What do you get when you cross the intelligence and stamina of a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon with the regal elegance of a Poodle? A Griff Doodle!
The Griffon Doodle is a reasonably rare designer breed that’s playful, loyal, and incredibly easy to train. For those who love the outdoors and going on adventures, they make excellent companions.
If you’re considering getting a Griff Doodle puppy, this breed guide will answer all your questions.
What is a Griff Doodle?
The Griff Doodle is a designer breed mixed from a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and a Poodle. Other names from this cross include Griff Doodle, Griffin Doodle, Griffindoodle, Griffonpoo, and Griffpoo.
Since both parent dogs have hypoallergenic hair types, Griff Doodles are prized for their lack of shedding and low maintenance. They are one of the lowest-shedding Doodle breeds. They are intelligent, playful, family dogs with a lot of energy and are easy to train.
History of the Parent Breeds
The unique Griff Doodle comes from two parent breeds with long lineages.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was first bred in Holland in the late 19th century. The breeder was Eduard Korthals, a sportsman who studied canine genetics. He wanted the ultimate gundog for hunting, and the Griffon became established as a breed standard in 1886.
Quickly gaining popularity throughout Europe, the Griffon received AKC recognition in 1887 – though it was initially thought to be a Russian Setter.
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is still a popular breed today for both hunting and companionship. They are rare in the States, though, since most are bred in France.
Poodle
Poodles have long been associated with France, but they were originally bred in Germany as hunting dogs. Due to the distinctive dense coat, Poodles were efficient in the water and used as retrievers for waterfowl.
Bred for centuries, the Poodle has performed various duties, including truffle hunting and circus performances. However, today, they are popular as companion dogs and make wonderful pets.
The Poodle ranks as one of the most intelligent breeds, based on American Kennel Club (AKC) standards. Although it comes in three sizes (toy, miniature, and standard), the Griff Doodle usually comes from miniature Poodles.
Appearance
The striking differences between the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and Miniature Poodle give the Griff Doodle a unique and adorable appearance.
The Griffon is a medium-sized dog with a square build, prominent eyebrows, and large eyes. Known for its shabby appearance, the Griffon is the embodiment of a working dog [1]ukcdogs.com/wire-haired-pointing-griffon.
On the other hand, Poodles have a regal appearance. They have distinctive curly coats, dainty legs, and long, narrow faces. The most distinguishing features are the large, floppy ears and tufts of curly hair that frame the face.
Griff Doodles have short, curly fur and shorter, floppy ears. The prominent eyebrows are prevalent and often cover the face in tufts of fluffy hair. They retain the square build of the Griffon with the regal grace of the Poodle.
Coat Type
Both Wirehaired Pointing Griffons and Poodles have hypoallergenic coats and don’t really shed.
Depending on the parents, Griff Doodle puppies can have either wire or wool fur, both of which are low-maintenance.
The wool coats are soft and resemble the Poodle parent. They do require regular trimming but are soft and smooth to the touch. The wire coats are coarse and weather-resistant, like that of the Griffon, and require very little upkeep.
Coat Colors
Griff Doodles come in all the colors seen in both Griffons and Poodles. Depending on the parents, colors include:
- Black
- Apricot
- Brown
- Blue
- Beige
- Chestnut
- White
- Brown and white
- Cream
- Black and white
- Silver
- Grey
- Red
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon-Poodle mix may also inherit a unique coat pattern such as merle, phantom, tuxedo, or tricolor.
Size
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are medium-sized dogs, while Miniature Poodles are a small breed.
By mixing the two, Griff Doodles are small-to-medium-sized dogs, usually no larger than 21 inches in shoulder height. However, the size does vary widely since the size and weight of Griffons and Poodles vary.
Height
Griff Doodles have an average height of between 17 and 20 inches. The dog’s height will depend on the size of both parents, and it could vary from the average.
Griffons have an average height of 24 inches, whereas Miniature Poodles stand at 15 inches or under.
Weight
When breeding Griff Doodles, breeders look for a weight range of between 25 and 40 pounds, which is the smaller side of both parent breeds. Of course, weight can also vary based on the size and health of the parent dogs.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons weigh, on average, 50 to 59 pounds. Miniature Poodles are much smaller, weighing around 10 to 15 pounds.
Traits & Characteristics
Temperament & Personality
Both Poodles and Griffons have similar temperaments, so Griff Doodles tend to follow suit. When you get a Griff Doodle puppy, you can expect a playful, loving, brilliant dog eager to please.
They are extremely easy to train and love being active – thanks to their hunting roots. A Griff Doodle will make a great companion if you like taking long walks and going on adventures.
They require a lot of mental stimulation and training and will love playing games. It’s important to start training early to help direct their excitable nature and help them socialize with other dogs.
Griff Doodles usually get on well with other dogs, so they’ll be at home in a multi-dog family and will do well with kids.
Common Health Issues
As a hunting breed, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon doesn’t suffer from any significant health issues. However, just like any pup, they can suffer from conditions including:
- Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) – instability of the hip joint that causes pain.
- Otitis externa – inflammation of the ear canal.
- Ectropion – drooping, outward-turning eyelid that can be irritating.
- Entropion – inward-turning eyelid that causes discomfort.
Miniature Poodles are also prone to minor ailments but don’t have any serious health concerns. Poodles tend to suffer from minor joint and leg problems, which can lead to pain and discomfort.
As a result, the most common health issue in Griff Doodles is canine hip dysplasia (CHD), which can lead to problems in later life. Fortunately, some tests can be done while the Griff Doodles are puppies to ensure there are no immediate concerns.
Lifespan
Crossbreeds tend to have longer lifespans than their pedigree counterparts since there is less risk of inbreeding. If you have a healthy Griff Doodle, it will live for around 14 to 15 years, possibly longer.
The Poodle has a relatively long lifespan of 13 to 15 years, while the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon usually lives 12 to 14 years.
Although genetics plays a significant role in lifespan, the main factor is your dog’s lifestyle and diet. Plenty of exercise and healthy food will help ensure your pup lives as long as possible.
Final Thoughts
A Griff Doodle is a wonderful choice if you’re looking for an active dog for long walks and plenty of training. They have a great temperament, high intelligence and will love being involved with you.
They’re also incredibly loyal and love cuddles after a long walk, so you’re getting the best of both worlds with this unique designer breed.
References
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