Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Medium sized and bred to cover all terrain encountered by the walking hunter, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has been called the "4-wheel drive of hunting dogs" as he will enter briars or underbrush without hesitation. Griffs excel equally as pointers in the field and as retrievers in the water. Their coarse double coat protects them in rough cover and gives them an unkempt appearance. It can be a variety of colors, most often steel gray with brown markings.
Griffon-like dogs have existed throughout history, but exact origins are uncertain. The modern history of the breed, however, has been well documented. Dutchman Eduard Korthals was an avid hunter and desired a dog that could hunt over a variety of terrain, so he developed a breeding program to create a versatile new sporting breed. In less than two decades, Korthals had fixed the new breed he called the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, wrote the standard and formed a Griffon club.
Breed Profile
The Griffon’s easy trainability, devotion to family, and friendly temperament endear him to all. He thrives on human companionship and prefers to be house dog. The breed’s wiry coat will not develop fully until the dog is about 2-3 years old and is maintained with regular brushing and stripping. This sporting dog needs plenty of exercise to keep it physically and mentally fit.
Grooming
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has a straight, wiry double coat that is long enough to protect it against the elements. The undercoat is dense, fine and thick to provide insulation. Grooming needs vary depending on the shedding cycle. Dogs should be groomed every 4 – 8 weeks to keep nails clipped, ears clean and remove undercoat in spring. Pointers are very active dogs and enjoy running out in the field. If your dog is an indoor dog it may require frequent bathing to keep it clean and smelling fresh.
Ears
Monthly ear cleaning with Ear Care is advised to be sure no ear problems that might need vet attention arise.
Eyes
Since these dogs are very high energy and love to run through any type of terrain they should have their eyes checked often. Opti-Soothe Eye Wash can be used daily to help flush foreign matter.
Bathing
Frequency of bathing your Wirehaired Pointing Griffon will depend on if it is an indoor dog or outdoor dog. They require 2 baths; The first bath should be a general bath to get off the dirt and grime. The second bath is targeted for the need of your dog. If your dog has allergies or sensitive skin we would suggest a Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo and follow it with a Oatmeal Baking Soda Shampoo to control the odor. Do not use a heavy conditioner, but choose a light conditioner to keep the coats natural hard texture, Plum Perfect Cream Rinse or Rainforest Conditioner are light and will leave a clean fresh scent. Simple Shed Shampoo and Simple Shed Treatment should be used during the spring and fall shed.
Common Problems
Keep 3 in 1 Healing Cream on hand since these dogs love to run through brush while retrieving game.
Coat Care
Extreme Odor Eliminator can be used between baths to help with keeping your dog smelling fresh and clean after an outdoor adventure. Aloe Hydrating Spray should be used during the dry winter months as well if you live in a dry climate. Simple Shed and Static Spray between grooming is a great help to keep the shedding under control.
Show Dog Tips
Spray Quick Finish Styling Spray to keep the hard texture for the ring. Spray right before entering the ring will add a little sheen without leaving a residue.
Paws
Paw Balm should be used weekly to keep paw pads soft and pliable. This makes the pads less likely to dry and crack.
May we suggest...
