Judging the WIREHAIRED POINTING GRIFFON By Mary Kiblan
I t is a Sporting Breed that has languished in the shadows of the “big running dogs” for years. Now it is a breed newly discov- ered in the fi eld and in the home. And it is a breed poised on the edge of a popularity explosion. Th e Wirehaired Pointing Gri ff on was bred to be versatile—and he is. He was bred to hunt any terrain for a wide variety of game in all weathers. He has the capa- bility to track a wounded bird in the water because of his keen nose and his strength as a swimmer. And because vast, open hunt- ing grounds are becoming more scarce, his style—which is gun range—is becom- ing increasingly attractive to the modern day hunter. Th e Gri ff on has the capacity to go into heavy cover and retrieve a bird where other breeds cannot. Th is dog is also a “clean-up man”. He will often track and fi nd wounded game when the larger rang- ing dogs do not. When you take your fi rst look at this dog in the ring, you should see the symme- try and balance that spell power. You may also see a variety of type. Remember, this is a relatively new breed in this country; the Parent Club AWPGA did not acquire AKC recognition until 1990. Prior to that there was a Wirehaired Pointing Gri ff on Club in the US but it outcrossed dogs and was not recognized by the AKC. In the last few years, the American breeders have produced some very com- petitive, very nice dogs—included in which are several Best in Show winners. At our National Specialties almost every dog in the Best of Breed ring has at least two legs on an AKC, NAVHDA or NASTRA Perfor- mance title in addition to its Champion- ship. Th e Judges are “wowed” by this. Not very many breeds can make that claim. Th is is a medium-sized breed. Th ere are two hallmarks of the WPG. One is size and proportion, the other is coat.
Proportion is very important. Th e Gri ff is slightly longer than tall: as 10 is to 9. Height in the bitches is 20"-22" and the males 22"-24". As you can see, this is not a big dog, but you must see good substance. Oversize is to be severally penalized. Th e coat is a double coat. Fine, dense undercoat and wiry outercoat. Th e coat lays fl at and is never curly or wooly. It is of medium length. When you put your hands on the body, the coat should feel harsh. Th e hair on the head and ears is an exten- sion of the undercoat with some of the feel of the outer coat. In Europe the head is commonly stripped somewhat close leav- ing abundant eyebrows and moustache. You will see this in this country and it is entirely permissible. Th e Standard says “unkempt look” but this does not mean unclean, uncombed and unbrushed! Th is is a wire coat and as such requires mainte- nance. Th e coat should be rotated or rolled to keep it healthy; this can sometimes be done with just a fi ne comb, sometimes with stripping. Th e Gri ff on is not to be stripped in a pattern; but neither should it look neglected. Th e judge should see and feel a healthy, harsh coat of medium length. It should be noted that when judging the WPG you will frequently see a less than ideal coat in your puppy classes. An
old adage in this breed is that it can take three years before the correct coat devel- ops. In a puppy one should not see a curly or woolly coat, but may see a rather soft coat. Th is should not be penalized. Th is coat will change over time. Th is may be one area in the Gri ff on ring where it is appropriate for a judge to ask a dog’s age. Best areas to check coat texture are over the loin, shoulders and tail. Th e dark, solid patches are not appropriate as those areas are actually undercoat. Th e Gri ff on has a noble head. Viewed from the side it is square; not rectangu- lar! Th e distance from the occiput to the medium stop is the same as from the stop to the end of the nose. Viewed from the front the head is moderately broad and the top of the skull is slightly rounded. Th is head must not have a narrow look. Th e Gri ff on has a round eye unlike the GWP which is more elliptical. Th is gives the Gri ff on an owlish look. Th e eyes should not protrude nor should haws show. Th e eyes of a Gri ff on should be visible. Th is is not a Bouvier head! Eye color ranges from yellow to any shade of brown. Nose is any shade of brown. A black nose or black coats are disqualifying faults. Th e bite is scissor. Undershot or over- shot mouths are to be severally penalized.
A versatile hunter excelling in both upland game and waterfowl.
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