Brussels Griffon

History & Health

History

During the early 1800s, coachmen in Belgium kept small, wire-haired terrier-type dogs to manage the rodent population in their carriage stables. They were then known as "griffons d'ecurie", which translates to "wire-coated stable dogs." It is thought that the Pug (a Victorian favorite in Britain) was crossed with these humble native Belgian terriers in the mid-1800s, producing a smooth-coated dog called the "Brabancon, after the Belgian national anthem. Around the same time, the King Charles and Ruby varieties of the English Toy Spaniel were also added to the mix, creating two distinct coat types: a harsh, heavily-whiskered rough coat and a smooth coat, both in a rich red color. Together, the native Belgian griffons and the English Toy Terriers, with their big heads, prominent dark eyes and short faces, forever changed the previously rough-and-tumble barn ratter into a beloved companion dog.
In the 1870s, this breed became a favorite of the Belgian queen, Henrietta Maria, which gave them royal patronage and elevated their social status. Brussels Griffons were the darlings of the Belgian elite, and efforts were undertaken to breed them to become even more exaggerated in appearance, with flatter faces and smaller stature. It is unclear which breeds were crossed to accomplish these breed changes, but it is thought that the Affenpinscher, Pug, Yorkshire Terrier, King Charles Spaniel and Dutch Smoushond may have contributed. Regardless of the crosses, the result was the modern Brussels Griffon, which has a shorter and flatter face than its ancestors and is an immensely appealing little dog that retains is favored status as a companion despite the fact that it is no longer needed to hunt vermin or entertain royalty.
The American Brussels Griffon Association was founded in 1945. The breed standard was approved by the AKC in 1960, after it went through several revisions. The parent club was accepted for AKC membership in 1982. The American Kennel Club is the only large all breed registry that recognizes only the Brussels Griffon; in Europe, there are three small Belgian terriers which are virtually identical in history but differ in coat type and color: the Brussels Griffon (rough red), the Petit Brabancon (smooth of any color), and the Griffon Belge (rough of any color but red).

Health

The Brussels Griffon has a relatively long life expectancy, with ten to fifteen years being usual. However, it has developed significant reproductive problems. Bitches in this breed often do not conceive, and when they do they tend to have difficulty giving birth. Caesarean deliveries are common, litters are unusually small and newborn puppies are often delicate. Often there is only one puppy, with an average mortality rate of 60 percent in the first few weeks. They also may have a breed predisposition to refractory corneal ulceration, cataracts, hip dysplasia and patellar luxation.

Temperament & Personality

Personality

The Brussels Griffon is a toy breed that developed in the streets of Brussels where they hunted rats. Small, with highly expressive faces, the Brussels Griffon looks like a fragile little "purse dog," but even though they fit nicely in a hand bag, they are sturdy and fearless, boasting the ability to climb like a cat. They enjoy being the center of attention and are often described by owners as hams and clowns. They get along fine with kids and other household pets, as long as they are raised together.
Griffons love attention and affection and dislike being left alone. They tend to thrive in the homes of empty-nesters or the elderly because these families have the time to devote solely to these attention-hungry dogs.

Activity Requirements

As with other toy breeds, the Griffon can live just about anywhere. Apartments, condominiums, houses, even farms are suitable for this breed. Though they are small, they do need to be walked daily, and if possible, be allowed to stretch their legs and run when possible.

Trainability

Training a Griffon can be challenging. They are stubborn and like to do thing on their own time. Putting a leash on a Griffon can be exasperating, they have been known to leap and flip around, trying to remove themselves from the tether. Patience and an even, confident tone are needed when training this breed.
Though the initial training stages can be challenging, once leadership is established and a reward system put in place, Griffons excel in advanced obedience and agility training. Competitive activists are great for this breed because they love the attention and the opportunity to perform for a crowd.

Behavioral Traits

As with most small dogs, Griffons are prone to barking. They will bark at people, other animals, cars, bikes, and even the weather. Early, consistent socialization and training to obey commands to stop barking are important for the sanity of everyone in the home, as well as those who live nearby. They will also posture toward other dogs, but their barking and tantrum-throwing rarely results in anything other than a lot of noise.
House training is a long process with Griffons, and many owners believe their dogs simply refuse to follow a training program out of spite. It might be wise to have a breeder house train a Griffon before bringing him home.
Brussels Griffons are prone to separation anxiety, which usually results in excessive barking when left alone. People who work long hours are not the best fits for Griffons, as they crave constant attention and affection.