Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs German Wirehaired Pointer: Differences (With Pictures)

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and German Wirehaired Pointer are closely related dogs. In fact, the German Wirehaired Pointer was developed in part by cross-breeding Wirehaired Pointing Griffons with other griffon-type dogs to create an all-purpose gundog. Naturally, these dogs share many traits, including their wiry coats, keen intelligence, hardworking attitude, and fierce loyalty.

Still, there are some differences between the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and the German Wirehaired Pointer. Find out more about the subtleties between these breeds to determine which is the right choice for your family.

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Overview

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon goes by several names, including the Korthals Griffon and the Griffon d’arret a poil dur Korthals for its Dutch breed founder, Eduard Karel Korthals. He was credited with the breed in 1873 and strived to create the ultimate versatile gun dog with resilience, vigor, and loyalty. They are still somewhat rare in the US, Canada, and the UK, despite long-standing recognition from the Federation Cynologique Internationale.

The Korthals Griffon is a strong, medium-sized dog with a wiry outer coat and soft undercoat that’s designed to keep them comfortable in and around water. The coat is usually gray with brown markings, though the dog may come in chestnut brown, brown and white, roan, and white and orange. They have brown noses, a large head, large, round eyes, a beard, and a well-proportioned and muscular body. The tail may be docked.

Personality / Character

The Wirehaired Pointed Griffon is intelligent and has a soft temperament and desire to please. They’re alert and energetic, enjoy being around their owners, and take on work eagerly. These are honest, hardworking, no-fuss dogs.

Exercise

Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are social dogs that need a lot of attention and exercise. They are not good dogs to leave to their own devices for long periods during the day, especially as puppies. They require a lot of mental and physical stimulation throughout the day, which is best suited for an owner who can include this dog in their regular routines.

Training

The Wirehaired Pointed Griffon has the same qualities as its ancestors, including a high degree of trainability. They are deliberate and tireless workers with a strong desire to please, but it’s important to train them with gentleness. Positive and consistent training is best suited for this dog’s soft nature.

Health & Care

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is generally healthy with its well-preserved breeding, but it’s important to work with breeders who conduct health and genetic screenings for hip dysplasia and eye, heart, elbow, and thyroid conditions that may appear in the breed.

Suitable For:

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a hardworking, low-shedding, and quick-witted dog that’s all about workmanship. These sporting dogs work best for owners who are home a lot of the day or willing to take dogs along with them during daily activities. They require a lot of exercise and play, which can be more practical with a backyard or more rural environment than in an urban apartment.

German Wirehaired Pointer Overview

The German Wirehaired Pointer is a griffon-type dog that was developed in the 19th century in Germany for versatile hunting needs. After some development with crossing breeds like the German Shorthaired Pointer, the German Roughhaired Pointer, and the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, the dog became the leading gun dog in Germany in the late 20th century.

The dog closely resembles the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon with a well-muscled, medium-to-large body, and a sturdy build. It has a weather-resistant, wire-like coat and beard with a thick undercoat and comes in black and white, liver and white, or just liver.

Personality / Character

The German Wirehaired Pointer is an affectionate, lively, active, and determined dog. They’re eager to learn and exceptionally loyal, but they need a job to do. These dogs tend to do well with family and familiar people, but they can be a little aloof with strangers. Bred to be a versatile gun dog, German Wirehaired Pointers are good at tracking, pointing, retrieving, and other canine jobs.

Exercise

German Wirehaired Pointers are high-energy sporting dogs who require a lot of mental and physical stimulation. They should have long walks and play sessions during the day to stay happy and healthy. These dogs benefit from more challenging work as well, such as obedience, tracking, rally, agility, or hunting.

Training

Because of their high intelligence and stubborn streak, German Wirehaired Pointers require consistent training and early socialization to become well-mannered adults. They’re smart, talented, athletic, and versatile, so they excel in a variety of different canine sports and activities. They are bred to be loyal, so these are not dogs that can be left alone for long periods with no human contact.

Health & Care

German Wirehaired Pointers are generally healthy dogs, but they do have a few conditions that run in the breed. It’s important to work with a breeder who tests for hip, elbow, eye, heart, and thyroid conditions, which can be common in the breed.

Suitable For:

The German Wirehaired Pointer is a sporty gundog that thrives on outdoor activity. Though they can be relaxed family companions, it’s important for German Wirehaired Pointers to have a lot of exercise and play time to stave off boredom and keep them healthy. These dogs will not be happy as couch potatoes and need time to enjoy the great outdoors, so you have to commit to taking them to parks or playing in your backyard.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

If you have lots of space, an active lifestyle, and strong training experience, either the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon or the German Wirehaired Pointer could be a good choice for your home. These dogs are similar in many ways, including their hunting and tracking capabilities, intelligence, trainability, and loyalty. That said, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a bit smaller, harder to find among the two, and a no-nonsense working companion. While both dogs need structure and positive training, the German Wirehaired Pointer is on the larger side and has a strong stubborn streak that requires consistent training to curb willful behaviors.

See Also:

• Pudelpointer vs. German Wirehaired Pointer: The Differences (with Pictures)
• German Wirehaired Pointer vs German Shorthaired Pointer: Differences (With Pictures)

---

Featured Image Credit: (L) PharmShot, Shutterstock | (R) Anna Krivitskaya, Shutterstock