Fun Wirehaired Griffon Facts For Kids

Are you looking for a versatile dog breed that can be described as friendly, brilliant, with excellent hunting skills, and devoted to its owners? Your search ends with the wirehaired pointing griffon.

The wirehaired pointing griffon is a strong dog, pointer, and gundog bred with excellent hunting skills, bred to operate in various terrains.

Holland's Edward Korthals is credited with popularising and developing this breed in the early 1800s in France and hence referred to as the Korthals griffon in most parts of the world. While griffon dogs were initially bred to retrieve and point, they are now prized for their outstanding companionship and suitability for families with children.

The wirehaired pointing griffon is slightly taller than a tall to medium-sized dog with square-shaped heads, muscular arms, and medium-sized chests. It acts as a retriever and a pointer, and its size and composition represent a balance between these jobs' requirements. With low, catlike strides, its gait is efficient and tireless.

Don't miss the interesting facts about wirehaired pointing griffons below. If you are looking for more exciting content from us, please check our articles on the pocket pitbull and the lab chow mix.

‍

Wirehaired Griffon Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Wirehaired Griffon?

The wirehaired pointing griffon is a hunting dog breed. Eduard Korthal wanted to create a versatile dog, and hence he designed a strong dog with the characteristics of a pointer and retriever, which is why they are also known as the Korthal griffon.

Their thick and wiry coat keeps them warm and dry and protects them from abrasions.

For this reason, they are incredibly skilled at retrieving and hunting in drylands, water, and marshes. The wirehaired pointing griffon is prized for its companionship qualities and suitability for families with children, despite its reputation as a hunting dog.

The griffon's hardworking personality and intellect are well suited to dog sports such as agility and scent work.

With their eagerness to please, they'll fit right in with a family that loves being outside. The American Kennel Club designated the American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association as the breed's official parent club in 1991.

What class of animal does a Wirehaired Griffon belong to?

The wirehaired pointing griffon is a Mammal. Like all mammals, they give birth to their young. The average litter size for a Griffon dog breed is six to nine puppies and are fed with their mother's milk before moving on to dog food.

How many Wirehaired Griffons are there in the world?

The exact count of Wireranging haired population is unknown. However, an independent survey states that France has the largest population of 10,000 - 15,000 and North America with a population of 3000 - 4000.

The wirehaired griffon was first developed in 1870 in present-day France, and Korthal's griffon was first seen in North America in 1887. Since then, this breed is prevalent in Europe and the United States.

Where does a Wirehaired Griffon live?

A wirehaired griffon will either live with its owner or in a shelter home. They're one of the most energetic, friendly dogs you'll ever encounter.

They are adaptable dogs that are willing to please their owners. The wirehaired pointing griffon is an intelligent breed known for its alertness, adaptability, and willingness to learn. They are perfect watchdogs and can be your good friend and a hiking and hunting companion.

What is a Wirehaired Griffon's habitat?

The wirehaired pointing griffon can adjust and adapt to any environment. However, they are best suited to swampy and cold locations as their harsh outer coat provides them with the required protection. They are moderately active indoors and do not do well left in a kennel or backyard, and need a large yard.

Owners should be mindful that the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon dog breed is not recommended for use in urban areas. This is particularly true in small apartments, as the dog needs a lot of room to run around and play.

Although owners can meet the wirehaired pointing griffon's daily exercise needs in the urban areas, such as through regular walks and visits to local city parks, the griffon is generally better suited to life in the countryside.

Who do Wirehaired Griffons live with?

The wirehaired pointing griffon dog lives in its owners' homes as their pet. This dog breed needs daily exercise, training, and ample space to run around, and hence apartments are not suitable for this dog.

They also do better when they live with their families inside the house rather than in a kennel or the yard. All this dog breed craves is love and affection from its owner.

However, due to their earlier experience as a gundog, small pets like cats, gerbils, or guinea pigs do not make ideal companions. As a result, when this dog breed is present with smaller pets, sometimes dangerous problems may occur, and hence it is not suggested to leave griffons alone at home with small pets.

How long does a Wirehaired Griffon live?

The average life span of a wirehaired pointer is 12 to 14 years, and this breed is relatively free of significant health issues. A proper diet, daily exercise, and proper training help improve health and increase this dog breed's life span by one or two years.

How do they reproduce?

The male and female dogs are mated to reproduce. In this breed of griffon wirehaired pointing dogs, the female gives birth to six to nine puppies in a single litter, with a gestation period of 63 days on average. Wirehaired griffon puppies are fed on their mother's milk at birth and for the first few months.

Buying a puppy from a responsible breeder, puppy mill, or pet store for a healthy puppy or dog is the best option. Trusted breeders ensure that the puppies have a good temperament and are free of genetic disorders that could be passed on.

What is their conservation status?

No studies have been done proving the wirehaired pointing griffon's conservation status. Some breeds could have greater populations in other nations.

Again, knowing the status of breed populations in other countries is critical to determining the global risk of any breed, and gathering data should be a top priority. However, as per some independent surveys, the German wirehaired griffon pointer's conservation status, who is said to be a cousin of the griffons, is critical in the UK.

According to an independent study, annual registrations of purebred dogs have been declining over the last decade in both the UK and the US. Breeders must be aware of each breed's risk status and take reasonable action to stabilize population levels by introducing more animals to the breeding program.

Breeders often need access to the data and knowledge needed to establish long-term breeding strategies for local and global dog breed populations.

Wirehaired Griffon Fun Facts

What do Wirehaired Griffons look like?

The wirehaired pointing griffon is long rather than tall and is overall a medium-sized dog breed with square heads, muscular arms, and medium-sized chests. A pair of medium-sized ears lie flat (and close) to the head of a griffon, and its skull is slightly rounded.

The wirehaired pointing griffon's face is completed by the well-rounded eyes that range in color from yellow to brown.

The shoulders of griffons are broad and muscular, with solid angulation. This breed's front and hind legs have rounded paws with a set of webbed toes for retrieving in water. They have dense pads to shield the dog from rough terrain. It is recommended to remove these dogs' dewclaws to prevent possible injuries.

The wirehaired pointing griffon's tail should be docked to around two-thirds to one-half of its total length and is often straight or raised in general. An extreme curve on its tail symbolizes some health problems and needs a vet's attention for this breed's increased life span.

The double coat of a wirehaired pointer is coarse and rough and has a thick coat of fine hair that gives it an unkempt look.

This kind of coat is specifically designed for the griffon breed to protect it in rugged terrains, and the water-resistant coat underneath acts as a shield against water and cold. Steel-gray and blue, chestnut brown, roan, white and brown, and white and orange coats are typical of these breeds.

The perfect shape and size of the wirehaired griffon make it an excellent pointer and retriever.

How cute are they?

Due to its abundance of fur, thick beard, and long eyebrows, the wirehaired griffon is known for its 'untidy appearance'. However, few people get attracted to its charming mustache, bushy eyebrows, and excellent facial furnishings with a wide round eye, contributing to its friendly expression. Like all dog breeds, the wirehaired griffon puppy is cute as a pet.

Griffons with single-colored coats are considered less desirable, and black coats are a significant disqualifier as per the American Kennel Club.

How do they communicate?

Like every other dog breed, wirehaired pointing griffons have unique ways of interacting with their owners. It may be through eye movements, sounds, or body language.

Wirehaired pointers almost definitely have a fantastic sense of humor that will keep everyone amused, and the dogs won't lose the humor sense as they get older. The wirehaired griffons may be suspicious of outsiders and have a penchant for barking, so it can take some training to keep it under control.

Although they make good watchdogs, their gentle personalities prevent them from acting as guard dogs. They can bark to alert you to an impending visitor, but they are big softies at heart.

Like all dog breeds, griffons require early socialization — exposure to various people, sights, sounds, and experiences. Socialization is essential in ensuring that your griffon puppy develops into a well-rounded dog.

How big is a Wirehaired Griffon?

The wirehaired pointing griffon is one of the medium-sized dogs breed. The male breeds have a height of 22 - 24 in (56-60 cm), and females' height ranges between 20 - 22 in (51 -56 cm). These dogs can be called long dogs instead of tall dogs.

How fast can a Wirehaired Griffon run?

The wirehaired pointer was initially bred for hunting. Although griffons' exact running speed is unknown, they move very quickly and efficiently.

Korthals developed a versatile dog that could work as a pointer on dry land and as an excellent water retriever and loving dog at home. Prospective owners should be aware that these breeds need daily exercise for at least 20 minutes a day to live a healthy life.

How much does a Wirehaired Griffon weigh?

Wirehaired pointing griffons are famously known as a 'supreme gundog.' The male wirehaired pointer weighs around 50-70 lb, and the females are around 35-50 lb. It takes nine months for the puppies to reach the adult weight and can take up to one and a half years for larger dogs to achieve adult weight.

What are their male and female names of the species?

A specific term is not given to a wirehaired griffon male or female. As with all breeds, the male is known as a dog, while the female is known as a bitch.

What would you call a baby Wirehaired Griffon?

The baby of a wirehaired pointing griffon is called a puppy. Puppies with a good disposition are curious and playful, and they enjoy approaching people and being carried.

What do they eat?

Dogs, like humans, are unique individuals that need different amounts of nutrition. A highly active dog would almost definitely need more than a couch potato dog.

Height, weight, age, build, metabolism, and activity level all above factors determine the amount of food your pet consumes. With a veterinarian's suggestion, a proper feeding schedule is to be tailored to your pet's height and weight, and age.

The type of dog food you buy makes a difference as well; as with most breeds, high-quality dog food should always be your pet's first choice. To ensure that your pet's nutritional needs are met, you should always check the food for quality ingredients.

In general, an adult Wirehaired Pointing Griffon meal to be divided into two meals a day and may go up to two and a half cups of dry dog food.

Give your pet eye and hand tests to check if it is obese.

If your dog eats their food in a matter of minutes, feeding them from a slow feeding bowl or interactive reward toy will lengthen the time it takes them to finish their meal, potentially reducing the risk of bloating. Major food items to be avoided are chocolates, raw meat, avocadoes, and other high sugar foods.

For the wirehaired pointing griffon, ensuring adequate hydration is also essential. Water makes up about 70% of a dog's body weight.

As with all dog breeds, water requirements are dictated by your dog's weight. A wirehaired pointing griffon needs to drink about six ounces of water daily for every seven pounds of body weight. Griffons that are less active will need less water, while active dogs will need more water to keep hydrated.

Wirehaired pointing griffons can be maintained in perfect height and weight and in good shape by giving the right quality and quantity and food and water. Taking care of proper nutrition also increases the life span of your pet.

Are they slobbery?

If slobber stains on your clothes disgust you, the wirehaired pointing griffon might be the right dog for you. The griffons have the least drooling potential, making them less of a hygiene concern, and for those who prefer cleanliness, this dog breed is a godsend.

It is perfectly natural for a bit of saliva to escape the dog's mouth as he waits patiently for a treat, and it is not a matter of concern. When a dog drools or pants excessively, it's a sign of stress caused by separation anxiety.

However, thicker saliva, extreme panting is a symptom that indicates dehydration in your dog.

Dribbling in your pet can be caused by an infection or blockage in your dog's salivary glands, but it can also be a symptom of health problems like liver disease or, more tragically, kidney failure. Excessive drooling can also be caused by a growth within the mouth, which may be cancerous in older dogs.

On a lighter note, dogs sometimes drool at the sight and smell of food, and your dog's staring indicates a hopeful expectation of getting a taste of whatever you're eating for himself. Make sure to serve your dog the food you eat to keep your pet at ease.

Would they make a good pet?

The wirehaired pointing griffon is a joyful, comical, and affectionate breed of dog. They make great gundogs or family pets, and they are resistant to minor health issues.

They are hardy enough to live in kennels, but they prefer to be with their families indoors. They do better in the country where they have more room to explore, but they can adjust to city life if they have a fenced yard. They are not ideal for apartments.

As with many hunting dogs, the wirehaired pointing griffon possesses a great deal of energy, and this breed needs regular exercise to live a happy and healthy life. This dog breed enjoys all types of exercise, including field running, games, and jogging.

It is the one who enjoys swimming the most. They are also willing to learn and respond well to praise-based training. This breed is not recommended for very busy people or cannot spend quality time with their Griffon.

A wirehaired pointing griffon is eligible for adoption or fostering. You may adopt a griffon from a rescue hub in your town or contact the national breed club or a local breed club. The griffon puppies can also be purchased from a good breeder and may cost around $1,000 – $1,600.

Did you know...

Did you know that wirehaired pointing griffons are outstanding watchdogs? If they hear, see, or smell something strange, most griffons would raise the alarm with their instinctively protective nature.

The wirehaired griffon shedding is minimal. They are non-shedders, with only slight hair loss.

Around once a week, comb through their coat to remove any dead or loose fur and go for professional grooming twice a year. Bathing the wirehaired pointing griffon should only be performed when appropriate, as bathing will soften the coat's natural harshness.

Experts suggest that griffon owners cut their coats around the feet and ears because their hair overgrows. The German wirehaired pointer's thick, wiry coat needs little grooming as the coat sheds very lightly during the year.

A wirehaired pointing griffon's ears should be kept clean, and the hair from the canal area should be plucked regularly to prevent ear problems.

Grooming a wirehaired pointing griffon is a must-learn for its owners. First, all dog breeds get the dog bathed and dry them up.

Give the griffons a light conditioning spray to maintain its coat's smoothness, and then use a slicker brush to brush over the whole dog. After removing any tangles, comb the dog from nose to toes to ensure no thick spots are left.

Next, use a de-shedding tool on the tail and jacket, and remove the dead coat to ensure proper regrowth of the correct texture and color.

Chunkers and thinners can remove excess hair on the legs and the chest. As you work, note that you're going for a shabby appearance; this breed should never appear tailored or overgroomed.

With the de-shedding process, from the top of the head and ears, lightly pluck long hair, using a stripping knife, stripping stone, or your fingertips to remove it. The thick coat under the beard may be gently removed into the belly, but this region is not trimmed or plucked closely.

To clean the brows enough for the dog to see and its eyes to be seen, use a combination of light plucking and thinning shears, but don't leave a visible trimmed line.

Unless the owner expressly requests it, wirehaired pointing griffons should not be trimmed. Groomers will enjoy this unique breed because they are not often allowed to leave a pet looking scruffy.

Characteristics and health issues

Griffons are usually safe, although they are vulnerable to some health problems, as are all breeds. While not all Griffons can contact any or all of these illnesses, it's vital to be aware of them if you're thinking about getting one.

Otitis externa, entropion, ectropion, hip dysplasia, and eye diseases are a few of the health issues faced by a griffon. As a result, owners can consult with a trained veterinarian to develop food plans and health screenings for their dog's well-being.

Are Griffons good family dogs?

The loving and gentle wirehaired griffon's temperament makes them a good family dog. Even though this breed is only mildly affectionate and playful, their protective instincts and relative ease of training make them ideal family pets.

However, since the griffon was created as a hunting dog, new pets and animals should be introduced cautiously. The wirehaired pointing griffon is a gentle and caring breed that gets along well with kids of all ages.

However, a wirehaired pointing griffon usually is not recommended for homes with small children (toddler age) due to their high energy levels and playful nature, as roughhousing can result in injuries.

As with all dogs, parents should always supervise their children while they are around their Griffon. The wirehaired pointing griffon is no exception when it comes to the importance of early socialization.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including the pitbull chihuahua mix and the cheagle.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one of our griffon coloring pages.

‍