Breed Overview: The Korthals Griffon

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, also known as the Korthals Griffon, was developed by Eduard Karel Korthals in 1873. Eduard Korthals was a Dutchman that was a avid hunter. Korthals wanted a dog that had the ability to hunt over different terrains and his efforts to create a new sporting breed was born. Korthal developed a breeding program in France and in less than two decades he achieved the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, a breed that has come to be loved by many.

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a medium sized dog that is not fully developed until around 2 to 3 years of age. They stand between 20 to 24 inches and weighs between 50 to 60 lbs at full growth and have a soft undercoat harsh, wiry top coat that gives them extra protection in harsh underbrush and gives them an almost unkempt appearance. The most common color for a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a steel gray with brown markings, but other acceptable colors include a chestnut brown, roan, white and orange, and white and brown. They also have a brown nose and their eye color ranges in all shades of brown and yellow. Their tail is usually docked to 1/2 to 2/3 of its original length and declaws should be removed.

Because of the harsh outer layer of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon's coat, their coat should be stripped from time to time to allow for the growth of new hair. It is also recommended that you brush or comb them out about once or twice a week, with professional grooming done twice a year so they can look their best. You will also want to keep their ears clean and then hair in the canal plucked to help avoid any problems with their ears. The coat of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is none to shed very little if any at all, making it a good choice for allergy sufferers.

This particular breed of dog is relatively healthy, but as with every breed there are also some health concerns. For the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon their main genetic concern is developing Canine Hip Dysplasia. Canine Hip Dysplasia is an abnormality of the hip joint, this abnormality can be inherited from the dog's bloodline and can lead to complications later in life. Due to responsible breeding practices in the US, the annual percentage of Wirehaired Pointing Griffons that become affected with hip dysplasia has hovered around 7% for the past seven years. A happy, healthy Wirehaired Pointing Griffon can be expected to live anywhere from 10 to 12 years.

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a very intelligent, loving, and energetic breed of dog. They also make superb tracking and gundogs, making them excellent hunting partners. They do not make good kennel dogs and hate being ignored; instead they love to be with their people and feeling like part of the family. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is not recommended for apartment life since they can be moderately active when indoors. They need regular, daily exercise to keep them happy and love to run and swim. If not properly exercised then, like so many other breeds, they can develop behavioral problems and become destructive.

Wirehaired Pointing Griffons make excellent family pets and tend to be very gentle and affectionate around children. Although they are generally rather friendly towards people, they can become nervous around strangers or when put in new situations. Their eagerness to please their owners also make them highly trainable and relatively easy to train as well.

Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are relatively rare with only a small number of litters born each year, but it is not impossible to find a breeder. A list of registered breeders with litters available can be found on the AKC's website. The typical cost from a reputable breeder runs about $800 to $1000, additional costs may apply if the breeder is not in your area and you have the puppy shipped to you instead. Another option is finding a local breed rescue that specializes in Wirehaired Pointing Griffons. With a quality rescue you can still get that great breeder quality dog for a fraction of the cost, and is the best option for you if you would prefer to have an adult Wirehaired Pointing Griffon instead of a puppy.

Sources:
American Kennel Club. AKC Meet the Breeds: Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Dog Breed Info Center. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Wikipedia. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association. The Breed