Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, sometimes referred to as the Korthals Griffon, is a breed of dog that originated in the late 19th century. It was developed by a Dutchman, Eduard Korthals, who wanted a breed capable of hunting in a variety of conditions and terrains, ranging from marshy lowlands to rocky mountainsides. Korthals crossed several breeds including the Otterhound, English Pointer, German Shorthaired Pointer, and others to eventually achieve his goal in 1888.
- Origin
- Netherlands
- Alternate Names
- Korthals Griffon, Griffon d’Arrêt à Poil dur Korthals
- Life Expectancy
- 12-15 years
- Average Male Height
- 22-24 inches
- Average Female Height
- 20-22 inches
- Average Male Weight
- 50-70 pounds
- Average Female Weight
- 35-50 pounds
- Coat Length
- Medium
- Coat Type
- Wiry, Double
- Coat Colors
- Brown & Gray, Chesnut & Gray, White & Brown, White & Orange, White, Brown, Chesnut
- Coat Pattern
- Ticked, Roan
Genetic Predispositions and Health
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons can suffer from atopic dermatitis, cataracts, corneal dystrophy, cryptorchidism, hip and elbow dysplasia, entropion, epilepsy, hernia (umbilical), meningitis-arteritis, osteochondritis dissecans (shoulder), and recurrent flank alopecia. Genetic testing is recommended, including for the following additional conditions: hyperuricosoria, degenerative myelopathy, and progressive rod-cone degeneration.
Personality and Behavior
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are intelligent, lively, and affectionate dogs. They tend to be friendly and are excellent with children, making them suitable for families. They are known for their keen sense of smell and remarkable versatility in various terrains, making them exceptional hunting and retrieving dogs.
However, they are not just hunting dogs; they are also known for their love of human companionship and are quite eager to please. They are generally good with other dogs and pets and are not typically aggressive. These dogs are also known for being relatively easy to train due to their eager-to-please attitude and intelligence.
Fun Facts
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are often referred to as "supreme gundogs" due to their versatile hunting skills. This includes being excellent swimmers and retrievers.
The breed is also known as the "4-wheel drive of hunting dogs" because of their ability to navigate different types of terrain.
Despite their rough-and-tumble exterior, these dogs have been described as having a "nearly human" expression.
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is the national breed of The Netherlands.
References
https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/breed/wirehaired-pointing-griffon?page=1
https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/WIRE-HAIRED-POINTING-GRIFFON-KORTHALS-107.html
https://www.ukcdogs.com/wire-haired-pointing-griffon
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/wirehaired-pointing-griffon/