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Caring for the Coat of a Wirehaired
Pointing Griffon

Not much is written about grooming the Griffon. When I got my first Griffon I couldn't find anything on how to care for this unique coat. The following recommendations are adapted from talking to Professional Groomers, Handlers, and long time Breeders. I have adjusted their techniques to suit me, my dogs and our life-style. I hope you will find this information helpful:

1. Weekly brushing with a small wire-toothed brush called a Slicker will help remove dead hair.

2. Bathing can be done as you see necessary. Be sure to brush the dog out well before shampooing. Use a good wirecoat shampoo and rinse well.

3. Inside of the ears should be cleaned weekly and the hair in the ear needs to be removed from time to time. Use your fingers to carefully to remove the hair. Use a tool like tweezers, can cause injury to the ear. The long discolored and dead hair on the outside of the flap should be removed by stripping. The hair growing down from the edge of the leather can be trimmed with scissors to about 1/4 inch from the leather. This does take a little getting use to, be careful not to cut the ear leather. I hold the hair between my fingers as a guard and guide for the scissors. Ear care is very important with this breed, like all flap-eared dogs they are prone to ear infections.

4. Stripping is the removal of dead hair by hand: This is done on a need to basis, when the coat is ready to change, it is easily pulled out. The more frequently you pull the coat, the coarser it will become. Scissoring or using electric clippers will soften the coat, some say it will lighten the color after long term use of clippers.
   

The body coat should be hand stripped or cleaned up with a stripping knife seasonally if you are not showing the dog.

In getting my Griffons ready for the show ring I strip the top of the head from the eyebrows back and down the neck blending it into the body coat on the back, shoulders and chest. The dead hair on the legs is stripped. This can be achieved by hand stripping or using a knife. The feet are tidied, to show the tight spoon-shaped feet. All the time keeping in mind the dog should have a rough unkempt appearance. But this does not dirt and grime are acceptable, so cleaning and stripping out the dead hair is the preferred way to show the dog.
5. Nails will need to be trimmed, you can use clippers or an electric Dremel with a sandpaper wheel. My dogs prefer the Dremel and I find I don't have to worry about cutting too much off and resultant bleeding. It does take the dogs a little time to get used to the noise.
6. Griffons have straggly hairs that grow under the tail called the Plume. These hairs should be cut off with scissors, the dog is not to have a plume.
7. You may also wish to trim around the bottom of the paws, to keep your floors from becoming all muddy.
8. Be sure to go over your dog when you get home from hunting, checking for cuts, burrs, ticks etc. If this is done after each trip afield, you will avoid health problems and vet bills down the road.

If you have any specific grooming questions write to me at: sflinn@telusplanet.net and I will try to answer your questions.

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