Is the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever or the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon better for families with children?

Both the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever and the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever or the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?

The Murray River Curly Coated Retriever and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon shed a similar amount (low).

Which is easier to train, the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever or the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?

Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.

Is Murray River Curly Coated Retriever or Wirehaired Pointing Griffon bigger?

Murray River Curly Coated Retriever and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon are a similar size (Medium).

Which barks more, Murray River Curly Coated Retriever or Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Murray River Curly Coated Retriever is the quieter choice.

Which is better for apartment living, Murray River Curly Coated Retriever or Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?

For apartment or apartment living, Murray River Curly Coated Retriever has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Murray River Curly Coated Retriever vs Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Murray River Curly Coated Retriever vs Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: full comparison

Trait	Murray River Curly Coated Retriever	Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Size	Medium	Medium
Energy level	High	Very High
Trainability	High	High
Friendliness	High	High
Good with children	High	High
Grooming needs	Very High	High
Shedding	Low	Low
Barking	Low	Medium
Protectiveness	Low	Low
Adaptability	Medium	High
Typical lifespan	12 years	13 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Size and living space

The Murray River Curly Coated Retriever is a medium-sized dog that adapts to an average home, with a little outdoor space preferred. By comparison, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a medium-sized dog that adapts to an average home, with a little outdoor space preferred. Because they are a similar size, neither has a clear space advantage — both will suit the same kind of home.

Exercise and energy needs

The Murray River Curly Coated Retriever demands substantial daily activity, from long walks to hard play. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a canine athlete needing hard daily work and a purpose, or it turns restless. If you have a busy schedule, the lower-energy of the two will be easier to keep satisfied; if you are active and want a dog to keep up, the higher-energy breed is the better match.

Grooming and shedding

The Murray River Curly Coated Retriever is a serious grooming commitment, with daily brushing and regular salon visits and sheds very little. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon requires frequent brushing and regular professional trims and sheds very little. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The Murray River Curly Coated Retriever is quick to learn and a pleasure to train, keeps fairly quiet, barking occasionally and is reliably good with children and a solid family choice. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is quick to learn and a pleasure to train, gives voice moderately, typically when something warrants it and is reliably good with children and a solid family choice. On guarding instinct, Murray River Curly Coated Retriever shows limited protectiveness and is friendly to callers, whereas Wirehaired Pointing Griffon shows limited protectiveness and is friendly to callers.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Murray River Curly Coated Retriever has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, Murray River Curly Coated Retriever and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, Murray River Curly Coated Retriever has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, Murray River Curly Coated Retriever and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon are an even match — either can work well.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever if you want a calmer, lower-energy companion or you prefer a quieter dog.

Choose the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon if you want a more adaptable dog, you want a more energetic partner for sport and adventure, or you prefer lower grooming upkeep.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever or the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon better for families with children?: Both the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever and the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever or the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?: The Murray River Curly Coated Retriever and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon shed a similar amount (low).
Which is easier to train, the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever or the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?: Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.
Is Murray River Curly Coated Retriever or Wirehaired Pointing Griffon bigger?: Murray River Curly Coated Retriever and Wirehaired Pointing Griffon are a similar size (Medium).
Which barks more, Murray River Curly Coated Retriever or Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?: Wirehaired Pointing Griffon tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Murray River Curly Coated Retriever is the quieter choice.
Which is better for apartment living, Murray River Curly Coated Retriever or Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?: For apartment or apartment living, Murray River Curly Coated Retriever has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.