Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (called the Korthals Griffon in the UK, and the Griffon d'arrêt à poil dur Korthals in France and Quebec) is abreed of dog used in hunting as a gundog. It is sometimes considered to be Dutch in ancestry, due to the nationality of the breed founder, Eduard Karel Korthals. Others consider the Griffon to be a German breed because Korthals' kennel, Ipenwoud, was located in Biebesheim am Rhein, Germany. It was there for over twenty years that Korthals dedicated his life to the development and perfection of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

The breed is still relatively rare in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom despite long recognition by their respective kennel clubs, as well as the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale). The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is particularly adapted for hunting in thick undergrowth and around water, where its harsh coat is excellent protection.

Appearance

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a medium-sized dog with a harsh, wiry coat. According to its AKC standard, the coat is preferably steel gray with brown markings. Other acceptable colors: chestnut brown, white and brown, roan, and white and orange. All brown, all white or white and orange are less desirable. A black coat disqualifies. Tan point coloration is substandard and indicates existence of the tan gene.

The Griffon should have flat ears that lie close to the head, and eyes that are either yellow or brown. Its nose must be brown.^[1]

History

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was developed by Eduard Karel Korthals beginning in 1873.^[2] Korthals' dream was to create the ideal versatile gun dog; one with extreme resiliency, vigor, and devotion to its master. The dog would also have to work close to its master, and be open to training.

Korthals' breeding line began in 1874 with "Mouche", who would be used as its foundation bitch, as well as five other dogs described as "Griffons": Janus, Satan, Banco, Hector, and Junon. He interbred the dogs carefully until offspring were produced that resembled his dream pointing dog. Much speculation is given as to which other breeds contributed to Korthals' line. Some sources refer to other pointers from Germany and France, others point to continental Spaniels, while still others believe English and French waterdogs played a part in creating the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. In any event, the resulting offspring (Moustache I, Lina, and Querida) are referred to as the "Korthals Patriarchs" because they are the Griffon's direct ancestors.^[3] However, these dogs still looked very different from today's modern Griffon.

The American Kennel Club's first registered Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was "Zolette", who was entered into the stud book in 1887. However, the Griffon was still relatively unknown, and she was registered as a "Russian Setter(Griffon)" for her presumed Russian heritage. It was not until 1916, twenty-nine years later, that the breed was officially recognized in the United States. In that same year, sixteen Griffons appeared in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, one of the most prestigious shows in the country.^[3] Since then, the breed has grown in popularity as not only a show dog but also a versatile gun dog, Korthals' original intention for the breed. For the most part, the breed still resembles his original intentions: a medium size, harsh coat, good degree of trainability, and resilient on the field and in the ring.^[4]

history
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was developed sometime around 1870 by a Dutch breeder named Eduard Korthals. An enthusiastic hunter, his goal was to breed a dog that would hunt in all kinds of terrain. Korthals mixed German Griffons, French and German Pointers, Spaniels, Barbets and a Setter. He developed the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon in his breeding program in less than 20 years, writing a standard, and in 1916 formed the Griffon Club of America. The dogs excel in small-game hunting, such as hare and quail; they are eager hunters with fine noses. That same year he showed sixteen Wirehaired Pointing Griffons at the Westminister Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. In the 1980s a select few breeders decided to mix the Cesky Fousek into the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon lines. This caused an uproar and the American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association was formed with the goal of preserving the purity of the original breed. The American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association is the AKC parent club for the WPG. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was recognized by the AKC in 1887.

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Other names	Korthals Griffon Griffon d'arrêt à poil dur Korthals
Country of origin	Netherlands, Germany
[hide]Traits Height Male 22–24 in (56–61 cm) Female 20–22 in (51–56 cm) Coat Dense, wiry double coat. Undercoat is thick and provides insulation.
[show]Classification and standards