Brief History

The griffon is an international breed of dog whose earliest origins are lost in the mist of antiquity. Some scholars suggest that our beloved “Griffs” were used by the Romans as companions. Fortunately, its most recent history is complete and well documented.

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffons – affectionately called “Griffs” – were developed by a Dutch sportsman and hunter, Edward Karel Korthals, who lived from 1851 to 1896. The strain Korthal developed was a coarsely wirehaired dog of medium size with excellent hunting ability. He systematically narrowed his breeding stock down to eight specimens that bred true and can be said to be responsible for the foundation of this international breed. The first imported Griffons appeared in the US in 1887. The first Griffon to be registered by the AKC was also in 1887 and was registered as a Russian Setter.

Temperament

Griffs are People dogs that thrive on human companionship. They have an intense need to be near their owners. Because of this trait, your Griff will be happiest when kept in the house as a member of your family. Dogs kept in kennels or fenced yards need a significant amount of people time each day in order to remain emotionally healthy. Isolation from humans can quickly ruin a Griff’s personality. Griffs that have been properly socialized make ideal family dogs. They are gentle guardians of small children and enthusiastic playmates of older children and adults. Griffs can be reserved with strangers and be quite protective of their family and property. Taking your dog to training classes and introducing him to a wide variety of people and places will help them develop appropriate social behavior.

Griffon as a Field Dog

Griffons are well known as versatile gun dogs, excelling in all aspects of hunting upland game birds and waterfowl. Their natural hunting ability allow them to track, point, mark falls, and retrieve on land and in the water. These dogs are not specialists: they are all-terrain dogs for hunters who desire flexibility and need multipurpose dogs to assist them in the field. Griffs are close working dogs for the foot hunter. They have natural hunting instinct and require only minimal formal training. They are usually persistent and methodical in their hunting pattern. Griffs are very good swimmers and lover the water. Their coat [provides protection from the elements. Griffs have affectionately been called the 4-wheel drive of hunting dogs, going in briars and underbrush with no hesitation.

Griffon as a Show Dog

The great beauty of this breed is that it is to be shown in its natural state. A Griffon requires only slight alteration to his coat. Trimming and stripping are allowed only around the ears, top of head, cheeks and feet. The intelligent Griff trains easily for the show ring. His ever-present desire to please enables him to quickly understand the intricacies of show ring procedure. A well-bred Griffon, properly socialized, is steady in temperament and is unflappable with the bustling show antics going on around him.

Griffon as a Performance Dog

The Griffon is a very cooperative dog to train and handle. Griffons have achieved many of AKC’s advanced obedience titles as well as tracking titles, agility titles, and of course, field titles. Griffons are very athletic dogs and commonly enjoy a long working life, often staying healthy and active into their teens.