Hello. This is my first post as I have only found this great site today. There seem to be a lot of experienced doggy people out there who can maybe help. I live in France with my husband and we have a 10 month old Griffon bitch (very like an Irish wolfhound to look at) called Georgie. Our problem is that from the moment we brought her home at 8 weeks I knew we were going to have to work very hard at a relationship. She seems to be totally detached and uninterested in us, unless there is food about. She is a very gentle dog, totally submisive with other dogs, but  loves to play with other dogs. In france there is a different attitude to some dog ownership. Georgie's parents are both hunting dogs and although the large litter was well cared for I do not think they received any human handling in those first weeks. We have showered affection on her, but do not get much interest back from her. Recall is very much a hit and miss affair. She loves her walks in the countryside, but there is always the risk she will not come so her walks are a bit tense for us. Sorry to rabbit on, but we love her so much and want to improve our relationshop with her. Advice please!!

I wonder if her demeanor is in fact a breed thing.  Certainly most modern UK breeders rear their litters in the home with lots of handling but it was not always so, our first dog, a Cocker Spaniel was reared in outside kennels as was common then, other than feeding and cleaning I don't think the breeder spend a great deal of time with them and she did not come to us until 12 weeks old and yet, like most Cockers these days, if she could have unzipped our skins and popped herself inside she would have done so. There are not too many Griffon owners on this board that I am aware of :) but some do have, perhaps, similar hunting breeds and I think they may confirm that they are often fairly aloof in character and are often "difficult" with the recall.
Hopefully someone with experience within the hound types will be able to offer some advise on how you might improve things on the recall front.

Unfortunately some dogs just aren't people orientated, even if they have had lots of socialisation. It could just be her nature. I don't really have any help to offer as I've never had one like this, but friends have. They didn't let the dog off a lead unless they were in a secure place. It was excercised on a lunge lead (like one used for horses)

Hope someone can help you.