In my years of small animal practice, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has earned a reputation as a hardy, healthy sporting dog, and for the most part that reputation holds. They are not a breed riddled with serious genetic disease. Still, like every breed, they carry a handful of conditions worth knowing about so you can spot trouble early rather than discovering it after it has progressed.
I wrote this guide for owners who want to be proactive partners in their dog’s health. None of these problems should scare you off the breed. The point is awareness: knowing the symptoms to watch for, understanding what causes these issues, and building simple prevention habits into daily life. A Griffon who is kept lean, groomed regularly, and seen yearly by a vet has every chance of an active, comfortable life well into their teens.
What Are Common Health Problems in Wirehaired Pointing Griffons?
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are generally robust, but a few conditions show up more often than others. Understanding the categories helps you know where to focus your attention.
The conditions most relevant to this breed fall into a few groups: orthopedic issues like hip dysplasia, ear infections driven by their drop ears and water-loving lifestyle, eye conditions, hormonal disorders such as hypothyroidism, and skin or coat issues. Most are not emergencies and respond well to early management. Responsible breeding with health-tested parents is the single most effective way to reduce the inherited risks, while good husbandry handles much of the rest.
It is worth saying that not every Griffon will develop any of these. This is a list of possibilities to stay alert for, not a forecast of what your dog will face.
Symptoms to Watch For
These are the early warning signs I tell Griffon owners to keep an eye out for. Catching any of them early gives us far more treatment options.
If you notice any of these signs, do not wait for them to worsen. Many of these conditions are far easier and cheaper to treat when addressed at the first sign.
What Causes It
Most of these problems come from a mix of genetics and lifestyle. Knowing the sources helps you focus your prevention efforts where they matter.
Genetic and inherited
- Hip dysplasia from abnormal joint conformation
- Inherited eye conditions in some lines
- Predisposition to hypothyroidism
Anatomy and breed traits
- Drop ears that trap moisture and debris
- Hair-lined ear canals prone to infection
- Dense wiry coat that can hide skin issues
Lifestyle and environment
- Excess body weight stressing the joints
- Swimming and field work that wet the ears
- Allergens and burrs picked up outdoors
Age-related
- Arthritis developing in older dogs
- Dental disease accumulating over years
- Lens and eye changes with age
You cannot change your dog’s genetics, but choosing a breeder who screens their dogs reduces inherited risk. Everything in the lifestyle and anatomy columns is something good daily care can help manage.
Treatment and Recovery
When a problem does come up, here is how we typically approach it. The exact plan depends on the condition and its severity, but the general path looks like this.
Get an accurate diagnosis
Your vet starts with a physical exam and may use X-rays for joints, ear cytology for infections, an eye exam, or bloodwork for thyroid and metabolic issues. A correct diagnosis prevents wasted time on the wrong treatment.
Treat the specific condition
Ear infections are treated with cleaning and medication, hypothyroidism with daily thyroid hormone, and skin issues with targeted therapy. Mild hip dysplasia is often managed conservatively, while severe cases may need surgery.
Manage weight and activity
For joint problems, keeping your dog lean is one of the most effective long-term treatments. Controlled, consistent exercise maintains muscle without overstressing painful joints.
Follow up and recheck
Many of these conditions need monitoring. Thyroid dogs need periodic blood tests, arthritic dogs need pain plans reviewed, and recurring ear infections need their underlying cause addressed.
Adjust for the long term
Chronic conditions are managed, not cured overnight. Your vet will help you build a sustainable routine of medication, diet, and home care that keeps your dog comfortable for years.
The good news is that most of these conditions are very manageable. Many Griffons with hypothyroidism, controlled arthritis, or well-managed ears live full, happy lives.
Prevention and Home Care
Prevention is where you as an owner make the biggest difference. These habits cost little and dramatically lower the odds of serious problems.
- Keep your Griffon at a lean, healthy weight to protect the joints
- Check and dry the ears after every swim or wet field outing
- Brush the coat regularly and inspect the skin for hot spots and burrs
- Schedule yearly wellness exams, and more often for puppies and seniors
- Stay current on dental care and parasite prevention
- Buy from a breeder who health-tests parents for hips and eyes
- Provide consistent daily exercise to maintain muscle and joint health
- Watch for early symptoms and act promptly rather than waiting
If your dog ever ingests something potentially toxic, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is available at 888-426-4435. For everything else, your regular veterinarian is your best partner in keeping this wonderful breed healthy for the long haul.
Safety note: This article is for general education and does not replace veterinary care, so always consult your own veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment of any health concern in your dog.
Sources
What you need to know
The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a robust hunting dog, and most of its concerns relate to its active outdoor life. Hip dysplasia can occur, so lean weight and steady growth protect the joints. The harsh coat and beard hide skin, so check for hot spots, ticks and grass-seed wounds after working, and dry the ears, which can trap moisture and become infected.
As a deep-chested breed, bloat is a possibility, so feed measured meals away from hard exercise and know the emergency signs. Eye conditions like entropion and cataracts are reported. These dogs are bred to work and need genuine exercise and purpose to stay content. The wiry coat needs hand-stripping rather than heavy clipping. For lameness, ear trouble or any sign of bloat, contact a vet rather than waiting it out.