Little Pawz -- Brussels Griffon -- Small Dogs -- Small Dog Breed Information -- Toy Dogs -- Miniature Dogs -- Dog Breeds

The Griffon is an attractive, happy little dog that makes a first-class family pet. It has an almost monkey-like face, with a knowing expression, and is hardy, intelligent and terrier-like in temperament. The breed, which is essentially Belgian, was originally used as a guard and catcher of vermin, particularly in stable yards. However, it took the fancy of royalty thereby becoming a fashionable house pet.

There are two varieties, the Griffon Bruxellois and the Griffon Brabançon. The only difference is in the coat: the Bruxellois is a rough-coat, and the Brabançon a smooth-coat. Rough-coats and smooth-coats can appear in a single litter.

Size
Weight: 5 – 11 lbs (2.3 – 5 kg)

Coat and Colour
There are two distinct types of coat — rough and smooth. The rough coat should be wiry and dense, the harder and more wiry the better. On no account should the dog look or feel woolly, and there should be no silky hair anywhere. The coat should not be so long as to give a shaggy appearance, but should still be distinctly different all over from the smooth coat. The head should be covered with wiry hair, slightly longer around the eyes, nose, cheeks, and chin, thus forming a fringe. The smooth coat is similar to that of the Boston Terrier or English Bulldog, with no trace of wire hair. In the rough-coated type, coat is either:
(a) reddish brown, with a little black at the whiskers and chin allowable, or
(b) black and reddish brown mixed, usually with black mask and whiskers, or
(c) black with uniform reddish brown markings, usually appearing under the chin, on the legs, over the eyebrows, around the edges of the ears and around the vent, or
(d) solid black
The colours of the smooth-coated type are the same as those of the rough-coated type. Any white hairs in either the rough or smooth coat are a serious fault, except for frost on the black muzzle of a mature dog, which is natural.

Exercise
Like most toy breeds it adapts well to city life and does not need a great deal of exercise, but a romp in the countryside would be greatly appreciated.

Grooming
The rough-coat needs to be stripped twice a year. This is best done professionally. The smooth-coat should be brushed, towelled, and gently rubbed down with a velvet glove or soft wash cloth. Watch that the nails don't grow to long. You may want a dog groomer or veterinarian to trim the nails for you.

Feeding
Recommended would be 1/2 can (13.3 oz 376 g size) name-brand dog food with a biscuit, or 1 – 1 1/2 cups of a dry dog food. Always provide an ample supply of fresh water for your Brussels Griffon.

Origin and History
The Brussels Griffon was first exhibited at the Brussels Exhibition in 1880 and is a truly Belgian breed. It seems likely that it derives from the Affenpinscher, to which it certainly bears a facial resemblance. The introduction of the Pug may be responsible for the Brabançon or smooth-coat, which in the early days was not recognized.

An enthusiastic Brussels Griffon owner was the late Queen Astrid of the Belgians. Before WWI, the popularity of Griffons in their country of origin was immense, but the breeding program was severly affected by the war.

Griffons have fortunately now found their way to most countries of the world but, showing differences exist. In Belgium the Griffon is shown with cropped ears, a practice that is illegal in the United Kingdom, most states in the United States, and although not illegal in Canada, most Canadian veterinarians will refuse to perform the surgery citing that the practice is cruel and inhumane. The little dog featured in the Jack Nicholson film, As Good as It Gets was a Brussels Griffon.