Origin: Belgium

Height: 7-8 inches at the shoulder

Weight: 6-12 pounds

Exercise Needs: Moderate

Grooming Needs: Low

Life Expectancy: 13-15 years

Good With Kids: No

Trainability: Medium

Best-known for his role in the 1997 movie, “As Good As It Gets,” starring Helen Hunt and Jack Nicholson, the Brussels Griffon has been gaining recent popularity as a very intelligent and personable companion animal. Possessing an almost human appearance and personality, this little dog is sweet, sensitive, and incredibly loving, making him an ideal pet for single pet owners. Think a Brussels Griffon puppy may be just the dog you’re looking for? Join us as we take a closer look at this fascinating little dog:

Back in the early 1800’s, vermin was a common problem in the stables - not only did they eat and soil in the livestock‘s feed, but they also ran the risk of spreading illness. In order to combat this, coachmen would customarily keep small terrier-type dogs with them, where these game little canines would keep the rats at bay. Much like the Affenpinscher dog, in appearance, these little stable dogs would come to be known as Griffons d’Ecurier, which meant “wire-coated stable dogs). Believed to be a cross between the German Affenpinscher and Belgian street dogs, the true origins of these foundation dogs remain a mystery to this day.

As time progressed, experimentations with the breed would be conducted and he would eventually be crossed with breeds such as the King Charles Spaniel, the court-favored Pug, and the Ruby Spaniel. While he maintained his plucky attitude, small stature, and great intelligence, the Brussels Griffon gained several things from the crossbreeding. He would inherit an almost human look about his face from the Spaniel blood, and a wider variety of colors. Also from all of the crossbreeding, two distinct varieties of the dog would emerge; the wire-coated and whiskered rough, and a smooth-coated variety who would be named the Brabancon, in honor of “La Brabonconne,” the Belgian national anthem.

The Brussels Griffon is also known by several other names, including the Belgian Griffon, the Griffon Belge, Griffon Bruxellois, Small Brabant Griffon, and the Petit Brabancon.

There are 3 distinct types of Brussels Griffon: the wire-coated rough Griffon, the smooth-coated Brabancon, and a throwback to his English Toy Spaniel ancestors, a variety of Griffon that often emerges as a web-footed and either tailless or kink-tailed Griffon (also acceptable by the breed standard). Regardless of the type, however, these unique little dogs have similar qualities which link them together, including the distinctive upsweep to the lower jaw, a highly domed skull, and up-tilted nose. It is often said that their intense little eyes and pouty expressions make them resemble humans and this distinctive look remains a part of the breed standard.

The Brussels Griffon is a toy breed, weighing no more than 8-10 pounds as an adult, and can be found in one of four colors: The red is a reddish-brown shade with a sprinkling of black allowed along the chin and whisker area. The beige is a mixture of black and reddish brown hair, intermingled, and commonly has a black mask and whiskers. The third color is the black and tan; a black dog with reddish-brown markings found above each eye, around the edges of the ears, under the chin, on the legs, and around the vent. The final color is the black which is to be solid black, with no white markings. The only exception to this is the gray or silvering hairs that can often be found on the muzzles of elderly dogs.

It is said that these little dogs are filled with self-importance. In truth, they are very human-like in their personalities, as well as their looks, and can often be very self-conscious and shy with strangers. If scolded, the Brussels Griffon will sulk or pout, and it is not uncommon for these unique little dogs to have a mischievous streak either. Once the Brussels Griffon warms up to you, however, he is usually a very loyal and affectionate little friend. Like many terrier-type dogs, however, he must always be watched around larger dogs, as he tends to overestimate his own abilities and will often challenge dogs much larger than himself.

A busy little dog, the Brussels Griffon does enjoy an active lifestyle, despite his small stature. A short walk in the park or a little bit of chasing the ball down the hallway will usually do the trick however so, while he does like to be on the go, his exercise needs are not too strenuous. In addition to walks, the Brussels Griffon also enjoys gentle games of tug-o-war and the opportunity to chew on rubber toys, so he is capable of entertaining himself if left alone for short periods of time.

Both the wiry rough-coated Brussels Griffon and his smooth counterpart, the Brabancon, require little grooming in order to keep them looking nice. For the Brabancon, a soft-bristled brush can be used once a week, just to remove any dander or dead hairs, and to help distribute the dog’s natural oils through his coat. The rough-coated Brussels Griffon will also enjoy being brushed in such a fashion, though you may find that a comb will work best to free any tangles from his whiskers. Fortunately, with the Brussels Griffon, the rougher the coat, the better - which tends to mean less tangles and snarls for you.

While the whiskers of the Brussels Griffon can be trimmed lightly in order to make his appearance neat, there should be no heavy scissor-cutting or clipping performed on this dog. In fact, such a look is severely penalized in the show ring, according to the breed standard. The Brussels Griffon is a scruffy little ratter and his appearance should reflect this. Many say that it’s the wild little beard that makes this little charmer so endearing.

Aside from basic coat care, you will also want to carefully clip your dog’s toenails every few weeks in order to keep them at a healthy length. If you are unsure as to how to do this, consult your veterinarian for assistance. Bathing the Brussels Griffon should only be need to be done once a month unless he gets into something particularly smelly or dirty.

It takes patience to train a Brussels Griffon. While he is a very intelligent little animal, the Brussels Griffon puppy has just enough of the terrier in him, to make him a very independent little dog. While they don’t mean to be inattentive, they commonly are busy paying attention to everything that is going on around them, making them seem distracted, and they don‘t take well to scolding or punishment.

Crate training is the best means of housebreaking these wonderful little dogs and obedience lessons are highly recommended, teaching him to focus more and pay attention to you. Using the treat reward method also works very well to help keep his attention on you, just be careful not to over-use treats - only give them for appropriate behavior.

Like any purebred dog, the Brussels Griffon is subject to a variety of health concerns. When deciding to choose a new Brussels Griffon puppy, check around with several breeders and ask about the various health issues that can affect these personable little dogs. A reputable breeder should be well-versed in the health concerns and should be able to give you more details, as well as showing you the sire and dam of your potential puppy, as well as giving you a glimpse at their other Brussels Griffon puppies (preferably from the same litter). Some of the health problems that can affect Brussels Griffons include:

• Subluxated patella
• Elongated soft palate
• Eye injuries and ulcers of the eye
• Difficulty whelping and high puppy mortality
• Hydrocephalus
• Congestive heart failure
• Collapsing trachea
• Degenerative disk disease

The Brussels Griffon is an excellent pet for the right person, but careful thought must be given as to whether or not you are the right individual for this little dog. Fiercely independent and notoriously headstrong, the Brussels Griffon puppy can be difficult to train and requires a great deal of patience. Due to their small size and their excitable nature, they are not an ideal family dog, particularly if you have small children and, with a combination of small litter size and a high mortality rate with puppies, a Brussels Griffon puppy usually sells for a minimum of $1,000.00. If you aren’t bothered by a high price tag and you are willing to invest the time and affection with this little individual, however, the Brussels Griffon may be the perfect dog for you…and you may be just what he’s looking for too!

Shawna L. Krautheim

2007