The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, also known as Korthals Griffon, is unlike the other griffons we speak about on this site, is not precisely a sleuth dog, but a pointing dog – as the name already gives away. Although the Korthals has a powerful nose that he will use to search for his prey, he won’t hunt it all the way and by himself, but point his hunter to where it can be found..

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, also known as Korthals Griffon

In appearance, the Korthals is very similar to the Stichelhaar (the German rough-haired pointing dog), Deutsch Drahthaar and the Český Fousek, his cousin from Bohemia. He also bears likeness to the Spinone Italiano in its version with a brown-white coat. And the Pudelpointer, although that one mainly comes in a mono-deck brown coat… And all are pointing dogs and it’s quite hard sometimes to tell them apart.

Deutsch Drahthaar, Deutsch Stichelhaar and Český Fousek: three very similar breeds

To make things even more complicated: the breed was created by a Dutch breeder in Germany but registered in France. And to make it even worse: nobody seems to know what the breed should be called! Not only is there confusion resulting from the name in different languages, but even breed clubs in one country or that use the same language are not in agreement how the name should be precisely…

The Korthals griffon was created by a Dutch breeder in Germany but registered as breed in France