Griffons excel in both field and show, maintaining versatility with success in AKC, NAVHDA, and performance events.
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This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, May 2013 issue.
While some Sporting Dog breeds and breed clubs have struggled with the split of their breed into the “field” versus “show” lines, the American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association (AWPGA) and its members have worked hard to keep their breed true to the following two breed club mission statements:
The AWPGA has embraced the description of the Griffon as a “Versatile Hunting Dog.” Not only a field dog that hunts game, but he is also effective in hunt tests, tracking, obedience, show, and agility. In the United States, largely due to the efforts of the AWPGA, many Wirehaired Pointing Griffons have demonstrated their competitive merit by earning obedience, agility, field, hunt, and show titles, including NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association) Versatile Champion, National Shoot to Retrieve Association Champion, AKC Master Hunter, and AKC Best in Show.
The AWPGA celebrates the achievements of their members’ Griffons in all venues in their quarterly magazine, The Griffonnier. The AWPGA also holds an annual banquet in conjunction with their National Specialty. Awards and Recognition are given to club members from around the US and Canada for their achievements in the show ring, the field, performance, and health.
The Korthals Cup is awarded to a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon who is an AKC Bench Champion of record and earns the greatest number of points in AKC, NAVHDA, and/or Performance events in a given calendar year. This particular award celebrates the dual role of AKC Bench Champion and outstanding field performance.
In 2012, the inaugural Korthals Cup competition was held in conjunction with the club’s National Specialty. Entry requirements were limited to Griffons that had top field titles such as AKC Master Hunter, CKC Field Dog Excellent, NAVHDA Versatile Champions, Utility I and II Prized dogs. This competitive event encompassed both field and water work. The event drew in some of the best field-tested dogs in the country, many of them also competing in the show ring.
Eight of the participating dogs were AKC and/or CKC Bench Champions, and one was an AKC Grand Champion. The 2012 National Specialty saw the top-winning show dogs all carrying hunting titles, which included AKC Junior, Senior, and Master Hunters, along with multiple NAVHDA prized dogs. The winners included Best of Breed, Best of Opposite Sex, Select Dog/Bitch, and Award of Merit.
When you combine the Korthals Cup with the results of the National Specialty itself, one can see that the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is truly a breed that keeps its original purpose at the forefront with dedicated owners willing to compete with their dogs in all venues.
There are many excellent examples of how club members have worked with dedication to promote top winning dogs in the field, the ring, and in our breeding programs.
One such example is AM/CAN CH Duchasseur Bayou CGN, who was a Champion in 2008, 2010, and 2011. Bayou produced many AKC and CKC bench Champions, including top-ranked show dogs. He has also produced more than 56 NAVHDA Natural Ability Prized pups, 2 Utility Prep Prized dogs, and 12 Utility Prized dogs, including 5 with Prize I’s. Bayou has sired 7 litters of puppies that earned a NAVHDA Breeder’s Award for Natural Ability.
Bayou, himself, is a CKC multiple group placing, RBIS Winner, and a National Championship and 2005 WinOFST Best in Show at the AWPGA National Specialty. In 2009, he was awarded Best Stud Dog at the National Specialty. In 2011, Bayou was the #1 Griffon Sporting Dog in the United States, earning top honors at various prestigious events, including the AQGAPD Poule Korthals winner.
The 2012 AWPGA Korthals Cup winner was CH Duchasseur Crownpoint JHR, who also competed in the CKC and placed in several field trials in Canada. She has earned multiple placements in Field Trials and multiple titles in Obedience. Cru also competes in the show ring, always owner-handled, and is a multiple Best of Breed winner. She even took a CKC Best Puppy in Sporting Group.
This past year, all five of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffons earning Westminster invitations had hunting titles—the only Sporting Dog breed to achieve this. Among these, GCH Flatbrook’s Heir About Him MH NA III earned multiple top honors, including Best of Breed at the 2012 Eukanuba National Championship. He also completed the AKC Senior and Master Hunter titles in 2011.
The success of these Wirehaired Pointing Griffons reflects the long tradition of dual-purpose dogs in the breed, capable of excelling both in the field and the show ring. Since 1992, two AKC Master Hunters, three AKC Senior Hunters, and eight AKC Junior Hunters have won Best of Breed honors at Westminster Kennel Club shows.
These Griffons, excelling in both field trials and conformation events, are more common than rare. The AWPGA continues to encourage members to promote their dogs across all venues. By doing so, we hope the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon will continue to embody both the original purpose and physical attributes outlined in our Breed Standard—medium-sized, with a noble, square-shaped head, strong limbs, and the ability to cover all terrains encountered by a walking hunter.
The movement of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon shows an easy, catlike gracefulness. It excels equally as a pointer in the field or a retriever in the water. The coat is hard and coarse, never curly or woolly, with a thick undercoat of fine hair, giving it an unkempt appearance. Its easy trainability, devotion to family, and friendly temperament make it a beloved companion.
The nickname of “supreme gundog” is well-earned. We continue to celebrate and promote our wonderful, versatile dogs and the work we do to maintain the breed’s excellence.
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