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BRUSSELS GRIFFON

A.K.A:




Nickname:





Original Name:
Belgian Griffon
Brabancon
BG
Griffon Belge
Griffon Bruxellois
Petit Brabancon 
Bruss
Brussels
Griff
Griffon
Monkey Face
Griffon d'Ecurie
Stable Griffon
Varieties:
By Coat:
  • Belgian Griffon (refers to black coated)
  • Brabancon (refers to the smooth coated)
  • Griffon Belge (refers to coloring: reddish brown mixed with black)
  • Griffon Bruxellois ( refers to 3 varieties:  Griffon Belge, Petit Brabancon, Griffon Bruxellois)
  • Petit Brabancon (refers to the smooth coated)
Physical Characteristics:
Height:

Weight:

Build:
Coat:

Color:







Eyes:
Ears:

Tail:
Life Span:
8 - 11 inches
20 - 27 cm
8 - 12 lbs
3 - 5 kg
Thickset and compact with square proportions
Can be smooth coated or rough coated.  Rough coated is sometimes referred to as wire-haired.
Typically seen in:
  • beige
  • solid black
  • reddish brown
  • black mixed with reddish brown
  • black with reddish brown markings
  • black and tan
Very large, dark black, wide set, prominent and wide opened
Naturally semi-erect though sometimes cropped to a point.  Ears are small and high set
Docked and held high and straight up
12 - 15 years
General Description:
While the smooth coated Brussels Griffon bears a striking facial  resemblance to the Pug, the rough coated Brussels Griffon strongly resembles the Affenpinscher.  In fact, the Affenpinscher has been nicknamed 'Monkey Dog' and the Griffon has been nicknamed 'Monkey Face.' And while both monikers are more or less appropriate, the Brussels Griffon has very human like facial expression. 

Though a very small and compact dog the Brussels Griffon is not in anyway a delicate dog.  In fact it is quite sturdy for its size. 

It has a short, thick body with a large round, domed skull, an undershot chin and a deep stop crreated by a  short, upturned nose set between the eyes.  The eyelashes are thick and black.  This little guy has small, round feet and it moves with great purposefulness.

The rough coat is hard, wiry hair that is longer around the head. The smooth coat is straight, short, tight and glossy.
Breed Origin:
This breed was named for the capital of the country in which it was developed, Brussels, Belgium.  Though it's ancestors can be traced back to the 1500's, the Brussels Griffon, as we know it today, traces back to the 1800's.  It is believed to be the cross between a Belgian street dog, the Griffon d'Ecurie (translates to wire coated stable dogs) or Stable Griffon, and the Affenpinscher.  These offspring were then crossed with Pugs, a breed that was very popular in neighboring Holland.  The Pug influence caused the brachycephalic head shape and the smooth coated variety of the breed.  The smooth coated dogs were initially destroyed as griffon means wiry.  However these pups were eventually accepted. 

It is possible that additional stock, such as the Yorkshire Terrier and the English Toy Spaniel, were added to create the dog we know today. 

The Brussels Griffon entered the Belgian show ring about 1880.  Though originally bred for small varmint hunting the change to the shape of the head and face created a dog that was no longer suitable for that job. 

Griffons were also used as guardians of cabs and horse-drawn carriages.  

By the early 1900's this breed was the dog of choice amongst the nobility. The breed's numbers were seriously decimated by WWI but recovered afterward.  This is now one of the most popular breeds world wide.
Temperament and Personality:
The Brussels Griffon is quite full of himself.  This breed is self-confident, intelligent, bold and jaunty! They are also cheerful, spunky and comedic, playful and mischievous, affectionate and charming! They have a playful, lively and curious nature which makes them quite terrier like in their personality. 

The Brussels Griffon can be quite stubborn and therefore difficult to train.  This is not a lack of intelligence but more a sign of their self-important attitude.  Stick with it, be patient and consistent, they can be trained.  In fact the Griffon is quite adept at learning tricks to keep you entertained for a very long time.

The Brussels Griffon is usually quite happy in the presence of other dogs and pets.  it will enjoy their company.  But they can be considerable less patient with young children and quite wary of strangers.  Be sure to socialize your Brussels Griffon starting at a very early age.

A Brussels Griffon is very devoted to its people.  It strongly desires physical contact as a demonstration of affection.  And while he can't offer you much physical protection he will try to protect you by acting as an early warning system (barking) if any threat is perceived.
Exercise and Grooming:
This breed is relatively high energy and requires daily mental and physical stimulation.  However do to its miniature size this can be provided with daily walks and indoor play.  Your Griffon would appreciate access to a fenced yard to satisfy its curiosity.  Don't forget its ability to escape!  

The smooth coated variety needs occassional brushing and bathing.  The rough coated Griffon needs combing 2-3 times per week and shaping of the coat about every three months
Differences by Variety:
None other than coat type and color
Best Suited For:
The Brussels Griffon will do well in either an urban or suburban settiing.

It is not recommended that this breed be brought into a home with very young children unless careful supervision will always be present.
General Health:
All purebred dogs are more susceptible to certain health conditions while less susceptible to others.  It does not mean that your dog will or will not suffer from these or other conditions.

Compared with many other breeds the Griffon has relatively few health issues. In fact it is only in recent years that these issues have begun to be noticed enough to be categorized and tracked.
  • CLEFT PALATE: Cleft palates can be fatal for puppies as this condition rsults in the puppy not receiving nourishment and therefore starving to death.  If a puppy with this condition survives long enough the cleft can be surgically repaired.
  • EYES:  There are several conditions related to the eyes that may effect your Brussels Griffon including: 
  • Cataracts typically appear only as a dog ages.  This is a problem for breeders as the dog may only develop this condition long after it has been bred several times.  There is no way to predict that a dog carries this tendency.
  • Glaucoma can be a common problem in the Griffon due to the breed's facial features and the size of the eyes.
  • Lacerations, which are a common problem amongst brachycephalic, or flat-faced, dogs as there eyes are very prominent and are nor offerred any protection by the short muzzle.  Untreated lacerations may result in blindness.
  • Lens Luxation is somewhat common in the Brussels Griffon and can result in Secondary Glaucoma
  • HEAT STROKE:  This condition is always more prominent in brachycephalic dogs.  However the Brussels is not as sensitive as some other flat faced dogs.  But owners should exercise care in providing protection from the elements, plenty of coll, fresh water, and limited activity in extreme heat.
  • WHELPING:  The Brussels will not usually require any assistance with whelping however caesarean sections are sometime required.  Complications are more likely to arise when the dam is carrying a litter of more than 3 pups.
Other Things You Should Know:
  • Can be sensitive to heat
  • Can be difficult to train as they are stubborn
  • Some members of this breed do not get along well with children
  • Some members of this breed may be very wary of strangers
  • Griffons are very devoted to their people
  • Griffons seek physical contact with their people
  • may be inclined to Small Dog Syndrome based on how they are treated, socialized and trained
  • If not given adequate exercise and stimulation the breed is inclined to become overly sensitive, high strung or even moody
  • Though basically a companion dog this breed is still considered a viable watch dog for warning purposes only.  it cannot offer much physical protection but will act as an early warning system if a threat is perceived.  
  • This breed should be neither timid nor aggressive, but they can be very vocal 
  • The Brussels Griffon likes to climb and is known to be an escape artist
Little Known Facts:
  • Several old Belgian folk songs refer to the 'bearded' dogs.  It is believed this is a reference to the early Brussels Griffons or their predecessors 
  • Brussels Griffons have comparatively small litters averaging only 1 - 3 puppies at one time.  However larger litters are not unheard of.
Famous Brussels Griffons:
  • A Brussells Griffon played the part of 'Ernie', Sarah's dog, in the film 'Sweet November'
  • A smooth coated Petit Brabancon played the part of 'Rags,' the suicidal dog belonging to Carter in the sitcom 'Spin City'
  • Diane Keaton's character, Annie MacDuggan Paradis, owned a Brussels Griffon in the film 'The First Wives Club'
  • Kiki, a Brussels Griffon played the part of Rolf Liechti's dog in the film 'Gosford Park
  • Jim, the Brussels Griffon / Chihuahua mix, was Mike's mom's dog in the sitcom 'Mike and Molly'
  • Six different Brussels Griffons played the part of Verdell in the film 'As Good As It Gets.'  They were Timer, Sprout, Debbie, Billy, Parfait and Jill the Star
  • The Village Voice named 'Monkey,' a Griffon owned by record label owner Sarah Lewitinn as the "The Best Dog Owned by a Club Personality'
Kennel Club Groups:
AKC, Toy
CKC, Terrier
UKC, Companion
Kennel Club Recognition:
Belgian Griffon:  CKC, FCI, NKC, APRI

Brussels Griffon:  CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, NAKC, NKC, APRI, ACR, DRA, NAPR, UCA

Petit Brabancon:  CKC, FCI, NKC, APRI
Fun videos featuring the Brussels Griffon:
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