Brussels Griffon
A Belgian stable ratter with a face people keep describing as almost human. Small, and with no interest at all in being handled like a small dog.
Photo by andreaarden, CC BY 2.0
Overview
The Brussels Griffon started as a Belgian stable dog clearing rats and ended up in the laps of the Belgian aristocracy, which is a common path for small terriers and an unusually fast one here. It comes in a rough coated and a smooth coated variety, and the smooth is called the Petit Brabancon in some registries.
The face is the point: a very short muzzle, a prominent chin and large forward set eyes, giving an almost human expression.
Temperament
Bold, sensitive and demanding of attention. Griffons are affectionate to the point of being clingy, and they attach hard to one person.
They are alert and will bark. They are also emotionally sensitive in a way that surprises people, reading household tension and reacting to it. They are not a good match for very young children, and they can be timid without early socialisation.
Care and grooming
The rough coat needs weekly brushing and hand stripping a few times a year, and the smooth needs a weekly rub down. Neither sheds much.
The short muzzle brings brachycephalic airway problems, and the prominent eyes are vulnerable to injury and ulceration. Patellar luxation and syringomyelia also occur. Heat is a genuine risk.
Living and exercise
Thirty minutes a day plus play, and never in heat.
They suit flats and people who are home. Separation anxiety is common in the breed. Twelve to fifteen years is normal, and they are one of the more characterful small dogs anyone can own.
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