Wild-boar bristles: this is the FCI standard’s comparison for the Wire-haired Pointing Griffon’s coat. Stroke its back and you feel a harsh, coarse outer coat with a fine, dense undercoat beneath. Bushy eyebrows, beard and moustache give the face an expression of strength and determination, according to the standard.
| FCI | Group 7 (Pointing Dogs), Section 1.3 Continental Pointing Dogs, Griffon type, Standard No. 107, with working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | France |
| Height at the withers | Males approx. 55 to 60 cm, females approx. 50 to 55 cm |
| Weight | Not specified in the FCI standard |
| Life expectancy | No reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | Harsh and coarse, feeling like wild-boar bristles, never curly or woolly; fine, dense undercoat; pronounced beard, moustache and eyebrows |
| Colours according to the standard | Preferably steel grey with chestnut patches or solid chestnut, often mixed or ticked with white hairs; white with chestnut and white with orange equally acceptable |
An old bird dog, reshaped
The standard says even Xenophon mentioned it, and as a bird dog it was found throughout Europe under many names. It acquired its present form in the second half of the 19th century: E. K. Korthals renewed the breed through inbreeding, selection and training, without introducing outside blood. National breed clubs still follow his principles. The FCI lists France as the country of origin, and the breed has had definitive recognition since December 1954. To compare wire-haired pointing dogs, the encyclopedia also includes the German Wire-haired Pointer (Deutsch Drahthaar) and the Spinone Italiano.
Gentle, proud and watchful at home
The standard portrays a gentle, proud dog and an excellent hunter. It is deeply attached to its person and its territory, which it guards carefully, and is considered very gentle with children. In everyday life, that means visitors are announced, strangers are assessed first, and a dependable bond with one person matters more than a large circle of friends.
Galloping in the field, stalking like a cat
It was bred as a versatile pointing dog, also able to track wounded game along a blood trail. When hunting, it gallops with intervals of long-striding trot, and stalks in a catlike manner. Without hunting work, it needs alternatives that challenge its nose and stamina: tracking, laid scent trails, retrieving from water and several hours of exercise each day.
Bristles, beard and tail
The harsh coat is robust but needs care. Brush thoroughly once a week, occasionally pluck out dead hair rather than clipping to retain its texture, and clean the beard after meals. According to the standard, the tail is usually docked by a third or a quarter; where this is prohibited, it is carried naturally long, horizontally with a slightly raised tip. In Germany, docking is generally prohibited under Section 6 of the German Animal Welfare Act. Exceptions apply only to individual cases.
Health: robust reputation, few figures
We found no reliable studies of lifespan or typical diseases in this breed. Although the Wire-haired Pointing Griffon appears in the breed list in the large British longevity study by McMillan and colleagues, it was not analysed (McMillan et al. 2024). The standard requires only functionally and clinically healthy dogs to be used for breeding. Before reserving a puppy, ask to see the parents’ hip and elbow X-rays and eye examination results.
It is in good hands with
Hunters who work a pointing dog in the field, in water and on wounded-game trails, and very active people committed to serious scent work. Families with children can suit it if someone takes responsibility for consistent training.
Life becomes difficult
With little time, nowhere for long walks and no willingness to guide hunting instincts and watchfulness. Anyone wanting a dog that immediately greets every visitor with delight should choose another breed.
Explore whether a wire-haired hunting dog fits your everyday life with the breed quiz; our book takes the question further: “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). If a puppy is joining the household, the free Puppy Starter Pack helps through the first weeks. To celebrate that beard on your wall, explore dog portraits from your photo or your dog as a downloadable digital artwork.
Further reading
- Weimaraner: the beautiful hunting dog that never clocks off
- Autumn shedding in dogs and cats: what is normal and what is not
- The first 30 days with a puppy: a plan for weeks 1 to 4
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 107 Griffon d'arrêt à poil dur Korthals (Französischer rauhhaariger Vorstehhund) (fci.be, German version dated 05.09.2023, valid standard published 01.08.2023); McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024.
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