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Brussels Griffon - Toy


Brussels Griffon

Family:

terrier, companion


Area of origin:

Belgium


Original function:

small vermin hunting, companion


Average size of male:

Ht: 7-8, Wt: 8-10


Average size of female:

Ht: 7-8, Wt: 8-10


Other names:

griffon Belge, griffon Bruxellois, Belgian griffon


  • •••••

    Energy

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    Exercise

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    Playfulness

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    Affection

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    Friendliness towards dogs

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    Friendliness towards other pets

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    Friendliness towards strangers

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    Ease of training

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    Watchdog ability

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    Protection ability

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    Grooming

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    Cold tolerance

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    Heat tolerance

Picture: Kent and Donna Dannen |

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Brussels Griffon Temperament

The spunky Brussels griffon is full of himself, brimming with self-confidence and gusto. He is bold, playful, stubborn and mischievous. He is usually good with other dogs and pets. He tends to bark and climb, and some Brussels griffons can be escape artists. This breed makes a saucy companion for a family wanting an entertaining, sensitive pet.

Brussels Griffon Care

The Brussels griffon is an active breed, always on the lookout for action. He needs daily mental and physical stimulation, but his small size makes such stimulation possible with a robust indoor game. He also enjoys a short walk on leash. This breed cannot live outside, although he appreciates the opportunity to spend time in the yard. The rough coat needs combing two or three times weekly, plus shaping by stripping every three months. Grooming for the smooth coat is minimal, consisting only of occasional brushing to remove dead hair.

Brussels Griffon Health

Major concerns: none
Minor concerns: none
Occasionally seen: weak bladder, patellar luxation, distichiasis
Suggested tests: none
Life span: 12-15 years

Dogs Related to the Brussels Griffon

Affenpinscher
Chihuahua
Chinese Crested Dog
English Toy Spaniel
Japanese Chin
Maltese
Pekingese
Shih Tzu

Interested in the history of the Brussels Griffon breed?

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A product of Belgium, the Brussels griffon probably had as his forebears the affenpinscher and a Belgian street dog, the griffon d'ecurie, or "stable griffon." The breed gained favor as a guard of cabs in Brussels, where his cocky but comic demeanor was most likely more effective at attracting riders than dissuading robbers. In the late 1800s, this mixture was then crossed with the pug, at that time extremely popular in neighboring Holland. The pug crosses account for the brachycephalic head type and for the smooth-coated individuals of the breed, known then (and still in some countries) as the petit brabancon. Although the smooths were initially destroyed (after all, griffon means wiry), they were soon after accepted. By 1880, the breed was sufficiently established to be recognized at Belgian dog shows. Around this same time there is some suggestion that additional crosses were made with the Yorkshire terrier and English toy spaniel, the latter further contributing to the Brussels griffon's head configuration. By the early 1900s, the little street urchin had risen to the heights of popularity in Belgium and found himself in great demand by nobility. Although his numbers were decimated by World War I, the breed recovered and has since gained ardent admirers around the world. In some countries, only the red longer-coated dogs are classified as the Brussels griffon; black longer-coated dogs are known as the Belgian griffon; and smooth-coated dogs are known as the petit brabancon.


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Some animal welfare organizations with Brussels Griffons ready for adoption:

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