Dog Breeds > Brussels Griffon
The Brussels Griffon
The Brussels Griffon, named after a city in Belgium where it originated from, is a very loving and affectionate little dog. It was know for having an almost human expression and being a true lively house companion. This sweet little fellow could be your next best friend only if you know how to deal with its temperament.
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Fascinating Facts
The Brussels Griffon, also known for numerous names such as Bruss, the Griff, the Griffon Belge, the stable Griffon and so forth, resembles Ewok of Star Wars movies. It became a Belgian queen favorite breed in the 1870’s and the apple of the eyes of the Belgian elite. Although World War I nearly slashed and diminished the number of Brussels Griffons, the breed survived through the help of dedicated breeders.
Physical Appearance
The height and weight of an average Brussels Griffon is between 7 and 8 inches and typically between 7 and 11 pounds. They have generally small stature with medium-length straight boned legs. It has a round large head and a flat face with a domed forehead, short muzzle, very short up tilted nose, large wide-set black eyes with beautiful long eyelashes that gives them a human-like expression. The usual coat can be rough but can sometimes be smooth. The former coat can be dense and wiry while the latter is short, tight, glossy and straight. The coat colors of the Brussels Griffon include red, belge, black and tan.
Grooming
The two types of the Brussels Griffon’s coat, rough and smooth, are easy to care for. The rough coat needs to be brushed 2 or 3 times weekly and needs stripping every three months while smooth coat only needs occasional brushing to remove dead hair. Occasional bathing should also be given consideration in Brussels Griffon’s grooming.
Mood
The Brussels Griffon is a naturally intelligent and fun-loving dog. They portray a lot of personalities similar to humans and have amazing facial expression. They are usually attention-hungry for they love to have their owners’ full attention. Griffons are emotionally sensitive and they don’t like being left alone. They are much in to barking and bark on almost everything. Despite of having a cute a fragile look, they are fearless and boastful and possess a strong and powerful personality. People who spend more time at home, who can give almost all the attention for a little fellow like Brussels Griffon, would be the best owner of this dog.
With Children
The Brussels Griffon can get along just fine with kids and other pets given that they both grow and are raised together. They love to play along and can entertain the whole household. But they can also be untrustworthy with children and even with adults because they tend to have “Small Dog Syndrome” if they are treated as if they are little humans. They need to be socialized well in their very young age in order not to be so emotionally sensitive.
Training & Exercise
Since Brussels Griffon is a very active breed, they tend to be so hyper, always wanting to play aroundthere is no need to include this part. Training this breed could be a lot more challenging job. It is wiser to bring this dog to a breeder house train before taking it home. This dog should be walked daily and should be allowed to stretch their legs. It also needs daily mental and physical work out.
Brussels Griffons are good watchdogs as they are originally bred to hunt rats. Though one could experience difficulty in training this breed, it’s nice to know that they can be taught to perform tricks. Patience and having a confident tone are the keys to training this breed.
Health & Life Expectancy
The Brussels Griffon’s normal life span range to about 12-15 years. Though they have relatively long life expectancy, they have developed major reproductive problems. These breeds often times do not conceive and experience difficulty in giving birth. Most cases are Caesarean with only one to three puppies with 60 percent chances of living in its early weeks.
Lacerations could also be one of this breed’s health problems since they have large eyes and short snout. Stroke is also a major concern in Griffon’s health as their smashed face can cause serious respiratory problem when there is extreme hot weather. Glaucoma, cataracts, hip dysphasia and patellar luxation can also be a health threat to this breed.
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