Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, or simply WPG, is a sweet-natured sporting dog. With an expressive face, complete with a scraggly beard and eyebrows, it’s easy for their happy-go-lucky nature to win a family over. However, they are still extremely good at their jobs, unparalleled in the field. Read on to learn more about the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

Description of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

These dogs are shaggy, which hides some of their true athleticism. Under all that shag, they are well-muscled, but not bulky. Their alert eyes also hide behind an excess amount of wiry hair. Generally, they are a grey color with brown markings.

Bred by a Dutchmen, and developed in France, this breed excels all around. They enjoy both swimming, and hunting on land. Plus, they are equally happy when they get home from the field. This dog’s webbed toes and harsh coat allow it to excel in all environments. Wiry hair is good for the brush and brambles, and protects these dogs well from the elements.

Life Expectancy and Size

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon lives into its early to mid teens, with an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Their life expectancy is quite impressive for a large dog.

These dogs stand between 20 to 24 inches at the shoulder, and can weigh between 35 and 70 pounds, with females on the lower end of that spectrum.

Protective Ability

This breed is by no means a guard dog. They are simply too friendly, and are likely to see the best in both strange people and dogs. The WPG is a loyal breed that bonds strongly with owners and families. However, their protective instinct is generally low, but can vary between individuals.

Training

This is a very trainable breed. The WPG wants to please, and actually quite enjoys productive training sessions. Their personalities are not as distractible as many other pointers.

These dogs specifically excel at hunting. They are fine spending long days in the field, and in fact enjoy the challenge and workout. Many people argue that they are some of the best hunters around.

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon does best with a rewarding owner that can guide him through potentially distractible moments. He is social and wants to please, therefore he responds well to kind guidance rather than criticism. These dogs do best with a rewards-based training program initiated from a young age.

Energy Level

As hunting dogs that are required to run for many hours through the woods, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is quite high energy. They need daily vigorous activity, and ideally some sort of job that can give their minds a workout as well.

That being said, once these dogs come home from outings, they are usually happy to hang out with the family. They do not bounce off the walls like many other pointers.

What Living with a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is Like

When the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has a suitable job to do, he can be an absolute joy to live with. Smart, yet easy going, this breed really wants to hang with his owners, making them good dogs for families. Most enjoy kids and other dogs. They are friendly and generally non-aggressive.

It is most important to provide the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon with a job. Most problems with these dogs arise because they become bored.

Another essential aspect of this breed is their social nature. They love spending time with people, and do not do well when left alone. The WPG can also benefit from adequate socialization early on. This will ensure that they not only bond with their family, but are also confident and happy with strangers as well.

Care of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

These hardworking dogs are well-suited to a many homes and lifestyles, as long as their owners are able to provide them with enough attention and activity.

Environmental Needs

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon’s special coat makes it very adaptable. It does well in all weather conditions, especially the rain. Water simply wicks right off!

The WPG can handle cold conditions, but not extreme cold. Their stringy hair may actually freeze in some settings!

Exercise Needs

As a hunting dog, the WPG still requires not only adequate exercise, but also a job to challenge his mind.

These dogs love being outdoors, making long walks in the woods a great option to keep them active. They also may enjoy hiking or biking with their owners. Activities need to occur daily to keep the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon from becoming bored. While these dogs can be great house pets, they cannot simply be allowed to laze around the yard.

Of course, they excel at hunting both in water and on land. This can be a great way to keep them fit and happy. Although this breed is not the most popular pointer, they are some of the best hunters around.

Shedding and Grooming

Weekly brushing should be adequate to remove any loose dirt or hair that may become trapped under the wiry outer layer of hair. Trimming may be necessary around the face, ears, and feat. Their ears especially can be prone to infection, so trimming hair may avoid this.

In terms of shedding, the WPG is quite manageable. They are low-shedding dogs that might be a good choice for some people with allergies.

Ideal Home Environment

This breed is a great choice for families and active individuals. They will make a fun addition to any household that is willing to put up with their need for activity. Unless you are looking for a couch potato or a guard dog, the WPG’s sweet personality may be a good fit.

These dogs will do particularly well in homes that can provide adequate access to the outdoors. They do not have to be hunting dogs, but like having access to a job.

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon may also bark a lot. While this can be decreased by providing these dogs with enough exercise and mental stimulation, families should be aware of the possibility of a loud roommate.

Health Concerns

This breed is generally quite healthy, giving them a very long life expectancy, especially for a medium to large breed.

Common issues can arise with the eyes or joints. Hip dysplasia, which causes pain in the joint, is especially common in older dogs. Some have issues with ear infections, and benefit from careful cleaning.

Purchasing a WPG from a reputable breeder will decrease the chance of encountering these problems. They can screen for many common issues.

Behavior Problems

This breed was bred to hunt. Because of this, they may decide to chase things, even when the owner has no desire for sport. Early obedience training can help these pointers listen even when distracted.

As lovable as they are, the WPG’s social nature may predispose them to separation anxiety. Owners that are gone too frequently may cause them to become distressed. This may lead to chewing or other destructive behaviors. Bored dogs may also begin to bark.

Generally, there are easy fixes to this breed’s behavior issues. As always, discuss any issues with a specialist.