Though bred as a search detent , the wirehaired pointing griffon has evolved into a dear companion thanks to his friendly conduct , eminent word , lovely scruffiness , and down in the mouth - throw away coat .
Wirehaired pointing griffons were bred as all - purposehunting dogsbut have since become a popular breed for those hunting for the perfect four - legged companion . With their seedy appearing that ’s both distinctive and lovely , plus an up - for - anything disposition , WPGs are a attempt - after family pet .
Although the wirehaired pointing Brussels griffon is amedium - sized breed(females are just 20–22 column inch marvelous and matter 35–50 pounds , while males are larger at 22–24 inch magniloquent and matter 50–70 pounds ) , these dogs have gravid exercise needs . program to spend lots of time walk , tramp , swimming , or engage in tight - pace activities like rally and aroma trailing .
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In exchange for keeping their paws go , wirehaired luff griffons give lots of love , allegiance , and society .
Appearance
The wirehaired pointing wire-haired pointing griffon has a hallmark scruffiness that earns them a portion of attention . " Their moustache , beard , and shaggy-haired eyebrows give them their characteristic look , " say Melanie Tuttle , vice president of theAmerican Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association .
" Griffs , " as they ’re dear called , have alow - shedding double coatthat ’s one of their most recognisable features : Their priming are diffuse , almost down - like , while their outercoats consist of average - length unbent and wiry whisker in wraith of brown , chestnut , and grey . This fur sticks out in all directions , giving them an unkempt appearance . Their optic , which are shades of browned or yellow , give the wirehaired pointing griffon a friendly , intelligent expression .
Their scruffiness is how you may tell wirehaired pointing Brussels griffon apart from the similar - lookingGerman wirehaired Spanish pointer . Though both breeds have similar colorations and stringy fuzz , German wirehaired cursor have a thin coat with a kempt moustache and whiskers . Griffons , on the other hand , have seedy fur all over their face — fundamentally , they look like a German wirehaired pointer who ’s badly in need of a haircut .
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Temperament
Wirehaired pointing griffons are sleep together for being well-disposed , truehearted , and eager to please . " Griffs hump being with people , " Tuttle says . " They exude personality . "
Griffs arehappiest in active familieswhere there are lots of opportunities to fire off their abundant energy . These sporting Canis familiaris are athletic and love to be on the go ; wirehaired channelize griffons make excellent hiking or track buddies and often take part in dog sports such as obedience , rally , agility , and trailing .
" Just walk around the closure on a threesome is n’t going to be enough for a griff , " Tuttle sound out . " They need a place to get out and run . "
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Thanks to their easygoing personalities and up - for - anything attitudes , wirehaired pointing griffons love everyone they meet , from childrento fellow dogs , and will mirthfully bestow all who pass with affection and attending .
Living Needs
A well - exercised griff makes a neat family pet . While some breeders and saving take a firm stand that owners havelarge , palisade yardsfor wirehaired pointing Belgian griffon to toy in , Tuttle believe the strain canthrive in apartmentsas long as there are slews of opportunities for hiking , swimming , bring , and other bodily process that will fire off their vim .
" These frankfurter are not the right selection for mass who desire low - energy overlap weenie , " she says .
As much as wirehaired indicate wire-haired pointing griffon roll in the hay outdoor play , they , like every weenie strain , are not intend toliveoutdoors . Griffs , Tuttle say , grow strong bonds with their owners and require to be part of the fellowship , whether go after along on hikes or cuddling up for movie night .
" This is a strain that wants to be with people and is meant to live on in a dwelling as part of a category , " Tuttle say . " They makegreat mob members ; they are very loyal to their families . "
And while wirehaired pointing griffons get along well with kiddos and other doggy friends , they were bred for hunting and mayretain their target drive . So , the strain may not be well - suited to homes with cats , hare , or other small PET .
Care
Wirehaired pointing griffons are considered a " race and go " breed . Aside from anoccasional bathandweekly brush , their low - shake off coats are low - upkeep .
But when it get along to work out andtraining , Griffs are more demanding . Not only isregular physical exercisea must for the high - energy stock , wirehaired head griffons are alsointelligent pupsand take genial stimulant .
bodily process such as fetch or longsighted hike with plenty of time to blockade and sniffle the surroundings are excellent outlets for wirehaired pointing griffon . After lengthy walk or play at the park , offering mystifier toyscan also help these bright dogs work out their brains — but be sure to vary up natural process often .
" Griffs arevery trainable , but they get bored quickly , " Tuttle enunciate .
Keep grooming seance short , fast - paced , and varied to keep griffs from abandon the teachings . As with all breeds , wirehaired indicate griffons react best topositive reinforcement trainingandreceiving rewards ( like yummy treats)for a job well done . Competitions include obedience and hunt exam are another a style to cater wirehaired pointing griffons with both genial and physical stimulant .
Health
While the wirehaired pointing griffin has a lifespan of 12–14 years and isconsidered a healthy breed , the hound , like all stock , can experience some health issues .
Hip or elbow dysplasiais a condition in which the junction of the articulatio coxae or cubital joint does n’t fit into the socket , do detrition and pain . Although hip and cubital joint dysplasia is more common in larger dog , wirehaired pointing griffons can also be name with this . Treatments array from physical therapy and anti - inflammatory medications to surgery .
Griffons can also have eye problems . Issues like ectropion ( a precondition that causes the lower eyelid to roll up outward , have dry eye ) and entropion ( a rolling of the eyelid inward , triggering corneal ulcers and pain ) can bear upon wirehaired direct griffons .
Wirehaired pointing Brussels griffon are predisposed toSteroid Responsive Meningitis Arteritis(SRMA ) , says Karen Muñana , DVM , MS , DACVIM , prof of veterinary neurology at theNorth Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine . The neurologic disease causes inflammation of the meninges , the fibrous membranes coat the brain and spinal corduroy , cause severe cervix pain in the neck .
" We do n’t know the crusade of SRMA , " Muñana says . " We also do n’t see why sure strain [ like the wirehaired pointing griffon ] are predisposed , but the disease is likely shape to some extent by genetics . "
History
There is some debate over the wirehaired direct griffin ’s line of descent . Eduard Korthals , a Dutch breeder and avid hunter , began developing the hunt dog in the previous 1800s , agree to the AWPGA . He cross several hunt breeds in his quest to create the " ultimate walking hunting watch ’s gun heel , " working in Germany and , later , France . This top to disagreements about whether the griffon is a Dutch or Gallic breed .
But thereisunanimous agreement about one thing : The wirehaired pointing Belgian griffon is a well - rounded hunting hot dog that is adapted to hunting all coinage of biz across wide-ranging terrain and climate .
" It ’s a walking gentleman ’s hunting dog-iron , " Tuttle says . " It ’s a dog that can do it all . These dog are capable of show and retrieving on Din Land and in Reginald Marsh ; they also do water retrieves . "
The wirehaired pointing griffon , long a favourite breed in France , is becoming more popular in the U.S. Tuttle is n’t sure what contribute to the uprise interest in the breed , but say one thing ’s for sure : " The secret is out . "
