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AKC: Wirehaired Pointing Griffon breed overview

Sporting group · France

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Also called Korthals Griffon, Griffon d'Arrêt à Poil Dur

A bearded, close-working bird dog shaped by one man's obsession, eager to please and happiest in mud.

Designed in the late 1800s by one determined Dutchman, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon points, tracks and retrieves over rough ground and in cold water. It is famously cooperative and family-minded, and it needs an active owner who can give it daily exercise and a task.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

20 to 32 kg

44 to 70 lb

Height

50 to 60 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

12 to 14 yrs

Activity estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

18 months

approximate model input

Life with a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Eduard Korthals was the son of a wealthy Dutch cattle breeder, and in the 1870s he set out to build the perfect dog for a hunter on foot. Working first in the Netherlands and then in Germany, where he ran a kennel for a German prince, he started with a small group of rough-coated dogs and bred selectively for about two decades. The goal was one dog that would point birds, track wounded game and retrieve from land or water, all within easy reach of the gun.

The breed took hold most firmly in France, which is why the FCI lists France as its country of origin. In English-speaking countries it has a small but loyal following, especially among hunters who want a single dog for many jobs, and fans like to call it the supreme gundog.

Away from the field, the Griffon is friendly, gentle and devoted. It tends to be less intense than some pointing breeds and more closely attached to its people, often following them from room to room. It is playful, good with children and endearingly scruffy, with a beard that collects mud, water and the occasional twig.

What stands out

Training

Cooperative, sensitive and eager to please, the Griffon is often described as one of the easiest pointing breeds to train. Korthals selected for dogs that checked in with their handler, and that trait shows in how readily young Griffons look to you for direction. Calm, consistent, reward-based methods work best; harsh corrections tend to make them anxious or hesitant.

Read the full training guide

Easy to train

Open with strangers

Good with other dogs

A great match for

hunters who want one versatile, close-working dog
active families with children
hikers and outdoor enthusiasts
owners who enjoy training

Think twice if

high exercise needs
coat needs hand-stripping or trimming to stay harsh
a beard that carries water and mud indoors
struggles when left alone for long periods
a strong nose that distracts on walks

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	24 kg	1050 kcal	285 g (2.8 cups)
Female, typical pet	24 kg	1200 kcal	325 g (3.3 cups)
Male, typical pet	29 kg	1380 kcal	375 g (3.8 cups)
Male, very active	29 kg	1730 kcal	465 g (4.8 cups)

Full Wirehaired Pointing Griffon feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

FeedingA Griffon in regular work or on long weekend hikes burns through its food. 75 cups, divided into two meals, and working dogs in hunting season may need 20 to 30 percent more.Read more Puppy growthGriffon puppies reach adult height at around 12 months and fill out by 18 months to 2 years. Mentally they stay puppyish longer, often until about 2 years old.Read more ExerciseGriffons need 60 to 90 minutes of exercise a day, ideally with some off-lead running in safe areas. Hunting, field trials, versatile hunting tests, hiking, swimming and scent work all suit them.Read more GroomingThe harsh coat needs relatively little care, but it does need some. Brush once a week with a slicker brush and comb, and hand-strip the dead coat two or three times a year to keep it wiry and weatherproof.Read more HealthThe Griffon is generally a healthy breed. Known predispositions include hip and elbow dysplasia, eyelid problems such as entropion and ectropion, and ear infections, particularly in dogs that swim often.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Developed from the 1870s by Eduard Karel Korthals, a Dutchman who bred dogs in the Netherlands and Germany
2Bred to hunt within gun range of a walking hunter, unlike wide-ranging pointers and setters
3The rough coat protects against brambles, thorns and icy water
4Usually called the Korthals Griffon in continental Europe, where France is listed as its country of origin
5Sheds less than most sporting breeds

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon questions

What does close-working mean for a Griffon?

It means the dog hunts within easy range of a hunter on foot, checking back regularly, rather than covering huge distances like some pointers and setters. Korthals bred for this deliberately so the dog would suit walking hunters in mixed terrain. For pet owners it also means Griffons tend to stay nearer on off-lead walks than many sporting breeds.

Is a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon good for non-hunters?

Yes, if you can give it enough activity. Many Griffons live as family pets and thrive on hiking, swimming, scent games and dog sports. What they struggle with is a sedentary life. They were bred to work all day, so they need daily exercise and mental challenges to stay content and well behaved.

Do Wirehaired Pointing Griffons shed?

Less than many sporting breeds. The wiry coat tends to hold loose hair until it is brushed or stripped out, so you find less on the sofa. They are not non-shedding, however, and some hair will still appear around the house. Weekly brushing and occasional hand-stripping keep it under control.

How is a Griffon different from a German Wirehaired Pointer?

Both are rough-coated versatile hunting breeds, but they have different origins and styles. The German Wirehaired Pointer was developed in Germany, is generally larger and more intense, and often ranges farther. The Griffon was bred by Korthals as a close-working, cooperative dog with a longer, shaggier coat, and it tends to be softer in temperament.

Why is the breed also called the Korthals Griffon?

The name honors Eduard Korthals, the Dutch breeder who developed the dog in the late 19th century. In continental Europe it is usually called the Korthals Griffon, while in North America the name Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is more common. Both names refer to the same breed.

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