Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a gentle and intelligent whiskered dog. The quiet country life is what this dog loves best. He blossoms in a steady, low key--but high exercise--family. Long, long runs through fields and then some time in the water with his favorite person are his idea of heaven. He is a sensitive dog who pays attention and will respond quickly to a gentle trainer.

Although the breed was established in the late 1800s by a wealthy Dutchman, it was developed mostly in France. The dog was bred to be a slow, careful hunter with a good nose and fine pointing and retrieving skills.

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon's most distinguishing characteristic is his coat. It is usually brown and gray, of medium length and straight, never curly or woolly. The harshness of it protects the dog from briars, bushes, and the cold. He has a large moustache and big, bushy eyebrows.

Excerpts from the Standard

General Appearance: Medium-sized, with a noble, square-shaped head; strong, able to cover all kinds of terrain. Moves gracefully.

Size, Proportion, and Substance: Height--males, 22 to 24 inches; females, 20 to 22 inches at the withers. Slightly longer than tall.

Fun Facts

These dogs are called "griffons" because of their wiry coats and the extra hair on their faces. In ancient myths, a griffon was a fierce creature that was half lion and half eagle. But this Griffon isn't fierce. Most people today find these shaggy faces lovable and even sweetly comical.

Excerpted from The Complete Dog Book For Kids © 1996, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.