Brussels Griffon: temperament, size, care and health

About the Brussels Griffon

The Brussels Griffon is a small, thickset dog with a domed head, a very short upturned nose, large dark eyes and a jutting chin that gives it a serious, almost human expression. It is a squarely built toy, sturdy beneath its coat, with a high-carried tail that is usually docked in countries where that is allowed. The breed has two coat types, a rough-coated version with a beard and a smooth-coated version, which is called the Petit Brabancon in Europe.

The Griffon was developed as a stable ratter and then became a cab-driver's companion and a pet of the city. Today people keep it for its small size, its sharp personality and its tendency to attach tightly to one person or family.

Temperament and family life

Griffons are famous for being sensitive, quick to react and deeply attached. A typical dog follows its owner constantly, reads moods well and prefers company to independence. It can be comical and proud, with an air of self-importance that suits the face.

The same sensitivity makes it a poor fit for noisy, chaotic homes or rough handling. Young children can frighten or injure it, and an unhappy Griffon may snap. Many are reserved with strangers and may bark at unfamiliar sounds. Griffons usually coexist with other dogs and cats, although they may be bossy with larger dogs. Long hours alone can lead to separation anxiety.

Exercise and training

Exercise needs are small. A couple of short walks plus indoor games meet most of the dog's needs, and some enjoy light agility or trick training. They should avoid hot, humid weather and strenuous activity because of the short muzzle, and a harness is a better choice than a collar for walks.

The Griffon is intelligent but can be stubborn, and it responds to calm, upbeat training far better than to scolding. House training is often slow and requires strict routine, with frequent trips outdoors and sometimes a dog door or indoor option for bad weather. Early socialization helps prevent shyness and reactive barking.

Grooming and shedding

The rough coat is a hard, wiry type that sheds little. To keep its texture it is traditionally hand-stripped a few times a year, and owners who prefer not to clip it, which softens the coat and changes its color, may use a groomer experienced with the breed. Weekly brushing and combing of the beard prevent tangles. The smooth coat is easier, requiring only a weekly brushing, and it sheds somewhat more.

Wipe the face folds and keep the large eyes free of debris. Trim the nails, check the ears, and brush the teeth often, since crowding in a short jaw encourages dental problems.

Health

The short muzzle can cause breathing difficulty, snoring and heat intolerance. The large, prominent eyes are prone to scratches and corneal ulcers, and other eye diseases such as cataracts can occur. Patellar luxation is common, and a serious neurologic condition called syringomyelia, in which fluid-filled cavities form in the spinal cord, is reported in the breed. The narrow pelvis and large head make births difficult, and cesarean sections are common.

Responsible breeders check eyes, knees, heart and hearing and may use MRI for syringomyelia. This is general information about the Brussels Griffon, and a veterinarian is the person to ask about a particular dog.

History

The breed developed in Brussels in the nineteenth century from a small rough-coated stable dog kept by coachmen to kill rats. It is generally believed that these dogs were crossed with the Pug and the King Charles-type spaniel, which produced the short face, the rounder head and the smooth variety. A fashion for the breed among Belgian society, including royalty, spread its popularity across Europe and to North America. The two world wars cut its numbers sharply, and it was rebuilt from a small foundation.

Is the Brussels Griffon right for you?

A Griffon suits a quiet household with an adult who is home often and who wants a small, expressive companion. It is a good dog for apartments and for owners who enjoy close, even clingy, attention.

It is a poor match for families with young children, for people who work long hours away, or for owners who cannot cope with house-training challenges. Similar toy breeds include the Affenpinscher, which is wirier and bolder, and the Pug, which is more relaxed. The Pekingese has a comparable flat face but a more dignified, independent character.