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  • Home
  • NEW/RENEW MEMBERSHIP
    • 2023 MEMBER APPLICATION FORM
  • AWPGA MEMBER INFO (PAID Members Only)
    • CURRENT GRIFFONNIER
    • BOARD SCHEDULE & MINUTES
    • 2023 Member Directory
    • 2023 New Members
    • GRIFFONNIER ARCHIVE
  • 2023 NATIONAL SPECIALTY
    • 2023 NAT'L SPECIALTY SCHEDULE
  • GRIFFONNIER AD SPECIAL
  • CALENDAR
  • THE AWPGA CLUB
    • CLUB FLYER
    • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • Our Foundation
    • Constitution & By-Laws
    • Code of Ethics
    • Acceptance and Use Policy
    • Copyright Policy
  • THE GRIFFON (WPG)
    • History
    • Timeline
    • FAQ
  • BREED & WORKING STANDARDS
  • HEALTH OF THE WIREHAIRED POINTING GRIFFON
    • JUDGE'S EDUCATION
    • Health & Genetics
    • Health & Pedigree Database
    • Longevity Survey
    • CHIC
    • K Locus
  • CARING FOR THE GRIFFON
    • Your New Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
    • Raising Your Puppy
    • Grooming
    • Grooming Out The Puppy Coat
  • PERFORMANCE...
    • In Agility
    • In Conformation
    • In the Field
    • In Obedience
    • In Tracking
  • KORTHALS SERIES
    • FIELD COMPETITIONS
    • WINNERS
  • AWARDS PROGRAM
    • RULES AND FORMS
    • AWARD RECIPIENTS >
      • VERSATILE GRIFFON
      • VERSATILE GRIFFON EXCELLENT
      • KORTHALS VISION AWARD
      • SHOW DOG OF THE YEAR
      • SHOW DOG HALL OF FAME
      • FIELD DOG
      • FIELD DOG OF THE YEAR
      • CAPITAINE FRACASSE CHALLENGE TROPHY
      • FIELD DOG HALL OF FAME
      • AGILITY DOG OF THE YEAR
      • AGILITY HALL OF FAME
      • NOVICE OBEDIENCE DOG OF THE YEAR
      • OPEN OBEDIENCE DOG OF THE YEAR
      • UTILITY OBEDIENCE DOG OF THE YEAR
      • OBEDIENCE DOG OF THE YEAR
      • AKC NATIONAL OWNER-HANDLED SERIES RECOGNITION AWARD
  • AWPGA JUNIORS
  • GETTING A GRIFFON
    • Things To Consider...
    • RESCUE INFO
    • AWPGA Breeder List
    • A Beginner's Guide to... >
      • Dog Shows
      • NAVHDA
      • NAVHDA/AIMS Test Rules
      • AKC SPORTS
  • AWPGA Rescue
  • GUIDELINES & APPLICATIONS
  • AKC Delegate Reports & OTHER INFO
  • Nat'l Specialty History & Archive
    • National Specialty History
    • 2022 Nat'l
    • 2021 Nat'l
    • 2019 Nat'l
    • 2018 Nat'l
  • PAST EVENTS
  • CONTACT US
AWPGA
Grooming the Griffon
Picture
The Griffon is first and foremost a serious hunting dog.  It is inappropriate to present a Griffon in the breed ring that has been sculpted, stripped, trimmed, back brushed, moussed and sprayed into looking like the proverbial “All-American Show Dog.”  That is not to say that a Griffon should not be groomed, nor that exhibitors should present a dog whose coat, body, or feet are not absolutely clean, nor in poor condition.  A great Wirehaired Pointing Griffon in excellent physical and mental condition, who is in full coat and is presented well, is a thing of beauty.  No artificial enhancement is necessary.

Coat Condition
The coat of a Griffon is an extremely important aspect of this breed and contributes greatly to both functionality and type.  A correct wire coat is designed for harsh climates and field conditions, and will not accumulate burrs or other material.  To quote the AKC Standard:
“The coat is one of the distinguishing features of the breed.  It is a double coat.  The outer coat is medium length, straight and wiry, never curly or woolly.  The harsh texture provides protection in rough cover.  The obligatory undercoat consists of a fine, thick down, which provides insulation as well as water resistance.  The undercoat is more or less abundant, depending upon the season, climate, and hormone cycle of the dog.”

A great coat – whether for pets, hunting dogs, or show - is in large part, the result of simple genetics.  However, improper nutrition, internal/external parasites, unhealthy environment, poor health, over supplementation, lack of coat care, and/or poor general physical condition of the dog can contribute to the destruction of a perfectly wonderful coat.  Unfortunately, it is sometimes possible, although unethical and absolutely against AKC regulations to alter a genetically poor coat (soft, fine, curly, off color, too long, etc.) by using artificial means – however an experienced judge will be able to determine the difference between a naturally correct coat, and an improper one which is being misrepresented. 

​The difference in grooming techniques between dogs being groomed for the breed ring, versus those who are strictly hunters or pets, is minimal.  For instance, pet owners may choose to use clippers for the top of the head, instead of hand stripping.  Be advised, though, that using clippers on a wire coat will make the hair that grows back in feel much fuzzier.  NEVER shave a Griffon's body coat using clippers.
Grooming Out Your Puppy's Coat
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