Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Basics
A happy and loving companion, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is also an all-purpose hunting dog. If you’re looking for a hunting companion, you’re in luck – this breed will point, track and retrieve in all conditions and terrain (even water). But he’s also a devoted family dog that is intelligent, devoted, and willing to please.
Ideal for people who like to keep active, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon loves to take part in all of your family’s activities. Affectionately referred to as “Griffs,” they can live in the city or the country, as long as they get enough daily exercise. And good news for those with allergies – the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is hypoallergenic and a non-shedder. Please read on to learn more about this intriguing breed.
A happy and loving companion, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is also an all-purpose hunting dog.
Origin
Pedigree
A relatively young breed, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is the result of mixing Griffon, Spaniel, Pointer, and Setter breeds.
Food / Diet
This is an active breed, so you’ll have to make sure you’re giving your Wirehaired Pointing Griffon enough to eat. Be sure to feed your Griff a high-quality kibble twice a day, usually about 2 to 2.5 cups, depending on the brand of dog food.
Even though this is an intelligent breed, you may find the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon a bit difficult to train.
Training
Even though this is an intelligent breed, you may find the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon a bit difficult to train. This is because your dog may have a mind of its own and have different ideas about what they want to do. If your Griff is bored or doesn’t like the way you are training him, don’t be surprised if he just walks away. To keep your dog interested in training, keep these sessions short and use rewards as motivation. Make sure that training is consistent and always maintain boundaries to keep your position as the head of the household. It doesn’t take much for the Griff to get a handle on what acceptable or not acceptable to do, and if you slack off, he’ll make his own rules.
Socialization is key in any dog’s life, and this is especially true with the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. If you don’t introduce your Griff to new people and situations, he can become sheltered and less self-assured of himself. This causes a slew of problems, including social anxiety and makes him difficult to live with.
Weight
A medium-sized breed, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon weights between 50 and 60 pounds.
Temperament / Behavior
Ideal for active families, the Wirehaired Pointing needs to get plenty of outdoor exercise. This breed is a great gun dog, up for any hunting challenge in any terrain or condition. If the Griff is going to be your new family companion, you won’t be disappointed – he’s quiet, affectionate and loves to play. He won’t make a good guard dog, but he’ll alert you with a quick woof if he sees someone or something approaching. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon does well with older children and other family pets, as long as they are raised together.
The best household for a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is one where there is a stay-at-home parent. This breed is prone to separation anxiety when left alone, so if you work long hours from home, this is not the breed for you. For times when you have to be away for an extended period of time, make sure your Griff is well-exercised and tired out – this way he’ll be too tired to be stressed out.
Common Health Problems
A relatively healthy breed, there are a few concerns owners should be aware of. Wirehaired Pointing Griffons can be afflicted with hip dysplasia and Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
Life Expectancy
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years.
Exercise Requirements
This is a hunting dog and was built for running and retrieving its prey. That’s why the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon needs about an hour of vigorous exercise every day. Anything less and you’re tempting your dog to be destructive – and he’ll take it out on anything inside your house. So to keep him happy and healthy, take him for walks, runs, jogs, hikes and swims.
Because of his exercise demands, a Griff does best in the country or a home with a yard. If you have a pool, he’ll want to go for frequent swims. Apartments are not recommended for this breed.
Ideal for active families, the Wirehaired Pointing needs to get plenty of outdoor exercise.
Recognized Clubs
The American Kennel Association says this about the breed: “Medium sized and bred to cover all terrain encountered by the walking hunter, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has been called the “4-wheel drive of hunting dogs” as he will enter briars or underbrush without hesitation. Griffs excel equally as pointers in the field and as retrievers in the water.” The AKC first recognized this breed in 1887.
Coat
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was bred to withstand the elements. That’s why he sports a weatherproof double coat. His undercoat is thick and downy while the topcoat is coarse and harsh. His medium length is straight, and he sports comical eyebrows and mustache. Coat colors can be steel gray with roan or chestnut markings, solid white, brown or white and orange.
You’ll be happy to hear that the hypoallergenic Wirehaired Pointing Griffons doesn’t shed much at all. You will need to brush him weekly to remove and loose hair.
Puppies
Start the socialization process early on in a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon’s puppyhood. He needs to meet new people and be exposed to new situations so he knows that there’s nothing to fear.
Photo credit: Vonvon/Wikimedia; audrey_sel/Flickr; Krysta/Flickr
