Wirehaired Pointing Griffons

Eagle

WKR
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
1,220
Location
Western Kentucky
Anybody on Rokslide own one of these? Really interested in this breed with the upcoming move to Denver, CO. Seems like the perfect dog for trail running, backpacking and then upland hunting during the fall/winter.
 
Are you interested in versatile breed because you intend to hunt both waterfowl and upland birds? Also, do you want a dog that points birds?

If you answer yes to both of those questions, I think a griffon is your best option.

If you don't care about hunting over a pointing dog as much as you just want a dog that will find you birds like pheasant and grouse and will retrieve waterfowl - a lab would be a good option for Colorado.

A versatile beeed is typically going to not run as fast and wide as other pointing dogs (setters, britts, pointers, etc.), and I think that's okay for Colorado. I say that because if you're moving to the Denver area, you're going to be challenged to find a place you can let your dog run off leash - let alone train. Also, unless you're hunting scaled quail, most of the upland hunting in Colorado is on smaller walk-in properties or hunting for grouse in the mountains. A closer working dog won't put you at a disadvantage in those situations and you won't have to rein in your dog as much. *A good dog that runs big will typically hunt tighter cover more slowly and thoroughly, but that's something they tend to learn and adjust to over time.

If you hunted bigger properties where a dog that runs fast and wide is an advantage and you want a dog that has more point in it - I'd go with a pointing breed specifically.

Also, a pointing breed is going to be inheritantly less interested in fur (skunks, rabbits, cats, etc.) than a versatile breed. A dog that wants to hunt anything - like versatile breeds are genetically bred to do - are more apt to get distracted by fur when there aren't plentiful birds. And again, Colorado isn't a great upland state.

In regards to blood tracking, unless Colorado has changed the laws, you cannot use a dog for big game recovery.

Another thing to consider is that if you want a dog you can take on trails around the area, you're going to want a very social temperament in your dog. You will be sharing the trails with A LOT of other people and dogs and you don't want a dog that is sharp. A griffon is typically going to have a lot more social disposition than a Wirehair or some other versatile breeds.

Anyway, just some points to consider.
 
Are you interested in versatile breed because you intend to hunt both waterfowl and upland birds? Also, do you want a dog that points birds?

If you answer yes to both of those questions, I think a griffon is your best option.

If you don't care about hunting over a pointing dog as much as you just want a dog that will find you birds like pheasant and grouse and will retrieve waterfowl - a lab would be a good option for Colorado.

A versatile beeed is typically going to not run as fast and wide as other pointing dogs (setters, britts, pointers, etc.), and I think that's okay for Colorado. I say that because if you're moving to the Denver area, you're going to be challenged to find a place you can let your dog run off leash - let alone train. Also, unless you're hunting scaled quail, most of the upland hunting in Colorado is on smaller walk-in properties or hunting for grouse in the mountains. A closer working dog won't put you at a disadvantage in those situations and you won't have to rein in your dog as much. *A good dog that runs big will typically hunt tighter cover more slowly and thoroughly, but that's something they tend to learn and adjust to over time.

If you hunted bigger properties where a dog that runs fast and wide is an advantage and you want a dog that has more point in it - I'd go with a pointing breed specifically.

Also, a pointing breed is going to be inheritantly less interested in fur (skunks, rabbits, cats, etc.) than a versatile breed. A dog that wants to hunt anything - like versatile breeds are genetically bred to do - are more apt to get distracted by fur when there aren't plentiful birds. And again, Colorado isn't a great upland state.

In regards to blood tracking, unless Colorado has changed the laws, you cannot use a dog for big game recovery.

Another thing to consider is that if you want a dog you can take on trails around the area, you're going to want a very social temperament in your dog. You will be sharing the trails with A LOT of other people and dogs and you don't want a dog that is sharp. A griffon is typically going to have a lot more social disposition than a Wirehair or some other versatile breeds.

Anyway, just some points to consider.

Thanks for the all the info. I prefer close working pointing breeds after years of hunting quail in Kentucky. Never enjoyed hunting behind far ranging dogs, and that's part of the reason the WPG seems perfect for my needs. I can live with a dog that has a strong prey drive that I have to reign in to only go after birds. No real plans to hunt waterfowl, but upland and pointing are absolutely required.
 
Thanks for the all the info. I prefer close working pointing breeds after years of hunting quail in Kentucky. Never enjoyed hunting behind far ranging dogs, and that's part of the reason the WPG seems perfect for my needs. I can live with a dog that has a strong prey drive that I have to reign in to only go after birds. No real plans to hunt waterfowl, but upland and pointing are absolutely required.

Sounds like you know what you want and I'd agree with you, a WPG would be a great dog for you.
 
Anybody on Rokslide own one of these? Really interested in this breed with the upcoming move to Denver, CO. Seems like the perfect dog for trail running, backpacking and then upland hunting during the fall/winter.

Not trying to start a battle but if your heart is not set on a Griffon maybe look into a Small Munsterlander.They are in the same sporting breed class as griffon and excel at all characteristics you listed.

This is my Duncan


He works in close and is a Chukar hunting machine,great family dog also!
Size for this breed is 37-55lbs so they are smaller than a griffon.
 
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Not trying to start a battle but if your heart is not set on a Griffon maybe look into a Small Munsterlander.They are in the same sporting breed class as griffon and excel at all characteristics you listed.

This is my Duncan


He works in close and is a Chukar hunting machine,great family dog also!
Size for this breed is 37-55lbs so they are smaller than a griffon.

I'll check them out! At first glance they remind me a lot of my english setter that we recently lost to cancer, so may be tougher for the wife to be ok with a dog that favors the look of a setter so much.
 
Not trying to start a battle but if your heart is not set on a Griffon maybe look into a Small Munsterlander.They are in the same sporting breed class as griffon and excel at all characteristics you listed.

This is my Duncan


He works in close and is a Chukar hunting machine,great family dog also!
Size for this breed is 37-55lbs so they are smaller than a griffon.
Does your dog shed a lot? My wife is pretty much over dogs since my lab sheds like crazy, so I've been looking into finding a dog that sheds less...

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Muntsterlanders are German Spaniels,I guess they do look a little like Setters but are smaller and thicker,they also come in a few color phases. Very for your loss.

This is the dad of my next pup that I get in two months!
 
I'll check them out! At first glance they remind me a lot of my english setter that we recently lost to cancer, so may be tougher for the wife to be ok with a dog that favors the look of a setter so much.

Sorry about your setter!

I run setters and had a GWP... Didn't know you were as versed as you are in dogs or I wouldn't have added so much to my post that you probably already considered or knew about!
 
Sorry about your setter!

I run setters and had a GWP... Didn't know you were as versed as you are in dogs or I wouldn't have added so much to my post that you probably already considered or knew about!

No worries, I knew it came from a good place!
 
I had a half wirehair half griffon he was good for birds, sheds, family and also I would take him big game hunting for a companion/protection great dog until wolves killed him. My cousin has a full griffon he's a good dog, hunt close. I currently have a wirehair I use for everything. I think a griffon would suit your needs well.
 
Look into some of the GWP as well. You can do just about anything with them and they are great trail runners. I have a GWP that's hyper as shit but will hunt anything all day. They're built for trail running. They do shed a fair amount. His temperament is great other than having a little too much energy. I have a 3 year old and an 11 month old that have grown up playing and climbing all over him.
 
I have a wpg. Love him. We will see how he hunts. Bought him from Snake River griffons in Idaho.
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Not sure how crazy you want to get, but have you looked into Deutsch Drahthaars?

From what I can find it's essentially a GWP that has been bred to go after all sorts of game rather than just game birds? I'd prefer to use the dog for game birds, and potentially shed hunting, but that's really it, so not sure the extra testing required to be classified as a drahthaar is necessary for my needs/plans. The WPG being hypoallergenic is a plus as well due to some of my extended family having dog allergies.
 
O got my dog a year ago he was 6 months old.He has been an awesome pet and excellent hunting dog.Shedding is minimal.
 
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