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Brussels Griffon
Toy Breed Dogs
Small Breed Dogs



Manufactured Dog Food VS Home Cooked Food
The food that you feed to your dog will have a direct impact on their health. Whether a young puppy who needs great nutrient to properly grow, an adult who needs to maintain weight and energy levels or a senior who can has a sensitive digestive system.

In addition, the choice you make can directly impact behavioral issues, such as eating grass or feces.
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What you MUST Know Before Getting a Puppy
Forget about the normal list that everyone writes about..."puppy proof your home", "choose the right breed".  The information you must know, goes MUCH deeper than that. This is information that no one talks about, the behind-the-scenes info you really should know before you make your choice....Click to Read More
Average Height: There is no specified height for this breed
 Average Weight: 8 - 10 pounds (3.62 - 4.53 kg)
 Pronounced: BRUH-shulls grif-FAHN
 Group:  AKC Toy
 Life Span: 15 Years
 Average Litter: 2
 Origin: 19th century Belgium

Description

The Brussels Griffon has a delightful flat-face, prominent chin and large, wide-set eyes which gives this dog an almost human expression; specially when the dog is shaved to a short coat. It is normal for this breed to have an undershot, which means that the incisors of the lower jaw protrude out and over the upper incisors.  The lower jaw is prominent, fairly broad and with an upward sweep.  However, the tongue and teeth do not show when this small breed dog's mouth is closed...if AKC standards are met.

The body is very square and sturdy, many compare Brussels Griffons to Boxers, but of course, much smaller. The front legs are set wide apart and the thighs usually show strong muscles. In the United States, the tail is docked to 1/3 length.  Many countries have laws which prohibit tail docking.

Colors

The AKC accepts  9 colors or color combinations: Belge (This is a mixture of red, black & white hairs), Black, Black & Tan, Red, Blue, Brown, Chocolate, Tan and Wheaten (A wheat hue, similar to fawn).

Coat Types

There are 2 coat types wtih the Brussels Griffon.  Rough and smooth.  The rough coat is wiry and dense.  The smooth coat is straight, short, tight and shiny.

Personality
Known for intelligence, being very alert and also sensitive to its owners voice, actions and its environment, the Brussels Griffon is one unique dog. This dog breed normally gets along very well with children and with other pets in the home, seeming to always love to have company around.  A deep curiosity about the world, mischievous and very playful, this breed makes for a wonderful canine family member.

Origin & History
Commonly misspelled as Brussel Griffon, (leaving out the "s"),  this breed was developed in 19th century Belgium.  At that time, coachmen kept small wire-coated, terrier type dogs in their stables as ratters (to chase down rats and mice).  Those dogs had been developed from the German Affenpinscher and some general "street" dogs.  Other breeds were also used including the Pug, King Charles and the Ruby Spaniel.  As these dogs were all bred together, the result was the 2 different coated Brussels Giffon dogs.

They were accepted into the AKC in 1910.

Health
This particular breed is a prone to : Hereditary eye defects (such as cataracts- where the lens of either 1 eye or both becomes clouded) , luxating patella (a dislocation of the dog's knee) and hip dysplasia (a hip joint that loses its ability to fit properly into place).
The Senior Brussels Griffon

Once this dog reaches the age of 7 or 8, an owner must be careful about weight gain.  This commonly happens due to a decrease in activity level. For this reason,  daily walks should be provided, even if you must walk slower.  It will be time to switch to a senior dog food for correct nutrition.  An orthopedic bed should be used, as arthritis may begin to set in.

Exercise

This lively breed enjoys lots of play time and loves going for walks.  Happy living in any sized home, due to its small size, a good jaunt once or twice a day will keep the Brussels Griffon happy and content.  If not enough exercise is given, this can led to behavioral issues as the dog will have stored up energy but no release. 

Shedding

The smooth coat has a seasonal shed and the rough coat will shed less, it will happen over time and not all at once. Females may have a deep shed after having a litter of pups.

Grooming
It is much easier to manage the smooth coat type.  This just needs a jugular brushing every other dog to keep it looking fresh and healthy.  During the shedding season, more regular brushings and baths will be needed. 

For the rough coat, aside from regular brushings, the coat needs to be hand-stripped or trimmed about every 3 months.  Hand-stripping this dog (without scissors or clips) is important if the dog is to be shown in an AKC conformation event.

What is hand stripping?  This is when you use a special grooming "knife". You pinch the hair between your thumb and the knife and pull it up through the coat. This takes out loose fur from the undercoat without actually trimming down the whole body.

Care and Training

Being very small, this breed does need care differently than a larger dog and one must be aware of possible health issues, some of which need fast reaction from the owner.
In addition, due to its very amusing personality and sometimes pent up energy, this dog can have quite a few odd and quirky behavioral issues. Proper training will led to a happy canine family members.

If you are thinking about getting a puppy, you may wish to read some important information about purchasing a puppy. Just click here.

If you already own a Brussels or other toy dog, you may wish to click here for more detailed are information.

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