Are you looking for a new pet and considering adding a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon to your family? If so, that could be a great choice! However, like when forming human relationships, the key to success is compatibility. Will you and a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon be soulmates or frazzled foes? We’re here to tell you everything about this puppy so you can make a more informed decision before adoption.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: France
Original Purpose: Bird pointing and retrieving
Height: 16 to 24 inches from the shoulder
Weight: 45 to 60 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Sporting Group
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years
Origin of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Breed
This fine hunting dog can trace its origins back to the late 18th century when Edward Korthals of Holland chose to cross-breed 20 different dogs representing several other breeds to create the ultimate or “supreme gundog.” And while it’s challenging to determine precisely “which breeds” were used, it’s pretty safe to say that the Small Munsterlander, Braque Francais, a Griffon as well as a Pointer, and possibly a “Spaniel” as well must have been included in this original “mix.”
Regardless…
This “supreme gundog” was quite popular until World War II when after the war, folks seemed to be more interested in hunting dogs that could perform at a faster pace than these slower yet very reliable dogs. Today they remain somewhat rare compared to other dogs with similar hunting abilities; however, ask any Wirehaired Pointing Griffon owner, and they’ll be sure to tell you that there is no finer animal out there!
Physical Characteristics
This dog is a medium size dog with a bit of a worn look. He’s usually a combination of steel grey, white, and brown colors. It’s important to mention he’s not usually spotted. Instead, his fur looks more like it’s been highlighted or streaked. His topcoat and undercoat are often contrasting colors, adding to the highlight appearance. Around the face, his hair is often darker. He has floppy ears and usually a stubby little tail.
Personality & Temperament
This dog was bred using a lot of different breeds, so his temperament can vary a bit. Though he’s usually pretty friendly and not too aggressive, he can be aloof to strangers. Some might say he has a personality similar to the German Wirehaired Pointer, but he’s definitely got his differences. Most will notice that the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is more sensitive.
We should not do that…
It’s important to start training this pup from day one. If you don’t use Wirehaired puppies in teaching early on, they will likely be stubborn and harder to handle. But that’s true of most other dogs as well.
Now if we…
I scared you off a little bit by pointing out that you need to start training these guys early; you may also want to consider looking at one of the following dog breeds as well as they might be an acceptable alternative as well:
- Griffon Bruxellois,
- Golden Retriever,
- Irish Setter,
- or Verein Deutsch Drahthaar.
Potential Health Concerns
The best way to find a healthy dog is to get one from a breeder recommended by the American Kennel Club (AKC), Federation Cynologique Internationale, or another reputable organization. Also, when you choose breeders endorsed by these organizations, you know that they have bred the dogs with best practices, hoping to eliminate or significantly reduce the chance of passing on hereditary health problems. If you decide to open your home to a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon rescue, we commend you!
Now…
That is a selfless thing to do; we fully support the mantra Adopt, don’t shop! But we hope you understand that rescue dogs aren’t for sale (or at least not at the total price) because they usually have some genetic imperfections: i.e., health problems. Some of these may be minor things, like hip dysplasia (many dogs live with this without a problem). Still, they could also be significant things that require medical attention – and, ultimately, money.
Here are some of the health issues you might find in a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon:
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): This is an eye disease where the dog could become completely blind.
- Hip Dysplasia: As mentioned above, the dog could get hip dysplasia, a common health problem that interferes with their ability to walk
- Arthritis: Your dog could suffer from joint problems that make movement painful. There’s not much that can be done for arthritis, but sometimes anti-inflammatory medications and some surgical procedures (depending on where and the type) could help.
- Ear Infections: These usually are pretty easy to clear up with antibiotics, but if they happen regularly, they could result in complications – not to mention taking the dog to the vet every time he has an ear infection (and buying the medications) can be expensive!
And while many of these conditions may not be life-threatening, they can become quite expensive, particularly if they become recurring issues. This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
