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Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

One of the foundation breeds of the Deutsch Drahthaar.

At a Glance

Built for Heavy cover, wetlands, mixed terrain. Close-working, thorough, reliable.
From Netherlands/Germany/France. AWPGA/AKC/FIC registry 
Temperament Gentle, loyal, steady, people-oriented. One of the most family-friendly versatile breeds.
Coat Harsh, straight outer coat with thick undercoat. Highly weather and water resistant. Distinctive mustache and eyebrows.
Size 50–60 lbs
Live with Genuine house dog. Settles well at home. Not a kennel dog. Good with the whole family.
Best for Hunter who works heavy cover and wetlands and wants a close-working, methodical dog that also fits into family life.
Famous for One of the foundation breeds of the Deutsch Drahthaar. The "Supreme Gundog" — Korthals Griffon.

Origin

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was developed in the 1870s by Eduard Korthals, a Dutch breeder working across the Netherlands, Germany, and France. Korthals spent over two decades selectively breeding for a single goal: a dog that could work all terrain, all game, and all day — close to the hunter, thorough in the field, and reliable in any conditions.

He drew from several wire-coated European breeds, carefully selecting for nose, temperament, coat, and hunting ability across generations. The result was a breed so closely associated with its creator that it is still called the Korthals Griffon in much of Europe.

In the early 20th century, the Griffon was one of four breeds selected as foundation stock for the Deutsch Drahthaar, contributing its close-working hunting style, harsh weather-resistant coat, and stable temperament to the wire-coated breed.

Original Purpose

A hunter's dog for difficult terrain. The Griffon was built for the hunter who worked on foot through heavy cover, wetlands, and rough ground — and needed a dog that stayed close, worked thoroughly, and retrieved from water without hesitation. It was never built for wide-open country or field trial competition. It was built for the real hunt.

Hunting Style

The Griffon works close — closer than most continental versatile breeds. It quarters methodically, uses its nose deliberately, and points with steadiness. It does not blow past birds. It finds them, holds them, and waits for the hunter to get into position.

On water it is fearless and capable. In heavy cover it pushes through. It is not a fast, wide-ranging dog — it is a thorough, reliable one. Hunters who work dense cover, wetlands, and mixed terrain find the Griffon's close-working style a significant advantage.

Temperament

Gentle. Loyal. Steady. People-oriented.

The Griffon is one of the more family-friendly versatile hunting breeds without sacrificing field ability. It bonds deeply with its handler and family, is gentle with children, and has a calm, stable temperament at home. It is not an edge-of-the-seat, high-strung dog — it is grounded, reliable, and easy to live with.

In the field it is focused and serious. At home it settles. The Griffon has a genuine off switch, which makes it one of the more manageable wire-coated breeds for families who also hunt.

Coat Type

Harsh, straight outer coat with a thick, dense undercoat. The coat is highly weather and water resistant — built for cold mornings, wet marshes, and heavy brush. The Griffon's distinctive mustache and eyebrows are breed hallmarks.

Color: Steel gray with brown markings, chestnut brown, roan, white and brown, white and orange. Steel gray with brown is most common.

Trainability

Excellent. The Griffon is sensitive, responsive, and eager to work with its handler. It does not require heavy pressure — fair, consistent training with clear communication produces exceptional results.

Its sensitivity is an asset in training but requires a handler who reads the dog well. Harsh or inconsistent corrections can set the Griffon back. Patience and relationship-building pay off significantly with this breed.

First-time versatile breed owners who are willing to engage with the breed community and invest in proper training will find the Griffon one of the most accessible wire-coated options.

What It's Actually Like to Live and Hunt with a Griffon

The Griffon is the dog that fits into your life without demanding you rebuild it around them. It hunts hard, comes home, and settles. It wants to be near you — on the couch, in the truck, in the blind. It is not a kennel dog by nature.

In the field it is a pleasure to hunt behind. It doesn't range out of sight. It works the cover in front of you, finds the birds, and holds the point. You always know where it is. That close-working style is something hunters either love immediately or learn to love after a season.

The Griffon is the kind of dog that non-hunters in the family end up loving as much as the hunter does. That's not an accident — it was bred to live with people, not just work for them.

Family Compatibility

One of the best family dogs in the versatile hunting breed world. The Griffon is gentle, patient, affectionate, and good with children. It integrates naturally into active households and adapts well to life between seasons. Its calm temperament and genuine off switch make it one of the most livable wire-coated breeds.

Common Misconceptions

"The Griffon is too close-working to be effective."
Close-working is not a limitation — it is a style. In heavy cover, wetlands, and mixed terrain, a dog that stays in range and works thoroughly is more effective than a wide-ranging dog that covers ground but misses birds. The Griffon's style is a deliberate design choice, not a deficiency.

"The Griffon is a soft dog."
Gentle temperament is not the same as soft hunting drive. The Griffon is a serious hunting dog with a strong nose, natural retrieving instinct, and genuine field ability. Its temperament makes it easier to live with — not less capable in the field.

Best For

  • Hunters who work heavy cover, wetlands, and mixed terrain
  • Handlers who want a close-working, methodical versatile dog
  • Families who hunt and want a dog that integrates into both worlds
  • First-time versatile breed owners who want a wire-coated dog with a more approachable temperament
  • Those who value a stable, people-oriented dog that is also a serious hunter

Registry & Organizations

  • AWPGA — American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association
  • NAVHDA — widely used for testing in North America

Testing: NAVHDA Natural Ability, Utility Preparatory, Utility tests. AWPGA field testing also available.

Role in the Deutsch Drahthaar

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was one of four foundation breeds used in the development of the Deutsch Drahthaar. It contributed its close-working hunting style, harsh weather-resistant coat, and stable temperament to the wire-coated breed.

Related Breeds

Deutsch Drahthaar · Pudelpointer · Cesky Fousek · Deutsch Kurzhaar

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