This dog breed is a good family dog and companion even with its mouthful of a name. It comes from its prowess in being a point-and-retrieve dog. Its distinct double coat gives it the capability to dry easily and has tolerance in cold weather. The outer coat is rough and medium-sized while the inner is fine and smooth.
It was bred specifically as an agile and all-terrain hunter dog by Eduard Korthals who was an avid hunter himself. It is also called a Korthals Griffon for this very reason by some or just plain Griff.
It was formerly called a Russian Setter by the American Kennel Club until it was registered officially in 1887 as a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. It was placed under the sporting dog category.
The Griff is medium-sized and a very friendly breed. It really does give off that approachable appearance, what with its mustache and eyebrows that are extensions of its coat. It can bark off at strangers but usually won’t do any more than that because of its relatively tame personality.
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The Upfront Cost of Owning a Griff
You may be able to find puppies thru highly regarded breeders from the American Kennel Club. You may find a list of breeders from the American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association (AWPGA), the parent club of AKC.
A Wirehaired Pointing Griffon price range will be from $1,000 to $1,500 for pups at Puppyfind.com. Please expect fewer paper certifications for the low-priced litter. It is always a smart decision to obtain healthy dogs so you should always ask for the health certifications and current vaccinations prior to purchase.
It is also imperative that you check your state’s legislation regarding dog licensing. Usually, the states keep the fees on the lower bracket to encourage dog owners and prevent overpopulation. License fees will vary from state to state and may range from $21 to $30 for intact dogs.
Shipping may cost you from $300 up to a whopping $2,000 and may cost more depending on the needs of your pet.
Some pet shipping companies typically include the travel crates in their fees that may range from $35 to $750 depending on the pet size. You may also look for airline-approved crates from Impact Dog Crates that will ensure your dog’s safety.
Regular Maintenance Costs
- Feeding
Their food should be appropriate for their age, size, and physical activities. A young Griff requires 3 – 4 meals distributed throughout the day. An adult Griff, on the other hand, may require 2 – 2.5 cups of dog food. It would be enough to distribute it twice for the day.
Griffs have a high level of alertness and energy as with any other sporting dogs. So a high-quality dry food with all the proper nutrients should be made available to them. It would be good to avoid giving some “people food” that are deemed poisonous for them.
A top quality dry food formulated for medium dogs can cost you around $48.99 to $62.99 for 26 to 31-lb bags.
- Grooming
Despite its double coat, this breed does not shed much and requires moderate grooming which leads to moderate grooming expenses. It needs brushing at least once a week. However, bathing should be done sparingly to maintain the unkempt appearance of the top coat. Hair stripping or combing the hair out with a regular comb should also be done occasionally.
Since it has hanging ears, special attention should be given to the cleaning of its ears. It should be done regularly to prevent infection. You may buy an ear cleaning kit for $32.50 from Mister Ben’s Original.
- Health
This breed is prone to some genetic diseases such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and also entropion which is a type of eye condition. AWPGA recommends that health screens mainly on these three diseases be done before breeding.
If your dog doesn’t have any of these health certificates, you may opt to have it tested by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). A hip and elbow dysplasia will cost you $35 per test and an eye certification for $12.
- Other Care Needs
Griffons need lots of exercises since they were bred as hunters. They won’t really fit in an apartment-style living and would be better suited for a home with big space. Kenneling is not really recommended as these dogs prefer to be with their owners and need attention. They tend to exhibit bad behavioral tendencies when left alone for hours.
Gundog Upbringing
If you are a hunter and planning to train your pointer, there are gundog training schools specifically available for sporting dogs. The training usually is divided into basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. You can choose a group class for a basic level that can start at around $650 for a month training.
You may do the training yourself as there are videos and gundog training books available as well. This is more affordable since a book will only cost you $39.95 for a one-time purchase. You would, however, exert more effort but will have more bonding time with your Griff. With this breed’s natural prey tendencies, guiding will be a breeze.
Buyer’s Guide
Without much knowledge prior to buying a Griff, they will be a handful for some people. This becomes a problem so some dogs are eventually surrendered or rescued by shelters.
You may help find a home for these Griffs thru the AWPGA Rescue center. You may also contact your local shelters near your area for adoptable Griff.
Griffs are highly adaptable so adjusting to a new home won’t be much of a problem. They are always ready to bond with their family and welcome you with their friendly aura.
