Brussels Griffon

Overview

The Brussels Griffon is quite an amiable companion dog that can do very well in a house or an apartment. Originally these breeds were kept to help keep vermin away, but due to their charm and sociable character they have been kept as companion dogs. Its coat does, however, require considerable grooming, but they definitely add joy to families who own them. The Brussels Griffon appears quite humorous with pointed ears and their eyes are sharp looking. This breed was discovered in 1880 at an exhibition in Brussels and is among the Griffon types: Petit Griffon and the Belgian Griffon.

Characteristics

The Brussels Griffon is a small breed that is 7 to 8 inches in height and weighs 8 to 12 pounds. It has straight legs as well as a thick and short body that is also square. Upon close scrutiny of its face, one see's a human-type expression that resembles its Affenpinscher heritage. With its robust and compact feature the head is rounded with irregular hard hair that is longer around the cheeks, nose, and eyes. The eyes are large and black with long black eyelashes. The nose is short and black and is surrounded by hair that converges upwards to meet those that surrounds the eyes. The lips are edged with a black mustache and its chin is prominent with a beard and no teeth showing.

Temperament

The Brussels Griffon dog breed is full of curiosity and is always very cheerful and lively. It is quite intelligent and can participate well enough in agility and obedience trails. They make a good companion, especially to people and children the dog has gotten used to. The dog should be taken out frequently for air and exercise. The Brussels Griffon is easy to train, calm, and very eager to please, but at times shows stubbornness in attitude. This breed is also very sensitive to cold weather and should wear a sweater or coat when going outside. It is said that even today, the Brussels Griffon has the ability to keep away household rodents where it dwells. It is known to show affection to its handler or owner and to members of the family too.

Care

The Brussels Griffon needs to be closely monitored for health issues. It has two coat varieties, one that is very harsh with thick wiry hair, while the other has glossy and smooth hair which should be brushed on a regular basis. This will help maintain it to be clean and healthy. Brushing their teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste is recommended for dogs to remove the accumulated plague and tartar that can cause periodontal disease and cavities. Toe nails should be clipped as well as examined regularly.

Training

Consistency is very important when training the Brussels Griffon since they lose interest quickly and are stubborn at times. It is therefore recommended to train these dogs in obedience while they are still young. The training session should be fun as this will help these dogs to be attentive and interested.

Health Problems

Just like most dog breeds, the Brussels Griffon has health problems related to genetics. They are mostly affected by respiratory problems, difficulty in giving birth, eye problems, subluxated patella, and teeth defects. It may also be prone to other diseases that affect dogs and should be taken to a veterinarian frequently for checkups.

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