Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: The Complete Breed Guide
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, known in much of the world as the Korthals Griffon, is the dog Eduard Korthals set out to build in the 1870s: a single versatile gundog that could point, track, and retrieve, on land and in cold water, while staying close to the hunter. More than a century later it remains a steady, methodical, close-working hunting dog, instantly recognizable by its harsh weatherproof coat and the bushy eyebrows, beard, and mustache that frame its face.
Standing 20 to 24 inches and weighing 35 to 70 pounds, the Griffon is a medium-to-large dog with real stamina and an even more remarkable temperament. Owners describe it as a Velcro dog: deeply bonded, eager to please, gentle with children, and happiest at your side. That devotion is the breed’s gift and its catch. A Griffon given a job and a family thrives. A Griffon left alone in a yard without exercise becomes anxious, loud, and destructive.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Quick Facts
| Breed | Wirehaired Pointing Griffon |
| Other names | Korthals Griffon, Griffon d’arrêt à poil dur |
| Size | 20-24 inches, 35-70 lbs |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
| Coat | Harsh, wiry, weatherproof double coat, hand-stripped, low shedding |
| Temperament | Devoted, gentle, eager to please, "Velcro" dog |
| Exercise | High, vigorous daily exercise plus mental work |
| Good with kids | Excellent in an active family |
| Trainability | High, eager to please but sensitive |
| AKC Group | Sporting |
Is a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Right for You?
A Griffon might be right if you:
- Are active and can give a dog vigorous daily exercise
- Want a deeply bonded, affectionate companion
- Hunt, hike, swim, or do dog sports
- Include the dog in daily family life rather than leaving it alone
- Want a gentle, kid-friendly sporting breed
- Will keep up with coat stripping and ear cleaning
A Griffon might not be right if you:
- Work long hours and leave a dog alone all day
- Live in an apartment without a real exercise plan
- Want an independent, low-attachment dog
- Cannot commit to daily physical and mental work
- Prefer a low-energy companion
- Train with harsh corrections (Griffons are sensitive)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon bred for?
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, also called the Korthals Griffon, was developed in the 1870s and 1880s by Eduard Korthals as a versatile gundog: one dog that could point upland birds, track, and retrieve waterfowl in cold water. It is a close-working, methodical hunter bred to stay within gun range rather than range far like a pointer. That versatility and steady pace are still the breed’s defining traits, and they explain why the Griffon needs a real outlet for its working drive even in a pet home.
Are Wirehaired Pointing Griffons good family dogs?
Yes. Griffons are famously affectionate, gentle, and devoted, often described as Velcro dogs because they want to be wherever their people are. They are typically excellent with children and get along with other dogs. The flip side of that devotion is that they do not do well being left alone for long stretches; an isolated, under-exercised Griffon becomes anxious and destructive. They suit an active household that includes the dog in daily life, not a home where the dog is left in the yard.
How much exercise does a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon need?
A lot. This is a hunting breed with all-day stamina, and it needs vigorous daily exercise plus mental work, generally well over an hour. Long runs, swimming, retrieving games, hiking, and dog sports like agility or field work all suit it. Griffons love water and are strong swimmers. Without enough physical and mental outlet they get bored, vocal, and destructive. They are not a good fit for apartment living or sedentary owners unless that exercise need is genuinely met every day.
Do Wirehaired Pointing Griffons shed much?
Griffons shed relatively little for their size. They have a harsh, wiry, weatherproof outer coat over a softer undercoat, plus the breed’s signature bushy eyebrows, beard, and mustache. The coat is meant to be hand-stripped a few times a year to keep its correct harsh texture; many pet owners simply brush weekly and tidy as needed. They are not hypoallergenic, but they are a lower-shedding breed than most sporting dogs. Check and clean the drop ears regularly, since the beard and ear shape trap moisture.
What health problems do Wirehaired Pointing Griffons have?
The Griffon is a generally healthy, hardy breed, but responsible breeders screen the parents. The main concerns are hip and elbow dysplasia, inherited eye conditions such as entropion and ectropion, and hypothyroidism. As a deep-chested breed, the Griffon also carries some risk of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), so owners should learn the warning signs. Their drop ears make routine ear cleaning important to prevent infections. Ask breeders for OFA hip and elbow results, an eye exam, and a thyroid panel on the parents.
How long do Wirehaired Pointing Griffons live?
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons typically live 12 to 15 years. They are a robust, working-bred dog without the extreme features that shorten the lifespans of some breeds. Keeping the dog lean, well exercised, and on routine veterinary care, plus buying from a breeder who health-tests the parents, gives a Griffon the best chance at a long, active life well into its teens.