Brussels Griffon

The Brussels Griffon is a toy companion dog that originated in Belgium. It is a small dog with a sturdy build, typically weighing 3 to 5.5 kg and standing 18 to 25 cm at the shoulder. The breed is recognised for its short muzzle, large dark eyes, and an expressive face that many owners compare to a person or an Ewok.

Two coat types occur within the breed. The rough coat is wiry and dense, while the smooth coat is short and glossy. Both types share the same compact body and the same temperament. The breed is affectionate, playful, sensitive, curious, and intelligent, and it tends to bond closely with one or two people in a household.

This is a dog that wants to be near its owner most of the day. It is alert and will announce callers, which makes it a capable little watchdog despite its size. It does not do well left alone for long stretches and can become anxious without regular contact.

Who it suits

The Brussels Griffon fits people who want a small dog that stays close and joins daily routines. It works in flats and houses alike because exercise needs are moderate. The breed suits owners who are home often or who can bring the dog along. Homes with very young children are less ideal, since the dog is small and dislikes rough handling. People who are out of the house for long days should weigh the breed's tendency toward separation anxiety before committing.

The breed traces to the city of Brussels in Belgium during the 1800s. Coachmen and stable keepers kept small wiry terrier-type dogs, known locally as Griffons d'Ecurie or stable griffons, to control rats in stables and coach houses. These working ratters are the foundation stock for the modern breed.

During the middle and later part of the century, breeders crossed these stable dogs with other toy breeds. The Pug contributed the short muzzle and the smooth-coated variety, and the King Charles Spaniel is generally credited with adding to the rounded head and dark eyes. These crosses moved the dog from a working ratter toward a refined house companion.

The breed gained favour at the Belgian royal court. Queen Marie Henriette took an interest in the Griffon during the late 1800s, and her attention raised the dog's profile among the public and helped fix its status as a fashionable companion. Brussels Griffons appeared in Belgian dog shows by the 1880s.

The breed reached Britain and Ireland around the turn of the twentieth century, and today it is registered here through the Irish Kennel Club. Numbers fell sharply during the two world wars, and the breed has remained relatively uncommon since, kept going by dedicated breeders rather than by mass popularity.

The Brussels Griffon is small and thickset for its size, with a square, well-balanced body. The head is large and rounded relative to the body, and the muzzle is very short. The eyes are large, round, and dark, set well apart, and they give the breed its noted expressive look. The ears are small and set high, carried either erect or semi-erect. The tail is set high; docking and ear cropping are not permitted under Irish and EU practice.

Coat and colours

The breed comes in two coat types. The rough coat is hard and wiry with a dense undercoat and should not be soft or silky. The smooth coat is short, straight, and glossy and lies close to the body. Recognised colours are red, belge (a mix of reddish brown and black), black and tan, and solid black. The smooth-coated variety is sometimes called the Petit Brabancon in some registries. Both coat types are shown under the same breed standard apart from coat texture and grooming.

The Brussels Griffon has a large personality in a small frame. It is affectionate and devoted, and it usually attaches to one or two people, following them from room to room. The breed is curious and playful, and it enjoys interaction and games throughout the day.

The dog is sensitive and reads its owner's mood closely. Harsh corrections or a tense household can make it withdraw or become nervous. With strangers it is often cautious or aloof at first and may bark to announce new people, which makes it a good alert dog. Early socialisation helps it settle around visitors.

With other pets the breed generally does well when raised together, and it can live alongside cats and other dogs. Its small size and dislike of rough play make it better suited to homes with older children than with toddlers. The breed does not tolerate being left alone for long and can develop separation anxiety, so it needs an owner who is present or who can arrange company during the day.

Grooming

• Rough coat: brush two to three times a week to prevent mats, and hand-strip or clip the wiry coat every few months
• Smooth coat: brush weekly with a soft brush or rubber mitt; sheds more than the rough coat
• Clean the facial folds and around the eyes regularly to prevent moisture buildup and irritation
• Trim nails every few weeks and check ears for wax and odour
• Brush teeth several times a week, since small breeds are prone to dental disease

Exercise

• Provide 20 to 30 minutes of activity per day through short walks and indoor play
• Break activity into shorter sessions rather than one long outing
• Use puzzle toys and brief training games to meet the breed's mental needs
• In the damp Irish winter, a light coat keeps a short-coated Griffon comfortable on the footpath

Environment

The Brussels Griffon adapts well to flats and small homes. It is an indoor dog and should not live outside. The flat face makes it sensitive to heat, so keep it cool and ventilated on the rare warm day. Damp and cold also chill a small dog quickly, so it is best kept indoors as a house companion. The breed prefers steady company and a calm, predictable routine.

The Brussels Griffon does well on a complete diet formulated for small or toy breeds. Small-breed kibble has a size that suits the breed's small mouth and short jaw. Because the breed is small and not highly active, calorie needs are modest, and portions should be measured to prevent weight gain. Free feeding is not recommended. Fresh water should always be available.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to no more than about 10 percent of daily calories, since extra calories add up quickly on such a small dog. Use small training treats or pieces of the daily kibble for reward-based work. Most Brussels Griffons on a complete commercial diet do not need supplements. Discuss any joint, skin, or dental supplement with your vet before adding it.

The Brussels Griffon is generally a healthy breed with a typical lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Most health concerns relate to its flat face, its small size, and a few inherited conditions. Buying from a breeder who screens breeding stock lowers the risk of several of these problems. Routine veterinary care supports a long life.

Preventive care

• Keep core vaccinations and parasite prevention current
• Schedule annual exams, and twice yearly for senior dogs
• Maintain a lean body weight to ease joints and breathing
• Brush teeth regularly and arrange professional dental cleaning as advised
• Choose a breeder who screens for patella and eye conditions

The Brussels Griffon is intelligent and picks up commands and tricks readily. The main training factor is its sensitivity: the breed responds poorly to harsh tones or punishment and may shut down or become anxious. Short, upbeat sessions hold its attention better than long drills. House training can take patience, which is common among toy breeds, so a consistent schedule and crate routine help. Early socialisation with people, places, and other animals reduces the breed's natural wariness of strangers.

Basics

1. Start socialisation and gentle handling in puppyhood
2. Teach name, sit, and come with food rewards in quiet settings
3. Set a fixed house-training schedule and reward outdoor success
4. Introduce crate time gradually to build comfort with being alone
5. Add lead manners and recall in low-distraction areas first
6. Keep each session to about 5 to 10 minutes and end on a win

Brussels Griffons reach sexual maturity within the first year, but responsible breeders wait until the dog is physically and mentally mature, usually around 18 to 24 months, and has passed health screening for patella and eye conditions. Females are bred only after the body is fully grown.

Gestation lasts about 63 days, as in other dogs. Litters are small, commonly one to three puppies. Because the breed has a large, round head, whelping can be difficult, and a proportion of litters are delivered by caesarean section. A breeder should plan for veterinary supervision around the due date.

Newborn puppies are small and need a warm, draft-free whelping area and close monitoring of weight gain. The dam usually cares for the litter well, but the small litter size and small puppy size mean each puppy must be watched. Puppies stay with the dam and littermates until at least 8 to 12 weeks, which supports healthy social development before going to new homes.

How to register a Brussels Griffon in Ireland

Get the profile sorted first: your Brussels Griffon's name, his date of birth, a photo, and your phone number, saved in a couple of minutes. The record is free for the whole of his life, and the chip number slots in whenever the vet has done his part. Dog registration is where it starts.

Lodge your Brussels Griffon's fifteen digit number with United Pet Club and the chip finally earns its keep: free registration for life, every brand accepted, and a record the ISPCA or any warden can turn into a phone call. Microchip registration takes minutes, and the free account covers the profile while you're at it.