The Long Game: Protecting Your Griffon’s Growth Plates for a Lifetime of Adventure
- rdstew
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
At Mountain River Griffons, our goal is to raise dogs who shine in the field, love the water, and are just as happy curled up at your feet at home. We want your Griffon to be pointing birds and hiking mountains with you for many, many years. The best way to make that happen starts with something simple, but not always easy: patience during their first year. One of the most important things every puppy owner should know is about growth plates. A 2016 study brought this to light, and it’s something we want to talk about.
What are Growth Plates?
Growth plates are soft areas of cartilage at the ends of your puppy’s long bones. Think of them as the engine rooms where new bone is made, helping your pup grow strong and tall until they reach maturity. Because these plates are made of soft cartilage, they are actually the most fragile part of your puppy’s skeleton. They’re much weaker than the tough ligaments and tendons around them.
The Risk of the "Great Outdoors
With a high-energy breed like the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, their eagerness to run and explore often comes before their bodies are truly ready. If those growth plates get injured, it can cause lifelong problems, including:
Asymmetrical Growth: If a puppy lands hard—like jumping out of a tall truck—and damages one side of a growth plate, that side can stop growing while the other keeps going. This can lead to bowed or crooked legs.
Joint Problems: Injuries to growth plates while your pup is still growing are a big reason for elbow and hip issues later on.
The Mountain River Guidelines for WPG Puppies
Because Griffons are a medium-to-large sporting breed, we recommend following these safe movement guidelines until your pup is about 14 to 18 months old:
Avoid Forced Exercise: Don’t ask your puppy to keep up with you on jogs or long leashed walks, especially on pavement. Let them set the pace.
The 5-Minute Rule: A good rule of thumb is five minutes of formal exercise per month of age, up to twice a day. For example, a 4-month-old puppy can have two 20-minute sessions each day.
Low-Impact Socialization: Help your puppy build confidence and coordination by letting them walk over fallen logs, wade through shallow water, or explore different surfaces. These gentle adventures build strong, woods-smart muscles without the pounding of fast running.
No High Jumps: Try to keep your puppy from jumping off the couch, out of the truck, or down high steps. That kind of impact is tough on their growing bones.
When is it "Go Time"?
For Griffons, puberty and full bone maturity usually happen between 14 and 18 months. That’s when the growth plates finally close and become strong, solid bone.
By being patient during your puppy’s first year, you’re not holding them back. You’re giving them the best possible start for a lifetime of hunting, hiking, and happy years by your side.
