though you may never show your dog, you should still read the breed standard. The breed standard tells you more than just physical specifications such as how tall your dog should be; it also describes how he should act, how he should move and what unique qualities make him the breed that he is. You are not investing money in a pure-bred dog so that you can own a dog that “sort of looks like” the breed you’re purchasing. You want a typical, handsome representative of the breed, one that all of your friends and family and people you meet out in public will recognize as the breed you’ve so carefully selected and researched. If the parents of your prospective puppy bear little or no resemblance to the dog described in the breed standard, you should keep searching!
Neck, Topline, Body: Neck—Rather long, slightly arched, no dewlap. Topline—The back is strong and firm, descending in a gentle slope from the slightly higher withers to the base of the tail. Chest—The chest must descend to the level of the elbow, with a moderate spring of rib. The chest must neither be too wide nor too narrow, but of medium width to allow freedom of movement. The loin is strong and well developed, being of medium length. The croup and rump are stoutly made with adequate length to favor speed. The tail extends from the back in a continuation of the topline. It may be carried straight or raised slightly. It is docked by one-third to one-half length.
Forequarters: Shoulders are long, with good angulation and well laid back. The forelegs are straight and vertical from the front and set well under the shoulder from the side. Pasterns are slightly sloping. Dewclaws should be removed. Feet are round, firm, with tightly closed webbed toes. Pads are thick.
Hindquarters: The thighs are long and well muscled. Angulation in balance with the front. The legs are vertical with the hocks turning neither in nor out. The stifle and hock joints are strong and well angulated. Feet as in front.
Coat: The coat is one of the distinguishing features of the breed. It is a double coat. The outer coat is medium length, straight and wiry, never curly or woolly. The harsh texture provides protection in rough cover. The obligatory undercoat consists of a fine, thick down, which provides insulation as well as water resistance. The undercoat is more or less abundant, depending upon the season, climate and hormone cycle of the dog. It is usually lighter in color. The head is furnished with a prominent mustache and eyebrows. These required features are extensions of the undercoat, which gives the Griffon a somewhat untidy appearance. The hair covering the ears is fairly short and soft, mixed with longer harsh hair from the coat. The overall feel is much less wiry than the body. The legs, both front and rear, are covered with denser, shorter and less coarse hair. The coat on the tail is the same as the body; any type of plume is prohibited. The breed should be exhibited in full body coat, not stripped short in pattern. Trimming and stripping are only allowed around the ears, top of head, cheeks and feet.
FAULTS IN PROFILE
Ewe-necked, soft topline, low tail set, generally lacking bone and substance, weak and straight behind, flat feet, long back.
Upright shoulders, high withers, kink in tail, straight behind, high in the rear.
Short neck, upright shoulders, narrow front, toes out in front, poor tail carriage, weak rear lacking correct angulation.
Short thick neck, upright and loaded shoulders, weak pasterns and flat feet, sloping topline and lacking angulation behind.
Color: Preferably steel gray with brown markings, frequently chestnut brown, or roan, white and brown; white and orange also acceptable. A uniformly brown coat, all white coat or white and orange are less desirable. A black coat disqualifies.
“Alert, friendly and intelligent” describe the Griff’s expressive eyes, and this dog’s sweet look couldn’t fit the bill better.
Gait: Although close working, the Griffon should cover ground in an efficient, tireless manner. He is a medium-speed dog with perfect coordination between front and rear legs. At a trot, both front and rear legs tend to converge toward the center line of gravity. He shows good extension both front and rear. Viewed from the side, the topline is firm and parallel to the line of motion. A smooth, powerful ground-covering ability can be seen.
Temperament: The Griffon has a quick and intelligent mind and is easily trained. He is outgoing, shows a tremendous willingness to please and is trustworthy. He makes an excellent family dog as well as a meticulous hunting companion.
Disqualifications: Nose any color other than brown. Black coat.
Approved October 8, 1991Effective November 28, 1991
FRENCH WORKING STANDARD FOR THE WIREHAIRED POINTING GRIFFON
The general running style (the manner in which a dog crosses a course, including speed and efficiency) of the Griffon is that of a galloper, with a slight rocking movement from front to rear around the center of gravity. The feline pace, supple and skimming gallop is characteristic. Its length (specific to midlines), back rectitude, slanting shoulders and angled hocks give this type of run pace, intermitting phases of trot are tolerated but not desired. The gallop must be situated in the continental style but it must be rapid, energetic and maintained.
The quartering must be daring and extended as long as the dog stays within the control of the handler. (The dog is generally working into the wind). The head must be carried at least in a straight line or higher with the back. The head is carried slightly forward and tilted down, forming an angle with the neck, called hammer bearing. However, scent working and gliding near the game must be done nose up. Tracking is not permitted, because working the nose down, except in special events is done against the wind (blood-retrieving).
In the point position, the head must be in the extension of the line of the spine. The body must be rigid, neck extended, the limbs slightly bent. The pointing style of the Griffon should be half down, but stopping dead in his tracks is acceptable. The dog may be close to or on the ground, tail rigid and motionless. When the point is taken at a distance, the dog must approach as near as possible to the game, situating and blocking it before it flushes. It is the relocation of the dog. This approach action, called “roading,” must be done in a feline style, the body lower toward the ground, the limbs bent, the nose up. Dog crouches more and more the closer he gets to the game. He may end up crawling flat on his belly for the point. This action must be done with avid determination.
*Translation provided by Jacques Carpentier, former Vice President of the Club Français du Griffon d’Arrêt a Poil Dur Korthals, courtesy of the AWPGA.
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