The WIREHAIRED POINTING GRIFFON
DYANE BALDWIN
German Wirehaired Pointer with more hair in regard to the amount of leg to height. This creates an outline that is distinctly Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. LG: The most misunderstood aspect of this breed is the idea that they don’t need a job to be good friends and compan- ions to their families. They make terrific family members, but if they don’t have a job, they will create one... such as gnawing on the family’s Oriental rug, or eliminating the need for a garbage disposal. They are easily bored and while they aren’t super busy, they need to be engaged physically and mentally. A tired Griff and a well-trained Griff is a great member of a household. From a judging standpoint, the most misunderstood aspect of this breed is that “bigger is better”. If one takes into consideration the function of this breed and the rationale for its devel- opment, it is obvious that an over sized dog is incorrect and, in my opinion, should not be rewarded. 2. What about him makes him stand out in the group ring? DB: For me in the group ring it is the honesty of the breed-purposeful conformation, sound movement that is not “fancy” and practical coat. They look like working sporting dogs. LG: This is a question I always have mixed feelings about. A Griff, specifically intended to be moderate in every aspect, probably shouldn’t stand out in the Group, but somehow it does. In a Group which encompasses so many striking breeds, to me those aspects of the breed which bring it to group attention are its wonderful shag- giness, balance and movement. It can be an intensely happy dog in the ring and that, as with any breed, can single it out. A not-overly groomed, well-moving, coarse- coated shaggy beast is a joy to behold, at least for me. I believe that the Griff’s superior hunting instincts serve him well as a pet only with an active and engaging family (there’s that word engage again). By engaging I mean allowing the dog to use its natural gifts, if not for hunt- ing, then for analogous activities. For example, Griffs are amazing trackers... enter them in tracking events. Or let
I live in Pennsylvania on 14 acres. My interests outside of dogs are gardening and traveling. I started in dogs in 1977 (38 years) and I started judging in 1999. My dogs (Chesapeake Bay Retrievers) were always expected to be good hunters and I take that view in my judging of all the Sporting breeds.
LINDA GAGNON I live in Massachusetts with my husband, a trainer and hunt test judge, on 27 acres, mostly wooded, with acreage cleared and fenced for dogs to run and “ex”. Outside of dogs, I do... dogs! I’m retired and spend much of my free time involved in dog club activities: chair a show, assistant chair another and serve on boards of three kennel clubs. Before retirement I was a Senior Counselor in Vocational Rehabilitation for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I’ve been showing dogs since 1973... help! I started with Dandie Dinmonts and my husband and I obtained our first Griff in 1992. She was shown to a Championship, was hunted to a title and bred very suc- cessfully. That was our beginning. So, I’ve been showing for 42 years (God, am I really that old? Do I look that old?). I’ve only been judging for four years and currently judge Griffs and Dandies, with applications for more breeds “coming soon to a dog show near you”. 1. What is the most misunderstood aspect of this fasci- nating breed? DB: The most misunderstood is what is correct size and proportion. There is a tendency to see this breed judged ignoring its size and that it is not to look like a
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