Brussels Griffon Breed Description

An Owner's Brussels Griffon Description
Professor, a name I chose for my Griffon because of his intelligent demeanor, is part of the Toy breeds. No longer in much demand as a vermin exterminator, Professor is a treat as a companion dog. Although not all Brussels Griffons have the exact same personality, Professor can be very curious and mischievous, but that's what makes him so enjoyable.

Over time he has become quite suspicious of most strangers and actually, people in general. He believes they are only after his things and will guard his toys obsessively. He can really get full of himself sometimes and strut around as if no one else is as important. It's these antics that entertain us for hours. Whether or not he is aware of his snappy terrier-like character, he certainly knows how to get your attention.

Now Brussels Griffons, as a whole, are intelligent dogs and Professor is no different. However, he does get bored easily, making it a bit more difficult to teach him anything that demands concentration. Like many terriers and smaller breeds, Professor suffers from Attention Disorder Deficit. Housebreaking was important since these dogs rarely make good outside pets. They are known to be somewhat fragile in spite of their spunkiness and there are just too many ways for these 'toy' dogs to wind up injured. Professor has a tendency to be very aggressive with other dogs, as well as unfamiliar humans.

Brussels Griffons are not a good pet for families with young children. Not that they would hurt anyone, but just the opposite. A playful child can easily step on and break their fragile bones. So, I keep Professor indoors and let him carry on amusing himself as much as he does me.

 

Introduction

These dogs are intelligent, alert and sturdy with thickset, short bodies and a wiry coat. The word "griffon" means "wiry." Coat colors are red, black & tan and black. They are good with children, easy to train and get along well with other dogs. These dogs need daily grooming to keep their coat looking nice. They weigh 6 to 12 lbs. and stand 7-8" at the shoulders.

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 lbs. 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.

Colors

The Griffon comes in red, black or black and tan, with no particular color being more popular than the other.

Living Area

The petite stature of the Griffon makes it suitable for apartment size living. Although not very big, the breed does enjoy being active. However, because it has a strong attachment to its owner, it is a breed that prefers to stay close and does not do well when left outside for long periods of time.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, NKC, APRI

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