Quick Facts:

Group classification: Terrier, Griffon

Country of origin Belgium

Date of origin 1880

Weight: 8 lb (3.63 kg) to 10 lb (4.54 kg) for both sexes.

Height: 7-8 inches (18-20 cm) for both sexes.

Life expectancy: About 12-15 years

Overview

The 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 in keeping vermin away but due to their charm and sociable character they have been kept as companion dogs. Its coat does however require a lot of grooming but it definitely adds joy to families who own them. The Brussels Griffon appears quite humorous with pointed ears and their eyes are sharp looking. The Brussels Griffon 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 weighing 8 to 12 pounds. It has straight legs and thick and short body that appears squarely. with a close look at its face , one could see a humanly expression that resembles its Affenpinscher heritage as well. With its robust and compact feature the head is rounded with irregular hard hair that longer around the cheeks ,nose and eyes. The eyes are very large and black with long black eyelashes . The nose is short and black and surrounded with hair that converges upwards to meet those that surrounds the eyes. The lips are edged with a black moustache and its chin is prominently with a beard with no teeth showing.

Temperament

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

Care

The Brussels griffon needs to be closely monitored on health issues and to strengthen the emotional bond bonding with the owner. 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 on a regular basis. This will help to maintain it to be clean and healthy. Her teeth also need brushing with toothbrush and paste recommended for dogs to remove the accumulated plague and tartar that can cause periodontal disease and cavities. Her toe nails should be clipped regularly and examined regularly.
Training
Consistency is very important when training the Brussels Griffon since they rather lose interest quickly and are stubborn at times. It is therefore recommended to train these dogs in obedience while they are still younger. Training session should be more fun as this will help these dogs attentive and interested.

Health Problems

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

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