Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. Nikki Moustaki

       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.