Wirehaired pointing griffon: Affectionate, intelligent, loyal

Wirehaired pointing griffons are incredibly playful and love to romp outside. They enjoy high-intensity exercise and have the stamina to support long weekends in the dog park or with their favorite toy. They are incredibly smart and enjoy spending time with their loved ones and fur-siblings, soaking up any ounce of extra attention they can get.

Due to their intelligence, they are generally gentle-spirited and sweet with small children or other animals. However, they may not take kindly to strangers. When encountering an unfamiliar face, you might find your wirehaired pointing griffon giving you an alert bark, relying on your body language to determine if the person is a threat or not. Early socialization and ongoing training can help to strengthen their social skills and discernment to help them feel comfortable in a range of unfamiliar situations.

The history and origins of the wirehaired pointing griffon can be traced back to a singular person: Eduard Karel Korthals in the late 1800s. Eduard began breeding dogs with the goal of creating an avid  hunter dog, which would accommodate hunting parties and serve as a “gun dog.” He eventually created the first wirehaired pointing griffon, (otherwise known as a Korthals griffon), a breed which spread rapidly across Europe and North America.

Today, wirehaired pointing griffons are known for their deliberate style of learning and focus, kindhearted temperament and loyal companionship. They love competing in field events and do well in homes with enough exercise opportunities, giving them ample room to flex their muscles and show their hunting skills and athletic abilities — taking them back to their roots as Korthals griffons.

We understand — caring for a new puppy of any breed can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide for breeders and owners to give their griffon the best start yet.

First, you’ll need to make your first trip to the vet and schedule your dog’s vaccinations. This helps them to stay as healthy and happy as possible their first few weeks in your home. We also recommend puppy-proofing your home early and preparing for teething before it starts to minimize — or even eliminate — damaged furniture.

Lastly, we recommend signing up for FidoAlert. This service provides a free Fido ID and tag so you’re prepared just in case your pal gets out.

Ready for more? Here are a few other things you should know about your wirehaired pointing griffon.

Exercise

Your griffon has lots of energy to romp and play — and does best with about 1-2 hours of high-impact energy activities per day. This can include favorites like Frisbee, swimming, and running. Despite their active lifestyle, however, griffons can be perfectly content in indoor environments or homes with smaller yards,  so long as pet parents are able to set aside time to intentionally play with them daily.

The drive to play doesn’t just stop after playtime hours. Griffons are extremely intelligent and love to impress their owners, reveling in direct attention and 1:1 cuddle time. If you plan to welcome a wirehaired pointing griffon into your home, consider building in an extra hour or two a day for alone time with your furry friend. Giving them ample attention on a regular basis is a great way to keep them from getting bored (and misbehaving as a result!)

Grooming

Wirehaired pointing griffons have a genetic predisposition to certain skin issues, which means you might have to take an unconventional approach to bathtimes and grooming. You shouldn’t exceed more than one bath per month, as too frequent a cleaning schedule can cause skin irritation and dryness. You might consider doing two baths: one to get the dirt and grime off of the fur and skin surface, and another with oatmeal or soothing conditioner to moisturize and hydrate your dog’s skin and double coat. This way, you help keep your pup as clean as possible while preserving the natural moisture in your dog’s coat.

Brushing should happen at least once per week to help distribute those naturally-occurring coat oils and keep shedding to a minimum. Other hygiene tasks (such as nail trimming and ear cleaning can happen slightly less often — about once per month or on an as needed basis.

Don’t forget to brush! Tasks like teeth brushing should happen at least once every other day to keep plaque at bay. When you brush, feel free to take a look around your furry friend’s teeth and check for signs of healthy pink gums and sturdy pearly whites.

Diet and nutrition

Your wirehaired pointing griffon eats a typical diet for a mid-sized breed, generally doing best with about two to three scoops of high-quality dog food over the course of a day. They don’t have any specific nutritional requirements that differ from other members of their class, making them relatively low-maintenance at mealtimes.

We do want to note that your griffon may eat more or less depending on their stage of life. For example: puppies may eat a bit less overall, or more in periods of growth. Elderly griffons may eat a little less as appetite wanes, and dogs with certain medical conditions may have fluctuating appetites. Before altering the cadence or contents of your pup’s diet, we always recommend speaking with your vet. They can give you personalized feeding recommendations based on your dog’s unique dietary needs.

Wirehaired pointing griffons are known to be exceedingly smart and energetic, making them fun training partners and skilled performers. They are among the most trainable of dog breeds and are eager to impress, taking on new tasks and challenges with a certain will and spirit that’s unique to their breed type.

Looking for ways to make training (even more) fun? There are plenty of different strategies that you can start trying with your griffon. Experimenting with different training methods can help keep sessions productive  and your pup engaged, resulting in the most impactful and rewarding training possible for everyone involved.

Our tip? Try keeping training sessions relatively short to avoid boring your pet. Feel free to mix it up with different incentives that cater to their intelligence and need for human connection — such as extra cuddles, treats and clickers for positive reinforcement.

Not quite sure that a griffon is right for you? Even if you are, it’s worth taking the time to research and consider other similar breeds. Here are a few to get you started:

• German wirehaired pointers. While both breeds were bred to be avid hunters, German wirehaired pointers are known to be significantly more wary and cautious than griffons. They may also live a bit longer, having a lifespan of 13 to 15 years on average. They tend to have smoother coats.
• Brittanies. This special breed is also a member of the sporting group, and they are equally as loving and affectionate as wirehaired pointing griffons. However, they are significantly smaller, appearing as the “pocket-sized” version of a neighboring breed.
• Chesapeake Bay retrievers. While considered by many to be a bit more high maintenance than wirehaired pointing griffons, this special breed has lots of love to give (and energy, too!)

While wirehaired pointing griffons are generally healthy animals, understanding what health conditions they may be genetically predisposed to can be a good thing. With this information, you’ll be able to secure and plan for the care they need to have a long and happy life — even before they might need it! Here are a few conditions to watch for in your griffon:

• Allergies. Nasal congestion (i.e. a runny nose) and other symptoms of allergies are especially common in wirehaired pointing griffons. Your vet may choose to treat with medication and lifestyle changes.
• Skin issues. Wirehaired pointing griffons are known to get skin scabs, have skin irritation, and may also be prone to forming sebaceous cysts. Your vet may choose to work with a veterinary dermatologist to determine the best course of action for your furry friend.
• Sinus infections. In addition to nasal congestion, your wirehaired pointing griffon may run into sinus infections due to ongoing stuffiness or irritation. Your vet can treat with antibiotics or surgery, in extreme cases.
• Hip dysplasia. Many wirehaired griffons may run into issues with hip dysplasia — a condition where there is instability between the thigh bone (femur) and the hip joint. Untreated, this can lead to pain and inflammation. Your vet may choose to do surgery to correct the problem if it advances.

Cost of caring for wirehaired pointing griffons

Wirehaired pointing griffons ring up an average first year cost of $3,000 to $4,000. This accounts for their purchase price, registration fees, first-time vet visits, food, and toys. There’s a lot to be done in the first year! Don’t worry though — every year after the first year only averages about $1,000 to $1,500 for their food, toys, and annual vet visits.

Looking to save on medical costs? It may be time to look into pet health insurance. This can save you some pretty significant out of pocket costs — and you might even be able to score some extra benefits for signing up early on in your pet’s life. If you’re looking for a way to enjoy more flexible pet healthcare savings options, you might also try a pet savings account. That way, you have the assurance that your furry friend is covered in the event of the unexpected without the financial commitment of a pet health insurance policy.

👉 Coming up with a pet name can be fun but tricky. Search no further! According to PetScreening’s 2024 database, the majority of our users name their male Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Moose and Gus. Meanwhile, most of our users with female Wirehaired Pointing Griffons love Hazel, then Kona.

• Many wirehaired pointing griffons are still bred in France, despite their national country of origin being Holland. They then travel to loving pet parents around the world — especially in the United States and Europe!
• The undercoat of a wirehaired pointing griffon is known to be exceptionally thick and water-repellant. While this double coat can result in higher rates of shedding, it can be helpful in keeping your griffon safe and dry on their next adventure.
• This breed is known to be susceptible to polyuria, which means that they’ll need to pee more than your average dog. If you’re considering welcoming a wirehaired pointing griffon into your home, be sure to plan accordingly.