European gundog → family companion
Close and steady
Griffons work at a steadier pace and closer to the hunter than many pointers.
Meet the parents and see their energy, how they greet people and how they settle.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon · Sporting
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: temperament, training & coat care
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a medium-sized rough-coated gundog with a beard and eyebrows. Most are friendly, loyal and keen to work close to their person. Life goes well with daily walks and swims, slow alone-time training, gentle training and regular coat care.
- Job: Close-working pointer and retriever from Korthals.
- Energy: High; daily walks, swims and field work.
- Home: Best with active owners who are home a lot.
First, the point
A Griffon is a friendly gundog that needs daily walks and swims, slow alone-time training and coat care
Public breed histories describe a late-1800s gundog developed by Eduard Korthals to point and retrieve.
Most Griffons are cheerful and people-focused. Typical struggles are worry when left, chasing, mouthiness and jumping up.
In the first months I teach short alone time, recall, calm greetings and table handling.
- Height
- 20–24 in (51–61 cm)
- Weight
- 50–70 lb (23–32 kg)
- Energy
- High (work then rest)
- Coat / shed
- Harsh rough coat with beard — light shedding; weekly brushing
- Job
- Close-working pointer and retriever developed by Korthals
Breed history
A rough-coated hunting dog from Korthals
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was developed in the late 1800s by Eduard Korthals, a Dutch breeder who worked in Germany and France. He wanted a close-working dog that pointed and retrieved on land and in water. That job made a friendly, loyal, rough-coated dog that likes to stay near its person.
Late 1800s → close-working gundog
One man’s plan
Public breed histories describe Korthals building the breed from a small number of rough-coated dogs.
In France the breed is often called the Griffon Korthals.
What the breed was bred for
Friendly, loyal and eager
In plain trainer language: Griffons are cheerful, people-focused dogs that like to work with you.
The hard parts are worry when left alone, chasing birds, mouthiness, jumping up and a messy beard. Daily exercise, slow alone-time training and gentle training help most.
- Daily walks and swims
- Slow alone-time training
- Gentle, kind training
- Coat care
Public references: FCI 107, AKC Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, RKC.
Life together
A Griffon’s day is a field walk and family time
Griffons need daily exercise outdoors. Afterwards, most want to be close to their people.
Garden · railings
Out and about
Griffons follow birds. Practise check-ins on walks.
See name check-in.
Show · table
Calm on the table
Table practice makes grooming and vet visits easy.
See puppy handling.
Indoors · stack
A sturdy gundog
Build alone time slowly so the dog can cope when you leave.
See first absences.
Care and health themes
Monthly checks: coat, ears, beard and weight
A trainer’s checklist, not veterinary advice. See a vet for ear smell, limping, eye changes or low energy. For urgent signs, see when to call the vet.
Coat
Brush weekly; some coats need light hand-stripping.
Ears
Dry after swimming; check for smell.
Beard
Wipe after meals; check for food and burrs.
Weight
Keep lean and fit.
Health screening (not a diagnosis)
Ask the breeder which screenings the national breed club recommends, including hip scores and eye tests, and see results for both parents.
Toxins
I do not publish toxin amounts. Call a vet or poison-control line if the dog eats something dangerous.
Lines and types
Hunting or family Griffon
Griffons are still bred for hunting, and many live as active family dogs.
Hunting homes
- Close-working pointer.
- Retrieves on land and water.
- Needs regular field work.
- Handles rough ground.
The breed’s original job.
Family homes
- Still needs daily exercise.
- Loves to be with people.
- Enjoys scent games.
- Needs coat care.
Best for active families.
Socialization windows
What to introduce — and what not to overload — by age
AVSAB-aligned in spirit: short, clean exposures at a distance the puppy can still eat, with hygiene while vaccines finish. See the puppy socialization schedule.
Friendly start
Introduce: handling, table practice, tiny alone times, toilet routine.
Do not overload: never being left.
Recall and greetings
Introduce: long-line recall, calm greetings, loose-lead walking.
Do not overload: off-lead near birds.
Busy teenager
Introduce: retrieve games, settle, swimming.
Do not overload: too little exercise.
Adult work
Introduce: field work, tracking, hikes.
Do not overload: long gaps in training.
Loyal adult
Introduce: refreshed recall and alone time.
Do not overload: boredom.
Before you buy
Who a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon usually fits
A Griffon suits active people who want a friendly, medium-sized gundog and are home a lot.
Good match
More likely a good fit if you…
- Walk or hike daily
- Like hunting, tracking or swimming
- Are home much of the day
- Do not mind a wet beard
- Want a loyal, cheerful dog
Mismatch risk
A Wirehaired Pointing Griffon may be a poor choice if…
- Long hours alone are routine
- Mess bothers you
- Daily exercise is short
- You want a guard dog
- You dislike grooming
If you are torn between breeds
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs German Wirehaired Pointer and Spinone Italiano
Griffons are compared with German Wirehaired Pointers and Spinoni.
Size
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Medium.
German Wirehaired Pointer Larger.
With strangers
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Usually friendly.
German Wirehaired Pointer Often reserved.
Size
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Medium.
Spinone Italiano Large.
Pace
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Steady, close.
Spinone Italiano Slower trot.
Coat
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Rough.
Both compares All have rough coats.
Ownership without surprises
What a Griffon costs to keep
Prices vary by country. These are the spending themes, not figures.
Grooming
Brushes and occasional stripping.
Health checks
Ask which screenings the national breed club recommends.
Towels
For beards and muddy legs.
Long line and harness
Safe freedom.
Training
Gundog or tracking classes.
Insurance
Consider it early.
With a Griffon, coat care and time outdoors are the main needs.
Before day one at home
What to prepare for a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon puppy
A Griffon puppy is friendly and mouthy. Start table handling and tiny absences early.
Table handling
See puppy handling.
Tiny absences
See first absences.
Gentle mouths
See biting and nipping.
Enforced naps
See enforced naps.
Toilet routine
Follow potty training.
Short walks
See walk length by age.
If the dog is already yours
Training a Griffon is kind and varied
Griffons learn well with food and praise, and dislike harsh handling.
My core list: alone time, recall, calm greetings and a settle.
Field work, tracking and swimming are great outlets.
Load balance
Field walk, swim, then a rest
A field walk, a swim and a rest suit most Griffons.
Walk Swim Point Greet Rest
Walks, swims, a little bird-dog play and calm hellos suit most Griffons.
A Griffon that greets calmly and gets outdoors daily is a cheerful companion.
Greetings
How to teach a Griffon calm greetings
Reward four paws on the floor, and give the mouth a toy to hold.
- 01
Toy by the door
Ready for visitors.
- 02
Hand it over
Mouth busy.
- 03
Four paws down
Reward on the floor.
- 04
Guest greets calm dog
Not a jumping one.
- 05
Practise with friends
Many short visits.
One scene close-up
Why your Griffon grabs sleeves when people arrive
Griffons were bred to carry birds and love people, so hellos get mouthy.
Hand the dog a soft toy at the door so the mouth is busy.
Reward four paws on the floor and ask guests to greet only a calm dog.
Typical household scenes
Where Wirehaired Pointing Griffon owners most often need help
A breed page is only a starting point; the fix depends on health, environment, and the dog in front of you. Each row opens a step-by-step guide.
Practical view
“With a Griffon, I keep training kind and varied. We build short absences, recall and calm greetings — because a people-focused gundog needs to cope alone too.”
Sessions cover real scenes: worry when left alone, chasing, mouthiness, and jumping up. I am a trainer, not a veterinarian. No invented reviews.
Andrew Darov Professional dog trainer and instructor
WhatsApp consult Talk through your Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Describe age, living setup, and where the dog breaks first — worry when left alone, chasing, mouthiness, or jumping up. Opens WhatsApp to Andrew.
Short answers
FAQ
Is a Griffon a good first dog?
Yes for active owners who are home a lot.
Are Griffons good with children?
Usually friendly; supervise.
Do Griffons shed?
A little; brush weekly.
How much exercise does an adult need?
A lot: daily walks and swims.
Can Griffons be left alone?
Build alone time slowly.
Who created the breed?
Eduard Korthals in the late 1800s.
Can a Griffon live in a flat?
Yes with lots of daily exercise.
Do Griffons need grooming?
Weekly brushing and some hand-stripping.
What about health?
Ask which screenings the national breed club recommends and see the parents' results.
What is the typical lifespan of a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?
Public breed references often give about 12 to 14 years. Individual dogs vary.
Is it the same as the Brussels Griffon?
No; that is a small toy breed.
If a Griffon’s energy is too much
If you want a rough-coated, sturdy dog with a different job, consider this one.
German Wirehaired Pointer
A tough, loyal German hunting dog with a wiry coat that needs hard daily exercise, early socialising and a taught settle.
German Shorthaired Pointer
An energetic, affectionate German hunting dog that needs hard daily exercise, long-line recall and a taught settle at home.
Vizsla
An affectionate, sensitive Hungarian pointer that needs daily running, slow alone-time training and a taught settle.
Standard Schnauzer
Bearded, wiry farm dog: alert, clever and loyal.
More Sporting group breeds
Other guides from the same group in the breed library. Same group does not mean same dog: read the fit and the failure modes, not only the outline.
American Cocker Spaniel
A gentle, affectionate American spaniel with a long silky coat that needs kind handling, regular grooming and ear care.
Brittany
A keen, friendly French bird dog that needs daily running, long-line recall training and a taught settle at home.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
A tough, loyal American water retriever with an oily wavy coat that needs early socialising, clear rules and plenty of swimming.
Clumber Spaniel
A heavy, easy-going white English spaniel that needs sniffing walks, kitchen manners and careful weight control.
Curly-Coated Retriever
A clever, independent English retriever with tight curls that needs varied training, daily exercise and calm visitor routines.
English Cocker Spaniel
A merry, busy British spaniel that needs scent games, retrieve and trade practice, ear care and a taught settle.
Need a read on your exact situation?
Describe your Wirehaired Pointing Griffon’s age and the scene that repeats most: worry when left alone, chasing, mouthiness, or jumping up. We check safety first, then pick the first skill.
Written by Andrew Darov, professional dog trainer. Not veterinary advice and not a diagnosis.
Not a kennel club. No invented reviews. No vaccine schedules or toxin doses. Photo credits in
/images/breeds/wirehaired-pointing-griffon-guide/credits.md.