KaSar Sporting Dogs

Wirehair Pointing Griffon Temperment:

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a loyal, skilled energetic field dog. They are intelligent and make distinguished gundogs and trackers. These excellent hunting companions can point and retrieve with a deliberate style, generally staying within the hunter's gun range. Especially good for hunters on foot combining the ability to be directed by the hunter with the ability to think independently. They have an exceptionally fine sense of smell and a great passion for the hunt. Friendly, lively and active, the breed works well in marshland and upland, and is a fine pointer, flusher and water retriever. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon's coat protects him from dense brush and bad weather. Very loving it is also an excellent family pet, gentle and affectionate with children. They are very eager and willing to please and are easily trained.

AKC Breed Standard:

General Appearance
Medium sized, with a noble, square-shaped head, strong of limb, bred to cover all terrain encountered by the walking hunter. Movement showing an easy catlike gracefulness. Excels equally as a pointer in the field, or a retriever in the water. Coat is hard and coarse, never curly or woolly, with a thick undercoat of fine hair, giving an unkempt appearance. His easy trainability, devotion to family, and friendly temperament endear him to all. The nickname of "supreme gundog" is well earned.

Size, Proportion, Substance
Size--22 to 24 inches for males, 20 to 22 inches for females. Correct size is important. Oversize to be severely penalized. Proportion--Slightly longer than tall, in a ratio of 10 to 9. Height from withers to ground; length from point of shoulder to point of buttocks. The Griffon must not evolve towards a square conformation. Substance medium, reflecting his work as an all-terrain hunting dog.

Head
The head is to be in proportion to the overall dog. The skull is of medium width with equal length from nose to stop and from stop to occiput. The skull is slightly rounded on top, but from the side the muzzle and head are square. The stop and occiput are only slightly pronounced. The required abundant mustache and eyebrows contribute to the friendly expression. The eyes are large and well open, more rounded than elliptical. They have an alert, friendly, and intelligent expression. Eye color ranges in all shades of yellow and brown. Haws should not show nor should there be protruding eyes. The ears should be of medium size, lying flat and close to the head, set high, at the height of the eye line. Nose--Well open nostrils are essential. Nose color is always brown. Any other color is a disqualification. Bite scissors. Overshot or undershot bite is a serious fault.

Neck, Topline, Body
Neck-- rather long, slightly arched, no dewlap. Topline-- The back is strong and firm, descending in a gentle slope from the slightly higher withers to the base of the tail. Body-Chest-- The chest must descend to the level of the elbow, with a moderate spring of rib. The chest must neither be too wide nor too narrow, but of medium width to allow freedom of movement. The loin is strong and well developed, being of medium length. The croup and rump are stoutly made with adequate length to favor speed. The tail extends from the back in a continuation of the topline. It may be carried straight or raised slightly. It is docked by one-third to one-half length.

Forequarters
Shoulders are long, with good angulation, and well laid back. The forelegs are straight and vertical from the front and set well under the shoulder from the side. Pasterns are slightly sloping. Dewclaws should be removed. Feet are round, firm, with tightly closed webbed toes. Pads are thick.

Hindquarters
The thighs are long and well muscled. Angulation in balance with the front. The legs are vertical with the hocks turning neither in nor out. The stifle and hock joints are strong and well angulated. Feet as in front.

Coat
The coat is one of the distinguishing features of the breed. It is a double coat. The outer coat is medium length, straight and wiry, never curly or woolly. The harsh texture provides protection in rough cover. The obligatory undercoat consists of a fine, thick down, which provides insulation as well as water resistance. The undercoat is more or less abundant, depending upon the season, climate, and hormone cycle of the dog. It is usually lighter in color. The head is furnished with a prominent mustache and eyebrows. These required features are extensions of the undercoat, which gives the Griffon a somewhat untidy appearance. The hair covering the ears is fairly short and soft, mixed with longer harsh hair from the coat. The overall feel is much less wiry than the body. The legs, both front and rear, are covered with denser, shorter, and less coarse hair. The coat on the tail is the same as the body; any type of plume is prohibited. The breed should be exhibited in full body coat, not stripped short in pattern. Trimming and stripping are only allowed around the ears, top of head, cheeks and feet.

Color
Preferably steel gray with brown markings, frequently chestnut brown, or roan, white and brown; white and orange also acceptable. A uniformly brown coat, all white coat, or white and orange are less desirable. A black coat disqualifies.

Gait
Although close working, the Griffon should cover ground in an efficient, tireless manner. He is a medium-speed dog with perfect coordination between front and rear legs. At a trot, both front and rear legs tend to converge toward the center line of gravity. He shows good extension both front and rear. Viewed from the side, the topline is firm and parallel to the line of motion. A smooth, powerful ground-covering ability can be seen.

Temperament
The Griffon has a quick and intelligent mind and is easily trained. He is outgoing, shows a tremendous willingness to please and is trustworthy. He makes an excellent family dog as well as a meticulous hunting companion.

Disqualifications
Nose any color other than brown.
Black coat.

Approved October 8, 1991
Effective November 28, 1991



UKC Breed Standard:

History
This highly regarded sporting dog was perfected in Germany by a Dutchman, Edward Korthals, between 1865 and 1885. It was first known as the Korthals Griffon for this reason.

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1936.
General Appearance
Everything about the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon indicates strength and vigor. He is a medium-sized dog, somewhat longer than tall in proportion. He has a very intelligent air. His characteristic outer coat is harsh like the bristles of a wild boar. His unkempt appearance is due to his thick, soft undercoat.
Characteristics
This breed has a biddable, affectionate nature, which makes it suitable as a family pet and guardian as well as its original purpose of a versatile hunting dog.

Head
The long head is furnished with a harsh coat, forming a mustache and eyebrows which surmount, but do not cover, the eyes.

SKULL - Long and not too wide. Stop is moderate.

MUZZLE - Long and square, the same length as the skull. Toplines of skull and muzzle lie in parallel planes.

TEETH - A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite.

EYES - Large and somewhat rounded. Dark yellow or brown in color, with an intelligent expression.

NOSE - The nose is always brown.

EARS - Medium size, flat, set on a line from the corner of the eye and well covered with both long and short hair.
Neck
The neck is moderately long and free of dewlap.
Forequarters
The shoulders are long and sloping.

FORELEGS - The very straight, muscular forelegs are well-furnished with thick hair. Dewclaws may be removed.
Body
Chest is rather deep, but not too wide. Ribs are moderately sprung. Back is straight and strong, and the topline slopes very gently from withers to tail. Loin and croup are strong and not too short.
Hindquarters
Well muscled with angulation that balances with the forequarter.

- Thighs long and well muscled, good angulation at the hock joint. Legs are well furnished with thick hair.
Feet
Round and tight, with well arched toes.
Tail
The tail is generally docked by a third. It is carried horizontally or with the tip slightly raised, and is furnished with a hard coat, but is without plume.
Coat
Double. The outer coat is hard, dry and stiff. The undercoat is thick and downy.
Color
Steel gray with liver patches, solid liver, liver roan, liver and white, orange and white.
Height
Height range for males is 21½ to 23½ inches. Height range for females is 19½ to 21½ inches.
Eliminating Fault
(An Eliminating Fault is a Fault serious enough that it eliminates the dog from obtaining any awards in a conformation event.)
Coat: Curly or wooly outer coat.

Disqualifications
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Black coat or nose color. Albinism.