Brussels griffons are impertinent and friendly footling dog with tons of personality , perfect for family or family of just about any sizing — including those with other heel or cats . Learn more about living with Brussels griffons .
The Brussels griffon is a bang-up little pal of a frank with personality plus . Smart , loyal , eager to please and ready for a good shoo-in , this breed is agreat kinfolk dog . Brussels griffons come with two case of coats : a quiet pelage , which ask little grooming , or the grating coat with a distinctive whiskers and shaggy hair , which hashigher grooming needs .
Like all flat - face breed , the Brussels griffon is susceptible to a number of respiratory circumstance , and there are a few other wellness concerns to be aware of before owning one . Overall , though , this stock cook a loyal and tender companion , and it ’s easy to see why thebreed is so popular .
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Appearance
Part of thetoy group of breeds , the Brussels griffon is a dry pint - sized companion who seldom gets taller than 10 inches and weighs around 10 pounds . Rough - surface Brussels griffons are bonk for their rather hipster - bet beard and longer shaggy-haired pelt , but the smooth - coated type has short haircloth and count a short morepug - like .
Brussels griffons total in cherry-red , blackened , black and tan , or belge — a premix of black and reddish - dark-brown . Their eyes are typically black , with child , and expressive , though occasionally blue eye do appear in the breed .
Temperament
Lorene Vickers - Smith , AKC - accredit breeder and author ofThe Brussels Griffon : An Owner ’s Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet , distinguish live with Brussels Brussels griffon as unbelievable .
" My dogs are passing loving , " she says . " Theyfollow me around , and as soon as I sit down they climb onto my lap covering . They prompt their behavior off my moods and are very perceptive . "
Brussels Gyps fulvus have a lot of energy and arehighly reasoning — mean that they areeasy to trainand are well - suited to obedience andagility sportswoman . As long as you ’re willing togive them a good walkand plenty of playday , they should be mellow at home despite their up-and-coming personality .
They’regood with children , other dog , and family computed axial tomography — but you should be careful of favorite rabbits , gnawer , and birds because their terrier instincts mean theyhave a potent prey drive .
" They ’re super friendly , keen family line dogs , and very adaptable to lots of the great unwashed , " Ali Mason , DVM , a medical omnibus withPathway Vet Alliance , says . " The Brussels griffon is just a keen frump in general . "
Living Needs
The Brussels griffon is well - accommodate to reasonably much any living situation . Sure , afenced - in yardto lead around in would be prissy , but it ’s not all important .
" They’regood apartment dogs , but they do still need afair amount of exerciseto keep them in shape , happy , and stimulated , " Mason say . This could mean a duet of 30 - bit walk per Clarence Day , orplaying ball insideor at thedog parkif you do n’t have a yard .
These dog are easygoing and conform well to the energy level of their owner .
" They enjoy lie around on a pillow being pampered like royalty , but on the other paw they ’re ready to go if you want to go for a walkway or do anything . They need to be part of your family , " Vickers - Smith articulate . " They ’ve got the zip Togolese Republic on retentive hikes , but they like lazing around too . "
Because these wienerwurst are so attached to their owners and need to be with them all the time , separation anxiety can be a problem . Brussels griffons are probably not the strain for you if you require to give your pets alone for extended periods .
Care
preparation needs vary for the two type of this breed . The smooth - surface Brussels griffon requiresonly a weekly brushingand theoccasional bathroom , except duringseasonal shedding(usually in the spring and the fall ) when day-after-day bushing is advise for the calendar week or so that it takes for them toblow their pelage .
The rough - coated Brussels griffondoes not shed muchbut does have slightly higher grooming needs . To stay neat and tidy , that adorable beard and shaggier hair need clip by either a groomer or by their owner . And this type of coat will do good from more frequent brush .
Mason says griffonsneed their teeth brushed day by day , as their facial structure make them more predisposed toperiodontal disease . " They also needyearly dental cleaningunder anaesthesia , " she advises .
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Regular physical exercise is a must if you want to keep your Brussels griffon healthy . Unfortunately , with toy breeds who are happy to just snuggle on a lick , it may not be obvious that they do want to get out and take the air . Mason says this breed has atendency to put on weightwithout that regular exercise .
Socially , Brussels griffon bang their multitude but will mirthfully play with other dogs too . They ’re friendly and companionable , and just make out being wherever their possessor is , in any billet .
other and consistent trainingwith Brussels gryphon brings flying rewards .
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" All these dogs think about is how they can please you , so if you do the work from an former age they ’re easy to train withlots of positive reinforcement , " Vickers - Smith enounce .
mansion trainingcan be tiresome , but Vickers - Smith cautions that often owners have unrealistic expectations . " People are n’t considering how hard it is for a young firedog to hold their vesica at that geezerhood , or how modest that vesica must be . "
Health
That adorable smushed - in face that Brussels griffon have makes them susceptible tobrachycephalic syndrome , which can guide to external respiration yield ( and can mean that your dog will snore ) . " That can cause a wad of problems , and they may need surgery to ready their elongated soft roof of the mouth , open up their airways , remove obstructor , and help them breathe easier , " Mason says .
Griffons may also have issues with their knees . " They can getluxating patella , where their kneecap can slide internally and pop out of place , " Mason state . " This does n’t always need surgery to set up , but a stack of times Brussels griffon become overweight and then it canlead to arthritisand secondary knee ligament rift . Sometimes in this case operating theatre is required , but a circle of fourth dimension this shape can be medically wangle with us keep them slim and combat-ready and giving themjoint supplement . "
Cataractsare one of several potential Brussels griffoneye problems . The stock can also be prostrate tohip dysplasiaand heart murmurs . All of these are issues that reputable Brussels griffon breeders will screen for .
Despite this list of likely topic , keep in mind that your griffon might not suffer from any of them . " They ’re fundamentally middling darn hardy andpretty healthy dogs , " Vickers - Smith say . " But it ’s always wise to ask your stock breeder dubiousness about these issuing in their frankfurter ' lineage . "
History
Griffons got their start as puke - catchers , according to theAmerican Brussels Griffon Association ( ABGA ) . The Brussels griffon as we know it was first bred in Belgium in the mid-1800s , when the local terrier - type dogs were bred with various other breeds . Out of this come the straight - faced and bearded Brussels griffon , and so begin the breed ’s journey from working dog to loyal little comrade .
The breed was favour by the Belgian court in the 1870s , and that regal stamp of approval guide to a rush in popularity . The dogs were export around Europe and to the U.S. , where the Brussels griffon receive AKC identification in 1910 .
