Brussels Griffon History

The Brussels Griffon was first seen in a show at the Brussels exhibition of 1880. The breed was known in the past to be carried by cab drivers to rid their stables of pests and vermin. The breed is thought to be a combination mix of past Yorkshire terriers and Irish Terriers. The AKC only sees the Brussels Griffons as a recognized breed, even though there are three types of Griffon breeds. The American standard for coloring can vary from either black to red. Today there are smooth coat Brussels and Rough coat Brussels. In Europe, the coat types are known to be shown with as different breeds without any intermixing. In America there can be mixing of coats and the breed would still be considered to be the same, Brussels Griffon. Today the Brussels Griffon is quite hard to find.

Brussels Griffons' Appearance

The Brussels Griffon is known to be a hardy little dog that is a member of the Toy Breeds. The breed has square proportions and an undershot jaw. The eyes are big and round and the nose is short and small. The Brussels has a mouth that some say looks like a boxer. The Brussels comes in two coat types, the rough or smooth coat. The Rough coat seems harsh and wiry, where the smooth coat seems short and glossy. The coloring of the coats can range from red, brown and black shades. In general, the ears are cropped and the tail is docked. Today the breed has been nicknamed monkey face because they almost carry a human like expression.

Brussels Griffons' Temperament

The Brussels Griffon is known to be a very cheerful dog with a pleasant expression. They are known to have a disposition that resembles that of the terrier. They have big personalities and will make wonderful family dogs. They are affectionate yet willful. They are lively and seem to love just about everyone but at times can become moody. The breed works best inside the home in a family environment and loves to be spoiled. The Griffon is known to fair well around other dogs and even cats! They can be picky eaters and hard to housebreak. They do best with consistent training and lots of positive reinforcement. These little dogs actually make great watchdogs and like to bark. The breed will be ok around children but need to be respected so older children who can understand how to treat an animal is preferred.

Brussels Griffon's Role

The Brussels Griffon is known to be a wonderful companion dog. They fair quite well with children and other dogs even cats! They are small so apartment living would be just fine. They are affectionate but at times can be a bit stubborn. They enjoy the companionship of humans and are known to be very charming. This breed would be perfect for an individual looking for a friend or a family looking for a lovable dog to keep the children company.