a large-breed dog, standing between 23 and 26 inches tall and weighing between 50 and 75 pounds at maturity. There is a major difference between males and females of the breed. Females stand 23 to 24 inches and weigh 50 to 60 pounds while males stand 24 to 26 inches tall and weigh up to 75 pounds.
Temperament/Behavior
The Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has a friendly, eager to please attitude that works well in a family atmosphere. These dogs generally get along well with children, though they can be somewhat protective at times. This breed loves all members of the family equally and he does not do well when left alone for long periods of time. The Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon needs a firm and consistent hand in training, though he doesn’t tend to be willful or disobedient. He does, however, need plenty of daily exercise to keep him sharp and fit – this will also help prevent the development of problem behaviors or destructive tendencies as well.
Common Health Problems
Generally speaking, the Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a healthy breed – this may be partially due to the fact that it is an ancient breed. Though these dogs may not be heavily plagued by inherited health problems, they are prone to certain issues such as ear infections, field injuries, hip dysplasia, and bloat as well as certain eye problems.
Life Expectancy
The average lifespan for the Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is thought to be about 12 to 14 years which is about average for a breed of its size. To maximize your Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon’s lifespan, be sure to feed him a healthy, high-quality diet formulated for large-breed dogs or a formula for active breeds.
Exercise Requirements
As a hunting dog – specifically a gun dog – the Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has a very high need for exercise. These dogs can hunt all day without tiring, so they need at least an hour of vigorous exercise on a daily basis. Having a fenced yard in which to run will also be beneficial for this breed.
Recognized Clubs
The Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is not currently recognized by the AKC but he is recognized by the FCI and the United Kennel Club. The FCI classifies him in Group 7 as a Continental Pointing Dog and the United Kennel Club recognizes him as a Gun Dog.
Coat
The Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has the same wiry coat that all Griffons and many pointing breeds exhibit. It is medium in length and double with a soft undercoat and a harsh, wiry top coat. The breed usually exhibits a steel gray color with brown markings, though the breed comes in all shades of brown, roan, and chestnut with or without white markings. The harsh texture of the coat makes it repellant to dirt and water, so only occasional grooming is needed.
Puppies
The average litter size for the Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is 6 to 9 puppies. There are several things to be mindful of with puppies of this breed. First, puppies should be fed a large-breed puppy recipe to keep them from growing too quickly – rapid growth can results in a higher risk for musculoskeletal issues later in life. Second, make sure to start your puppy as early as possible with socialization and obedience training.
Photo credit: Jan S./Shutterstock; CaptureLight/Depositphotos
