Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound - Breed Comparison

Known also as the Korthals Griffon, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a hunting- and gundog. It was Eduard Karel Korthals who is thought to have brought about this dog breed around 1873.

He was a Dutchman living in France. It is believed that quite a few dog breeds were used to bring about this dog such as the Otterhound, Spniels, Setters and possibly a Pointer. The dog is known as a supreme gundog and it is a very popular dog breed.

Edward Korthals of Holland was looking for an ideal gun dog. It was in 1888 that the first Griffon Club was formed. It was only in 1916 that this dog was officially recognized as the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon in the United States.

It is also recognized by the FCI or Federation Cynologique Internationale.

Once known as the Illyrian Hound and also known also as the Barak, the Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound was developed in Bosnia, and as a scenthound, it would hunt large game. Barak belongs to the hound group so typically this dog wants to chase wild game which he used to do long ago for his master.

The breed was developed into what is's current looks are. In the 1890’s he was crossed with Italian gun dogs with local scent hound stock. It is a rare breed, and outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is all but unknown.The dog is also known as the Bosnian-Rough-Coated Hound or the Illyrian Hound. In 2006 the breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club as the Barak in the Scenthound group. Unfortunately, while the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound is still found in Bosnia, there is plenty of conflict in the country, and the future of the dog is unknown.

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon or Korthals Griffon is a medium-to-large sized dog standing at between 50 and 60cm both male and female and weighing between 23and 27kg.

He has a wiry, somewhat harsh curly outer coat and a softer undercoat. The head is quite large. He has thick eyebrows and a beard. The eyes are brown with yellow irises.

This is a low-shedding dog. There are a few colors such as white and brown, white and orange but the coat is also steel gray with brown markings.

Temperament:

These dogs are intelligent and independent with a desire to please their owners. He is able to learn tricks and commands easily. They love their human families and want to be around them all the time.

It would be devastating for such a dog to find himself stuck in the backyard with no human contact. He is also not suited to cramped living conditions in the city but is essentially a country dog, especially since he has boundless energy.

As a family pet, he is playful, friendly, loyal, loving and gentle, behaving well with children and other pets. They’re not aggressive dogs but they make excellent watchdogs, barking if someone comes into their property.

The medium to large sized dog is known for his coarse, shaggy coat of wheaten, black, red or grey shades. Some dogs are bi- or tri-colored. The shaggy coat has a thick undercoat and this is what provides insulation for the dog to cope in extremely cold weather conditions. He is a moderate shedder and he will need to be brushed thoroughly twice a week to remove his loose hairs.

Some dogs have white marks on the head. The height of this dog ranges between 46–55cm at the withers and he can weigh in at between 16–24kg. He is well known for his facial hair – a moustache and beard on the muzzle with large, brown eyes and an intelligent, alert and playful expression.The Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound is a robust dog with a deep chest that provides him with a well proportioned appearance. The brown eyes have bushy eyebrows, the ears fairly long and floppy and the tail long and somewhat feathery.

The Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound makes an exceptional pet because he is loyal and friendly with his family members and patient and tolerant of children’s antics. He also gets on well with other pets in the house.

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has always been a great hunting dog and he doubles as an excellent pet and companion as well.

This dog is extremely loyal to his human family and is friendly, intelligent, loving and affectionate, getting on well with children as well as other pets in the home.

He can reach 14 years of age and doesn’t often get sick, making him an all-round great pet and companion.

Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hounds are loyal, loving dogs. They are intelligent too and easy to train. With training and socialization, they are well behaved and a pleasure to have in the home. He makes an excellent pet for any family who bears in mind that he needs lots of exercise. When he uses up his energy with games, walks and other activities, he becomes a playful friend with children in the house.

His temperament fits his tousled looks and he is outgoing, amicable, social and friendly. He wants to be a member of the family and to be part of all the activities going on. When he is happy and well cared for, he makes a splendid pet.

To avoid ear problems, a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon's ears should be kept clean and dry. If you do detect redness inside the ear, it could mean he has an infection that will need to be treated.

The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound is a generally healthy breed, but just like with other dogs, he can also be prone to some hereditary health issues.

Hip Dysplasia

This is essentially a kind of degenerative arthritis and can be painful for your pet. You’ll notice that he battles to get up after lying down. There are some treatment options that can alleviate his pain and make him more comfortable, but there is no cure.

It is essentially where the dog’s hips partially dislocate and it is a genetic condition. It is more usual in larger dogs but any dogs can battle with hip dysplasia.

Patellar Luxation

This occurs when your dog’s kneecap is dislocated. It can be a genetic malformation or trauma. A dislocated kneecap is a common knee joint abnormality and a dog with a dislocated kneecap will have abnormal hind-limb movement, occasional skipping and even lameness.

Exercise:

This dog loves his exercise, and if you live in the country so much the better. He will love to go hiking and swimming with you or running next to you as you go cycling. He also loves all kinds of rope- and ball games in the garden. It’s why this active dog isn’t ideal for life in the city.

Always have the telephone number of a good vet in your phone.

Spay or neuter your pet if you don’t want unwanted puppies. Don't do it too early. Speak to your vet about the procedure and about the health benefits that come from spaying and neutering a dog.

Diet:

These are active dogs and they will require top quality food if they’re to remain healthy and active.

Always check the packaging to see what ingredients are present in your dog’s food. Some of the cheaper, more inferior brands can actually be harmful to your pet with their useless ingredients devoid of vitamins and minerals.

Some home-made food is good and this needs to be plain and free from spicy additives. Dogs have sensitive stomachs and anything unusual can cause them digestive problems.

Make sure your dog’s vaccines are up to date.

Provide your pet with a quiet, warm, dry sleeping place to call his own.

Exercise

This bearded dog is energetic so he will need to be exercised by you. You can take him on walks or take him to the park or play ball games with him. He will be prone to excessive barking and other kinds of destructive behavior through no fault of his own if you buy a pet like this and just plonk him in your back garden. He wants to be a part of your family and exercising him daily is part of owning a pet like the Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound.

Training

The Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound is a strong-willed dog and intelligent too. Train him and socialize him because then he becomes such an obedient, amicable pet who just wants to please.

Feeding

Your Barak is an energetic breed so he will need top quality food packed with vitamins and minerals that can provide him with the energy he needs. When it comes to feeding your Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound, store-bought dog food comes in a dry form or wet canned form.

If you’re unfamiliar with these foods, you can also speak to your veterinarian about the best food for your pet. Many dogs are lucky because their owners provide homemade diets – raw or cooked meat, vegetables and rice. A good multivitamin with omega 3 is also recommended for your pet as this can ensure his coat is shiny and his eyes bright and alert. Fresh, cool water must be within reach day and night.