Quick Facts
- Weight: 50 – 70 pounds | male
35 – 50 pounds | female - Height: 22 – 24 inches | male
20 – 22 inches | female
The Look of a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons have strong, medium-sized frames covered in hard, wiry coats that usually come in brown, roan, white & brown, white & orange or steel & brown. They have square-shaped skulls with large eyes, open nostrils and ears that hang close to the cheeks. The heads are also outlined with rough but distinguished moustaches and eyebrows. Their tails are usually carried up at an angle or horizontally.
Traits
- Friendly
- Devoted
- Intelligent
- Trainable
- Athletic
Ideal Human Companion
- Outdoorsy types
- Cold-climate dwellers
- Families with older children
- Active singles
What They Are Like to Live With
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is known as a skilled and durable worker. It’s a fantastic swimmer, able tracker and superb retriever. The Griffon moves swiftly across marshes, over streams and through woods. It will keep going and going through any type of weather. Back at home, however, this dog is perfectly happy to relax on the couch or roll around with the children.
It may seem independent and focused when working in the field, but the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon loves family time. In fact, it can get very lonely and depressed when left alone in the house for too long. The best solution is to take the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon along, especially if you’re headed to a park.
Things You Should Know
Griffons are not suited for apartment life (or for long periods of time in a kennel). They need lots of fresh air and exercise—without it they can become very unhappy. A romp through woods, streams and lakes is perfect bliss for the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. Ideally, it should have a large, fenced yard with easy access to the house.
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon can live as long as 12 years with relatively few genetic health problems. Some may develop hip dysplasia. A Griffon’s hard, wiry coat may look difficult to maintain, but it just needs a regular brushing.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon History
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons were developed by a 19th-century Dutch breeder who wanted to create a new, adaptable kind of hunting dog. By crossing Griffon-types with European pointers, retrievers and spaniels, this versatile and durable hunter was soon through swamps and fields. With the ability to track game over land and water, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon quickly caught on as an outdoor companion and household friend.
