Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
General Facts :
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a strong and graceful hunting dog. It is a medium-sized rough-coated dog with a large and long head along with a square muzzle and bushy eyebrows. The dog’s neck is quite long, without dewlap and a skull that is the same length from the stop to the occiput as it is from the nose to the stop. The Wirehaired has large eyes and elliptical with either brown or yellow irises.
The dog has medium-sized ears that lie flat and close to the large head. The dog’s nose is always brown and the teeth meet in a scissors bite. It has a body that is a little bit longer than it is tall and the tail is docked to about 1/2 – 2/3 its length and is usually carried in a horizontal position. The Wirehaired’s front legs are straight and the feet are rounded with webbed toes. The hard, straight, wiry outer coat is lined with a rather fine but thick downy undercoat.
Origin :
This dog was developed between 1870 and 1873 by a Dutch breeder named E.K. Korthals by mixing the German Griffon with the French and German Pointer, Spaniel, Barbet and a Setter. The Griffon Club of America was formed in the year 1916 and during that year 16 dogs were shown at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog in New York.
Dimensions :
Height : Between 20 and 24 inches ( approximately 50 to 60 centimeters )
Weight : Between 50 an 60 pounds ( approximately 23 to 27 kilos )
Additional Information :
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon’s wiry coat does not shed but it must be stripped in order to allow new hair to grow. The dog’s coat comes in sliver or a steel-gray pattern with roam or chestnut markings. Regarding their health problems, some dogs are prone to hip dysplasia. These dogs aren’t recommended for apartment living as they need space ( preferably a large yard ) in order to exercise otherwise they won’t stay calm and they won’t be happy.
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a skilled field, intelligent and energetic dog very efficient as a hunting companion. The coat protects the dog from dense brush and harsh weather. This dog will do just fine as a family dog thanks to the fact that he is gentle and very affectionate with children. Their life expectancy is around 13 years.
Gallery :