The Brussels Griffon is also known under the names of: Griffon Bruxellois, Belgium Griffon, Petit Brabançon, Griffon, Griff, Bruss and Griffon Belge.
- Exercise Needs:Moderate.
- Typical Health Problems: Eyes.
- Average Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years.
- Grooming Requirements: Middle.
- Training Difficulty: Easy.
- Diet: Normal.
- Price and Cost: Brussels Griffon puppy prices start at around $600, grooming costs.
Griffon Belge enjoying mini agility (cc) SheltieBoy.
Introduction
Remember ‘Verdell’ playing alongside Jack Nicholson in ‘As Good As It Gets’? This little fellow was a Brussels Griffon! A hardy little breed with a playful temperament, they make great city dogs due to their small size and moderate exercise needs. This is a peculiar breed as it is recognized by some kennel clubs and associations as one breed in three coat varieties and by others as three different breeds.
History
The word ‘griffon’ means ‘rough or hard coated’ and makes reference to the harsh fur of this small dog breed. The breed, as the name suggests, originated in Belgium and can be followed back to the 16th century when a small terrier breed was kept to kill rodents in storehouses and stables. During the 18th century the Brussels Griffon came into fashion and was quickly accepted as a companion dog in the houses and mansions of the wealthy, noble and even at the royal court. The 19th century then saw some attempts to unify the breed standard and to improve its appearance through crossing in other dog breeds such as the pug, spaniels and even the Yorkshire terrier. It was now that the three coat varieties developed and were named:
- Griffon Bruxellois – Rough, red coat.
- Griffon Belge – Rough, black or black with tan markings, coat.
- Petit Brabançon – Short, smooth coat in the following colors: red, black or black with tan markings.
The Brussels Griffon achieved national recognition as an established breed in the 19th century and is internationally recognized since the 20th century. The three varieties are no longer interbred, except the rare case when a smooth haired Brabançon is crossed with a Bruxellois or Belge to improve the coat color and texture of the offspring.
Appearance
The Griffon is a small dog breed with a square shaped body, between 6 and 12lbs (3 to 6kg) heavy and 8.5 to 11.5 inches (21 to 28 cm) high. The head is proportionally big, but without looking inharmonious and the face is curious with a flat muzzle and an alert expression. The coat is firm to the touch and the undercoat needs to be taken care of regularly (see below). The face has a beard and long hair over the dark, button like eyes. European bred Griffons have undocked tails, as this procedure is forbidden in most countries in Europe.
Temperament
This dog has a great self-esteem in a small body, is alert and attentive and at the same time deeply devoted to his master and family. Like the West Highland White Terrier it is a ‘real’ dog, rather than a lap or toy dog, and needs appropriate exercise and training. It still has preserved some of the hunting instincts of its forbearers and needs to be trained carefully not to chase the neighbors cat or chickens. When properly socialized it is a great dog for families with, not too small, children. One main problem that can arise in relation to other dogs is, that the Griffon underestimates its own size and tries to tell far bigger dogs who the boss is. And as with all terriers, the Griff likes to bark, as the saying goes: ‘A terrier never barks without reason, but it always finds one.’
Training
An easily trainable breed due to its intelligence and devotion, but it is equally able to train its owner with help of its cute facial expressions and manners. Care has to be taken that it is the owner that trains the dog and not the other way round!
Exercise Needs
As a small dog breed its exercise needs are comparatively high to other dogs of the same size. This is an active dog that requires regular, daily walks and benefits from participation in dog sports such as agility training. When not exercised properly the Bruss can become moody, bark excessively and even show signs of aggression due to boredom.
Grooming Requirements
To maintain the typical coat, it is necessary to regularly remove the dead hair from it, a technique known as ‘hand stripping’. This can be either done by a professional dog groomer or by the owner himself. Many breeders are happy to show this special grooming technique to a first time Brussels Griffons owner. Also the facial hair needs sometimes a bit of trimming to make sure that the eyes are visible.
Common Health Problems
The most vulnerable part of these dogs are the slightly protruding eyes and common problems include injuries, glaucoma and cataracts. Apart from this it is a very healthy and hardy breed with no typical health issues.
Price and Costs
Being an European breed means that not many Brussels Griffons are bred in America and Canada. Puppy prices start at $600, but can go considerably higher depending on the bloodline and champion status of the parents.
Care has to be taken when selecting a breeder as this dog has become fashionable of lately and puppy mills have started to ‘produce’ these dogs. Never buy a puppy online or from a pet shop, always visit the kennel and select your new family member personally.
Finally grooming costs depend on if you take your Griffon to a salon or if you learn to do it yourself. Learning to groom your dog properly is not difficult and can save you a lot of money in the process. Apart of this it is also great fun and a good way to bond with your dog.
Other Important Points to Consider
If you have very small children, under the age of 5, a Brussels Griffon puppy might not be the right choice as they can be easily injured by over enthusiastic toddlers.
Remember also that all small or toy breed puppies need frequent and regular feeding of small meals to avoid hypoglycemia. Their metabolism is very fast and they need to ‘re-fuel’ more often than puppies from larger breeds.
Summary
A real dog in a small package that does equally well in an apartment or in a house and adapts easily to city as well as to country life. When properly trained and socialized they get along well with other animals and are great with children. They do need regular exercise, both mentally and physically and benefit from participation in size adequate forms of dog sports such as agility training.
They can also make great dogs for older people that can’t handle a big dog anymore but don’t like the idea of having a pure toy or lapdog. The Brussels Griffon is ideal for them as it unites a ‘real dog character’ with a manageable size in one lovable package.