Wirehaired Pointing Griffin
Written by Kerstin S.
© Dogs / stock.adobe.com
The Griffon Korthals is an intelligent and family-friendly pointer.
Are you on the lookout for a dog that forms a close bond with its human, gels well with the family unit and can join you on hunts? Then you’ll be completely smitten with the Griffon d’arrêt à poil dur-Korthals, or in English, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Korthals. This breed is also commonly known as the Griffon Korthals or Griffon à Poil Dur.
Table of contents
- Appearance: The Shaggy Hunting Dog
- Character Traits of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: Hunter and Protector
- Keeping the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: A Low-Maintenance Family Dog
- The Right Activity for the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
- Health: A Hardy Breed
- Diet: What to Consider When Feeding?
- History: Seven Breeds Contributed to the Creation of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
- Purchase: Tips for Buying a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
- Conclusion: An Endearing Shaggy Hunter
- Fact Sheet for Wirehaired Pointing Griffin
Appearance: The Shaggy Hunting Dog
As suggested by its name, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon boasts a coarse top coat that feels similar to the bristles of a wild boar, with a fine and thick undercoat beneath. Bushy eyebrows, a pronounced beard, and moustache complete its distinctive appearance.
What colours does the Pointing Griffon come in?
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon typically sports a steel grey coat with chestnut brown patches, though they can also be uniformly chestnut brown or white-brown. White spots or white ticking may appear as well.
How big does the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon get?
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are medium to large size. Males reach a height at the withers between 55 and 60 centimetres. Females are on average five centimetres shorter. These dogs can weigh between 23 and 27 kilograms.
© Dogs / stock.adobe.com
Character Traits of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: Hunter and Protector
The Griffon is very loving and gentle towards its family and humans. This clever canine enjoys shared activities with its bipedal companions. Despite being good-natured, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon maintains a certain level of independence as it is a hunting dog.
This breed also excels as a vigilant guard dog with strong territorial instincts and a powerful, protective attitude.
Training: Hunting Training Recommended
It is advisable for the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon to undergo formal hunting training. Daily care should involve ensuring that its territoriality and protective instincts are channeled correctly. This approach helps prevent excessive barking and stressful encounters.
Keeping the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: A Low-Maintenance Family Dog
This dog breed feels right at home in a house with a secure garden where the Griffon Korthals can watch over its territory.
Can the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon live in a flat?
This breed is not suited to life in a city flat where walks are confined mainly to city parks.
However, if there is easy access to forests or other training areas for this keen hunter, it can adapt to apartment living. Though, as a territorial dog, it may be prone to barking.
Coat Care for the Shaggy Dog
When it comes to coat care, the Griffon Korthals is not very demanding. Its fur protects it in dense underbrush from injuries and provides a comfortable climate whatever the weather. Nonetheless, the dog should be brushed regularly to stay well-groomed and prevent matting.
During moulting in particular, daily use of a brush is recommended to avoid an excess of hair around your home. Its floppy ears also need regular checks and care to prevent infections.
Is the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon a family dog?
The Pointing Griffon is an excellent choice for family life. However, it is worth noting that it may have a strong protective instinct. If cats are part of the family group, it’s best to socialise them when the Griffon is still a puppy.
The Right Activity for the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
This dog breed was developed for hunting and thus enjoys tasks related to hunting in forests and fields.
Additionally, it can be well-engaged with scent work, such as Mantrailing or Dummy training.
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon as a Passionate Hunting Dog
Since the Griffon Korthals is part of the pointing breeds, it is well-suited for this role. The dog indicates potential game by pointing with a raised paw.
The Griffon Korthals can also excel in blood tracking and search work for game that has been injured.
Health: A Hardy Breed
The Griffon d’arrêt à poil dur is considered a resilient and robust breed. There are no known breed-specific diseases.
Parental health examinations, especially the hips, are – as with most medium and large dog breeds – mandatory before being admitted to breeding.
How old does the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon get?
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons have an average lifespan of twelve years.
Diet: What to Consider When Feeding?
This breed does not tend to obesity or intolerances. Therefore, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon does not require special food. However, it’s crucial to provide high-quality food with a substantial meat content.
Find all the information on appropriate feeding in our “Dog Nutrition” category.
History: Seven Breeds Contributed to the Creation of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
The name of the breed comes from its founder: Ewald Karel Korthals. Born in Amsterdam in 1851, he became the “kennel director” for the German Prince to Solms and bred pointing dogs.
The breed’s origin can be traced back to seven dogs selected by Korthals – including Hessian rough-haired, Dutch “water dogs,” and French Griffons. After 15 years of breeding, a uniform type emerged.
Following Korthals’ death, Baron de Gingins d’Eclepens took over his life’s work and continued to breed with twelve of the best dogs from Korthals’ lines. Although the breed originates from Germany and Gingins was Swiss, the Korthals is recognised by the FCI as a French breed.
Purchase: Tips for Buying a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Puppies of this breed are bred by hunters, for hunters, and as such are typically only sold to hunting enthusiasts. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a relatively rare breed. For instance, in 2022, the German Kennel Club VDH registered only 30 puppies.
For comparison: In the same year, approximately a hundred times more German Wirehaired Pointers (3119) were born in Germany.
Breeding Certification Requires Multiple Tests
Only purchase a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon from breeders who breed with an FCI pedigree and belong to reputable associations. Parent dogs must pass various tests before being approved for breeding.
These include hunting tests revolving around scent tracking and water work. Aggressive or fearful dogs are excluded from breeding. The breed’s physical standards are also assessed against strict criteria prior to breeding approval.
How much does a Griffon Korthals cost?
A purebred Griffon Korthals costs at least £1,000. Prices can range from £1,000 to more than £2,000. Occasionally, older animals no longer suitable for hunting may be available at lower prices.
Similar Breeds
The Griffon Korthals shares many similarities with various hunting dog breeds, particularly the also rare German Roughhaired Pointer and the popular German Wirehaired Pointer.
The Bohemian Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, the Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer, and the Spinone Italiano, like the Griffon Korthals, are pointing breeds of the “Griffon” type.
Other breeds with “Griffon” in their name have comparatively little in common with the Wirehaired: The Griffon Fauve de Bretagne, Griffon Vendéen, Griffon Nivernais, and Griffon Bleu de Gascogne are scenthounds. The three Belgian Griffon breeds are companion dogs.
Conclusion: An Endearing Shaggy Hunter
For those seeking a family-friendly pet which can be provided with hunting tasks, the Griffon Korthals is an excellent choice. Enthusiasts of the breed agree: The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a stunning dog that is affectionate towards its humans while still possessing a mind of its own.
Fact Sheet for Wirehaired Pointing Griffin
| Highlights: | The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a family-friendly, medium-sized hunting dog. It loves to work alongside its human but maintains its independent spirit. This breed falls under the pointing dogs and should be led in hunting. |
| Character: | Intelligent, child-friendly, versatile hunter |
| Height at the Withers: | Males: 55-60cm Females: 50-55cm |
| Weight: | 23-27kg |
| Coat: | Medium-length, harsh top coat with a soft undercoat. Pronounced beard and moustache. |
| Coat Care: | Regular brushing needed, especially during moulting |
| Exercise: | High demand for mental and physical work, or hunting tasks |
| Suitable for Beginners: | Possible if hunting dog training is undertaken |
| Barking: | Prone to territorial barking |
| Life Expectancy: | 12 years |
| Typical Diseases: | No typical hereditary diseases known |
| Price: | From £1,000 to £2,000 |
| FCI Group: | Group 7: Pointing Dogs |
| Origin: | France |
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The zooplus forum was my entry into freelance writing: Here, interested cat lovers came together in 2011 to develop their own print magazine called "Pfotenhieb." In addition to my German studies, I was allowed to write some articles for the "Pfotenhieb". Today, as a happy dog owner, I devote myself mainly to animal and health topics.
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