Breed History:

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a versatile gun dog developed in the late 19th century by Dutch breeder Eduard Karel Korthals. Though Dutch by origin, the breed was perfected in France, where Korthals refined it through careful selection and crossbreeding with various pointing and hunting breeds, including German Pointers, Setters, and Spaniels.

Korthals aimed to create the ideal rough-coated, all-terrain hunting dog, and by the 1880s, his efforts led to a breed with strong pointing, retrieving, and tracking instincts, as well as a close working style. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is now widely recognised in Europe and North America as an outstanding, versatile hunting companion and family dog.

The breed is sometimes referred to as the "Supreme Gundog" for its cooperative temperament, sharp nose, and adaptability in water and land-based hunting.

If you want to learn about other pointer breeds, check out our page "Different Pointer Dog Breeds".

Size – Medium

Life Expectancy: 12–14 years

Breed Appearance:

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a sturdy, athletic, and well-balanced dog with a rugged yet elegant appearance.

The breed commonly features:

• Broad, slightly rounded head
• Strong, square muzzle
• Large amber or dark brown expressive eyes
• Medium-length, pendant ears
• Deep, well-developed chest
• Strong, muscular neck
• Straight, sturdy limbs
• Medium-length tail carried level, traditionally docked where permitted

Its harsh, wiry outer coat and dense undercoat provide excellent protection against cold weather, water, and rough vegetation.

Common coat colours include:

• Steel grey with brown markings
• Chestnut brown
• Brown roan
• White and brown
• Orange roan (less common)

The breed's distinctive bushy eyebrows, beard, and moustache create its characteristic intelligent and rugged expression.

Breed Type – Sporting / Pointing Dog:

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is an intelligent, affectionate, and highly versatile sporting dog.

It is known for being:

• Loyal
• Intelligent
• Gentle
• Energetic
• Eager to please
• Adaptable

The breed forms strong bonds with its family and is generally excellent with children and other dogs. It is known for its cooperative nature and close-working hunting style.

Training:

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is highly intelligent and eager to learn.

Training should focus on:

• Early socialisation
• Positive reinforcement methods
• Basic obedience training
• Recall training
• Field work
• Retrieving exercises
• Water-retrieving practice

The breed excels in:

• Pointing
• Retrieving
• Tracking
• Field trials
• Search and rescue
• Obedience

Its cooperative temperament makes it highly responsive to consistent, reward-based training.

Health & Care:

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is generally healthy but may be prone to several health concerns, including:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)
• Allergies
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Ear infections

Routine veterinary care, responsible breeding, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight help support long-term health.

Living Conditions:

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon thrives in active homes with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities.

Ideal environments include:

• Houses with large, securely fenced yards
• Rural or suburban homes
• Active families
• Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts
• Homes with access to fields, forests, lakes, or hiking trails

The breed prefers living indoors with its family and is not well suited to apartment living unless its high exercise requirements are consistently met.

Exercise:

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has high exercise requirements.

Recommended activities include:

• Long daily walks
• Running
• Hiking
• Swimming
• Retrieving games
• Field work
• Scent work
• Mental enrichment activities

Around 1.5 to 2 hours of daily exercise helps keep the breed physically fit and mentally stimulated.

Grooming:

The wiry double coat requires moderate maintenance.

• Brushing two to three times per week
• Occasional hand-stripping to maintain coat texture
• Occasional bathing
• Regular ear cleaning
• Nail trimming
• Routine dental care

The breed sheds lightly throughout the year.

Advantages:

• Loyal and affectionate family companion
• Outstanding pointing, tracking, and retrieving abilities
• Highly intelligent and eager to train
• Excellent with children and other dogs
• Weather-resistant coat suited to harsh conditions
• Versatile hunting and sporting dog

Disadvantages:

• Requires substantial daily exercise and mental stimulation
• Needs regular coat maintenance and occasional hand-stripping
• Strong hunting instinct may lead to chasing wildlife
• Can become destructive if bored or under-exercised
• Prone to ear infections due to pendant ears
• Not well suited to inactive households or apartment living without sufficient exercise