Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
硬毛指示格里芬犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a medium-sized, all-purpose gundog developed by the Dutchman Eduard Korthals in the 1870s for cold, marshy ground — recognisable by its harsh, bristly, low-shedding coat, lavish moustache and eyebrows. Griffs are outgoing, devoted and highly trainable, but they are social, powerful dogs that need daily mental and physical challenges and do not tolerate kennel life or long hours alone.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 51–61cm |
| Weight | 16–32kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15years |
| Breed group | AKC: sporting FCI: 7 |
| Role | Sporting |
| Coat | Wire coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 90–180min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 5/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 4/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is reported in the breed. Ask your vet about thyroid testing if you notice weight gain, lethargy or coat changes.
Ear infections
Recurring ear infections are commonly reported, particularly in drop-eared dogs. Ask your vet how to check and clean the ears.
Behaviour
Trainable, affectionate weekend hunter's dog
The CKC says the breed is regarded as very trainable and affectionate, able to double as companion and pet for the weekend hunter; the AKC calls the Griffon a deliberate, thorough and tireless worker with a strong desire to please, best brought on with positive, consistent training.
Social, powerful, needs daily challenge
The AKC says Griffons are social animals needing a great deal of attention, time and patience, do not make good full-time kennel dogs, and as intelligent, physically powerful adults need considerable daily mental and physical challenge or they become bored, unhappy and destructive; the CKC says it enjoys a fair amount of outdoor exercise and long jaunts in the woods.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 5/5 (very high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 5/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Griffon Wire Haired Pointing (Sporting Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Korthals Griffon Imp
Breed characteristics (size large, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Wire Haired Pointing Griffon Korthals (standard no. 107, group 7)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's health page lists hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, eye problems such as entropion and hypothyroidism as the conditions breeders should test for — thyroid testing has been required of its breeders since 2017 — encourages CHIC certification, and maintains a free public health-and-pedigree database so buyers can check a litter's parents, grandparents and littermates.”
— American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association — Health & Genetics via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Wirehaired Pointing Griffon — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Griffon Wire Haired Pointing — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Korthals Griffon Imp — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Wire Haired Pointing Griffon Korthals — FCI standard no. 107 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Health & Genetics — American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association — American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association (public health pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.