Canis lupus familiaris
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Featured photowirehaired-pointing-griffon.jpgThe Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a Korthals's 1873 versatile slow-working harsh-coated pointing dog from Otterhound + Griffon + Spaniel crosses. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was created by Dutch breeder Eduard Karel Korthals beginning in 1873, who crossed the now-extinct Otterhound, the German Griffon, French Spaniel, and German Pointer to produce a versatile slow-working pointing dog with a harsh, weatherproof coat.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Sporting
- Origin country
- Netherlands / France
- Origin period
- Late 19th century
- Coat type
- Wirehaired
- Coat colors
- Steel Grey with Brown Markings, Chestnut Brown, Roan, White and Brown
- Average lifespan
- 12-14 years
- Recognition
- AKC 1887 · FCI 1954 · UKC 1948 · Group 7 — Pointing Dogs (Section 1.3: Continental Pointing Dogs, Griffon type)
Origin
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was created by Dutch breeder Eduard Karel Korthals (1851-1896) beginning in 1873, when Korthals — son of a wealthy banker — set out to create the ideal versatile gun-dog. Foundation crosses involved the now-extinct Otterhound, German Griffon, French Spaniel, German Pointer, and Barbet, blended over twenty years and seven generations into a versatile slow-working pointing dog with a harsh, weatherproof coat suited to the rough French and Dutch hunting country. Korthals worked at the Bibesco kennel in Germany, then the Ipenwoud kennel in the Netherlands. The breed is sometimes called the Korthals Griffon after its creator. The AKC was the first registry to admit the breed, in 1887.
Recognition
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1887, the United Kennel Club followed in 1948, and the Federation Cynologique Internationale published the international standard (FCI No. 107) in 1954. The FCI assigns the breed to Group 7 — Pointing Dogs (Section 1.3: Continental Pointing Dogs, Griffon type).
Standard
The AKC and FCI standards describe a medium-sized, well-balanced dog of strong build, with a noble, rustic, somewhat-houndy bearing. The defining feature is the harsh, dense, wiry double coat: a fine, dense undercoat under a hard, dry, straight outer coat about 5-6 cm long, with abundant beard, moustache, and pronounced eyebrows. Recognized colours: steel-grey with brown markings, chestnut brown, roan, and white-and-brown. Males stand 55-60 cm at the withers, females 50-55 cm.
Sources & further reading (3)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
- fci-standard — accessed 2026-04-30
Frequently asked questions
What is the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon's AKC group?
The American Kennel Club places the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon in the Sporting Group. The Sporting Group gathers pointers, setters, retrievers, and spaniels — breeds developed to assist hunters in locating, flushing, or retrieving game birds. The breed's foundation working role was as a Korthals's 1873 versatile slow-working harsh-coated pointing dog from Otterhound + Griffon + Spaniel crosses.
When was the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon officially recognized?
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1887; the United Kennel Club followed in 1948; the Federation Cynologique Internationale published the international standard (FCI No. 107) in 1954.
What is the average lifespan of a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?
Kennel-club longevity surveys place the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon's average lifespan in the 12-14 years range. The figure here represents the spread reported by the major parent-club studies and the Kennel Club (UK) purebred-dog health surveys.
