Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
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If you’re a fan of scruffy, happy dogs, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix is one to consider. They’re less well-known than some of the other “Doodles,” but they’re always ready to play and make friends easily. Plus, they usually don’t shed much. Keep reading to learn more about the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix and what you need to know about owning one.
| Height: | 17-21 inches |
| Weight: | 25-40 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 10-18 years |
| Colors: | Black, brown, brown and white |
| Suitable for: | Active families and individuals looking for an athletic, low-shedding dog |
| Temperament: | Intelligent, energetic, affectionate, social, playful, good with kids |
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a naturally scruffy breed developed as a hunting and retrieving companion. When you cross them with the charming Miniature Poodle, you’ll get the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix, which is a medium-sized dog bursting with energy and intelligence. If you’re looking for an exercise partner or playmate for your kids, they might be the mixed breed for you. However, like every dog, they aren’t a good fit for every household. Get to know the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix in this article and decide for yourself!
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Poodle Mix Characteristics
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle Mix Puppies
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix is a less common hybrid than other Poodle mixes, and you’ll likely have to buy a puppy from a breeder. There may not be a breeder in your area, either.
When researching breeders, look for one who performs all the recommended health screenings on their breeding dogs. Both Wirehaired Pointing Griffons and Poodles are prone to genetic medical issues, and responsible breeders will check for them to ensure they don’t pass on undesirable traits. Be prepared to travel to find the right breeder if necessary.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are known to be especially active as puppies, so you can expect their mixed breed to have a similar energy level. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle puppy will need daily exercise. As a cross between two highly intelligent, motivated breeds, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix must stay busy, even as a puppy.
They will benefit from early puppy training and the opportunity to stretch their mental and physical muscles. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle puppies will likely become bored and destructive without the chance to stay active and mentally stimulated. You can provide a variety of toys and activities, including safe chew objects.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons and Poodles are typically social canines that enjoy making new friends. However, early socialization, especially with other dogs, will ensure your mixed-breed puppy knows how to react and respond appropriately to unfamiliar situations.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon- Poodle Mix 🧠
With any mixed-breed dog, it can be hard to predict their temperament and intelligence accurately. However, in this case, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and Poodle share many traits in common. Both breeds are known for their intelligence, so you can expect the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix to be a smart dog. They also share a social, playful, affectionate nature.
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix is typically a friendly, active dog. They’re always ready to play, learn, and possibly cause trouble if you don’t properly redirect all that intelligence and energy.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons and Poodles are generally good with kids, so you can expect the mix between the two to be the same. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mixes have the energy and playfulness to make excellent companions for active kids. They can be a great fit for families with busy social lives if the dogs are included in the fun.
However, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix won’t do well if left alone frequently, or their exercise and training needs aren’t met. Busy families should ensure they have enough time to devote to their dogs. If not, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle may succumb to bad habits like chewing up the kid’s toys.
As with any dog, socialization is vital to ensure the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle stays calm around chaotic children. They should also be supervised around smaller kids and babies, especially because of their high energy levels.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
Both Wirehaired Pointing Griffons and Poodles generally do okay with other dogs. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix should get along with other canine friends with proper socialization and supervision. They may not enjoy dog parks or doggy play dates, but this will depend on the individual dog.
Because Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are hunting dogs by nature, they may chase cats or other small pets. Supervise the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix when interacting with cats. Typically, they shouldn’t interact with smaller exotic pets since their parents were bred for hunting.
Things to Know When Owning a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon- Poodle Mix
If you like what you’ve learned about the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix, here are more details about what to expect when owning these dogs.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
A healthy Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix will thrive on a nutritionally balanced diet. If your dog has food allergies or other medical issues, they may require a special diet. Talk to your veterinarian if that’s the case.
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix usually loves food and may become overweight if you aren’t careful. Ask your vet to help you determine how many calories your dog should eat daily. If you use treats as training rewards, subtract them from the total calories for the day.
Feeding a commercial diet is generally the easiest and the best way to ensure your dog gets the nutrition they need. If you would prefer to offer a homemade diet, ask your vet for help making sure it is balanced and includes all necessary nutrients. Without this precaution, your Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix could develop nutritional deficiencies.
Exercise 🐕
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix is not the dog for people who prefer to avoid physical activity. These energetic dogs, especially when they’re young, require spirited daily exercise. Ideally, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle should participate in activities requiring mental and physical exertion.
They may enjoy dog sports like agility or retrieving. Other suitable activities include swimming, hiking, jogging, or running off-leash in a safe area. Be warned, a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle that doesn’t get enough exercise may not be much fun to live with!
Training 🎾
While training may be necessary to develop a well-mannered Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle, it should also be an enjoyable experience for the dog. Both parent breeds are intelligent, willing, and eager to please. These traits add up to a dog that should be a pleasure to teach and an excellent pupil.
A Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle has an active mind as well as body. They want a job, and they need to be mentally stimulated. Take advantage of this work drive by teaching your dog to fetch items around the house, perform tricks, or learn advanced obedience skills.
Grooming ✂️
Poodles and Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are low-shedding breeds. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix probably won’t shed much, but they still require regular grooming. A lot depends on what type of coat they inherit.
Unless a Poodle’s coat is kept cut short, it needs almost daily brushing to avoid mats. If your Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle has this type of coat, you can expect to spend a lot of time grooming, including regular haircuts.
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has a double coat that’s meant to look unruly by nature. They typically need a good brushing about once a week. However, they may occasionally need a more intense hair removal procedure called hand stripping, typically performed by a groomer.
Health and Conditions ❤️
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are generally healthy, while Poodles are prone to several inherited health conditions. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mixes can inherit medical issues from either parent.
As mentioned, try to find a breeder who screens for genetic health conditions. Your best chance of having a healthy puppy is to start with the healthiest parents possible.
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Luxating patella
- Legg-Calve-Perthe disease
- Epilepsy
- Von Willebrand’s disease
Male vs Female
Like most dogs, male Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mixes are usually taller and heavier than females. Other than that, there usually isn’t much difference between the two sexes, especially with spayed and neutered dogs. However, male dogs tend to be slightly more energetic and sometimes dominant than females.
Unneutered male, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mixes may be more aggressive toward other dogs, especially those of the same sex. They are also more likely to perform behaviors such as urine marking. With unspayed females, you’ll have to deal with them going into heat about twice a year.
If you’re trying to decide whether a male or female Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle is best for you, these are some points to keep in mind. Many dog owners simply prefer one sex over the other, but either one can make a wonderful pet.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon- Poodle Mix
1. They Have Many Different Names!
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix is not the easiest name to say. Fortunately, this cute mixed breed also goes by several other nicknames. You may find them listed as Griff Doodles, Griffon Doodles, Griffondoodles, Griffpoos, and Griffonpoos.
2. They Are Water Lovers.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons were specifically developed as strong swimmers and water retrievers. Standard Poodles were also bred as water retrievers. Smaller Miniature Poodles still maintain their swimming ability, so you can expect the Griff Doodle to feel at home in the water.
3. They Have European Roots.
The first Griff Doodles were probably bred in the United States, but their roots can be traced to Europe. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was developed in the Netherlands and France, while Poodles are a German breed now more closely associated with France.
Final Thoughts
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix might be the perfect fit for active owners who aren’t fans of dog hair. However, this is not the dog for anyone unwilling to devote the time and energy to training and exercise. As friendly and playful as they are, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix can also be a handful if they don’t have a safe outlet for their energy and brain power. With plenty of attention, exercise, and care, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Poodle can be a wonderful, affectionate family pet.
Featured Image Credit: Left – PharmShot, Shutterstock | Right – everydoghasastory, Shutterstock
