Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a member of the sporting group. This dog makes an excellent pointer, a versatile gun dog, and a solid all-around hunting companion. When on the job, these dogs have a deliberate point and retrieve style as they stick closely with the hunter's gun.
Equally enjoyed by families all over the country, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon makes a loving house pet and gets along moderately with strangers and other animals. They are a devoted breed, always willing to please, and even displays a somewhat comical personality when having fun in the house or romping around the yard with the family.
A Brief History Of The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
France is the area of origin for the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. And unlike most breeds that came to development over time, the creation of the Griffon was carefully deliberate. Every step along the way is well documented.
The breed started during the middle of the 1800s when the Cherville Griffon was created and later crossed with the pointer and the setter. Further development and refining of the breed is credited to a man named Edward Korthals, from Holland. In fact, the dog is still called by the name “Korthals Griffon” in many parts of the world.
Mr. Korthals began his work of refining the breed in 1874. It is said the he crossed twenty other dogs from the following breeds: spaniels, setters, water spaniels, griffons, French pointers and German pointers. As he traveled throughout France Edward helped build up the breed's popularity all over the country.
By the year 1887 the first breed standard was published for the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. In 1888, England offered the first show classes for the breed (although at that time the dog was referred to as a Russian Setter).
The popularity of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon continued to skyrocket until World War II. After the war it's reputation for being an excellent hunting companion brought the breed back to new life, but the numbers never quite reached the same peak as before the war.
Upkeep Requirements For The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Owning a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon means having plenty of open space outside and an active lifestyle. Like all members of the sporting group, this breed needs daily stimulation from a romp in the open wilderness, jogging, or fun games with the family. They especially like swimming.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon dogs are able to live outdoors so long as the temperature does not reach overly hot or excessively cold levels. It's best to allow the dog to remain outside in an open yard during the daytime hours, but to sleep indoors with the family at night. Due to its harsh coat, grooming requirements for the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon calls for heavy brushing twice per week.
Health Concerns
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon dogs can have a long life span of up to fourteen years, with twelve to thirteen being the average. A healthy breed, these dogs have no major health concerns to worry about. Minor health issues include otitis externa, CHD, ectropion, and entropion. Veterinarians suggest that Wirehaired Pointing Griffon dogs get tested for potential hip and eye problems.
More History
Documents that mention the Griffon type dog go back to 1545. But the perfecting of this type to be more usable for a foot hunter (walking hunter) started in 1853. Eduard Karel Korthals perfected the Griffon type into the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. He was a Dutch sportsman that desired a dog that could capably hunt in the marshes of the Netherlands.
This breed was first called Korthals Griffon and in some countries is still so named. Korthal bought Mouche a female that had a reputation as an unusually good hunter in different terrain and mated her to Janus and Trouvee was born. Trouvee was a female that was mated to Banco. Trouvee's coat was more to Korthals liking. There were three pups of her litter that became the progenitors of the modern Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.
There were other dogs in Europe historically given the name of Griffon because they had facial furnishings and wire coats. There are other breeds today that are called Griffons. Some speculators think that the “real” Griffon can be traced to an archaic breed named the Griffon Hound.
The AKC registered a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon in 1887. The International Griffons Club was started in 1888. In 1895, the Royal Belgian Griffons Club was established. In 1901, the French Club formed, and in 1911 the Dutch Club was established.
General Looks
This breed is of medium size and has square shaped head. The eye colors are brown or yellow. The nose color is brown. The flattened ears stay near the head. They have an athletic build.
Is This Your Breed?
This breed is very trainable and they flourish in the company of people. They like being house dogs. The coat has to be brushed and striped on a regular basis. But the coat doesn't completely develop for two or three years. These dogs require a lot pf exercise for physical and mental health. They make good family pets.
Coat
They have a double coat. The outer-coat is straight, wiry, and of medium length. The tough texture supplies protection in rough cover. The undercoat is dense, downy and insulates and resists water.
Color
The preference is for steel gray and brown markings. The other colors that are accepted are: chestnut brown, or roan, white and brown; white and orange. Coats that are completely white or brown are not wanted as much. The same goes for a coat of orange and white.
Personality
These are intelligent, dependable dogs that like pleasing their owner. They are sensitive needing training that is positive, consistent, and firm. To avoid timidity socialized the dog early. If properly socialized they get on will with other animals, though not necessarily with cats. They have a cautious nature around strangers and do better with older kids. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon needs enough exercise to prevent too much barking and destructive habits.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon video:
Tags: water spaniels, Pointing, hunter, mr korthals, breed
eduard karel Korthals, wirehaired pointing griffon training habits
You must log in to post a comment.