Brussels Griffon Breed: Your Complete Guide

The Brussels griffon, also known as the griffon bruxellois or griff, is a small dog breed characterized by human-like, expressive faces and the distinctive beard in the rough-coated type.

Despite their small size, Brussels griffons have playful personalities. They are adaptable dogs, suitable for a wide range of individuals and families. These dogs make excellent companions for those who want a tiny dog yet live an active life.

Like other dog breeds, there is much to cover about the Brussels griffon. Our article will discuss everything about the breed’s characteristics, temperament, trainability, and care needs.

Quick Look at the Brussels Griffon

The chart below is a quick summary of the Brussels griffon. Read on to learn more details about the breed, from temperament to family life.

What Is the History of Brussels Griffons?

As the name suggests, the Brussels griffon originates from Brussels, Belgium. The Brussels griffon and similar terrier-type dogs were kept by Belgians to keep stables free of rodents. This breed descends from similarly appearing rough-coated dogs native to Belgium.

It is believed the ancestors of the Brussels griffon were bred with black pugs and the English toy spaniel in the late 19th century. Through selective breeding, current breed standards of the Brussels griffon were established. The first Brussels griffons were imported to the US in the early 1900s, and the AKC recognized the breed in 1910.

The population of Brussels griffon declined dramatically in the early and mid-1900s due to WWI and WWII. The breed survived with the efforts of British breeders, and Brussels griffons started to gain more popularity in the 1950s.

Today, the Brussels griffon’s primary duty is companionship. They aren’t particularly popular in the US, ranking at 97th place in AKC’s list of most popular dog breeds. Still, it is a common breed among the toy group.

What Do Brussels Griffons Look Like?

The Brussels griffon has smooth and rough-coated variations. The smooth-coated type has short, glossy fur. The rough type has a wiry coat, and the hair around the eye, chin, and cheeks tends to grow longer.

The Brussels griffon comes in four colors: black, belge (black and reddish brown), black and tan, and red. The smooth-coated type appears similar to the pug, and the rough-coated Brussels griffon resembles a schnauzer in a smaller frame.

Aside from its coat, this tiny breed is recognized for its human-like facial features. They have large, round eyes that give them an alert expression. These facial features of the breed inspired the creation of the Ewoks from the Star Wars universe.

What Size Is a Brussels Griffon?

The Brussels griffon is a small dog breed, typically standing 7 to 10 inches tall and weighing between 7 and 10 pounds. There isn’t much variation in the breed’s size. It is uncommon to see a Brussels griffon exceeding the given height and weight.

Although these dogs pack a small frame, their body is quite sturdy. You’ll definitely notice the confidence in their walk coming from their rodent-hunting lineage. The Brussels griffon isn’t your typical lap dog and tends to act bigger than its size – always ready for play and adventures.

What Is a Brussels Griffon’s Coat Type and Length?

As mentioned, the Brussels griffon has two coat variations. The smooth-coated type, known as petit brabancon, has short hair with a glossy texture. This type of Brussels griffon sheds minimally and their small size makes it very manageable.

The rough-coated type, known as griffon belge, doesn’t shed and is somewhat hypoallergenic – at least easier on those suffering from pet allergies. These Brussels griffons need grooming more often than the other variety. They also need regular haircuts every few months.

What Is a Brussels Griffon’s Temperament?

The Brussels griffons are affectionate companion dogs that often bond strongly with one family member they call their special human. They have a sensitive nature that responds best to positive training methods. Any harsh corrections may break their trust in humans. This sensitive nature also makes them prone to separation anxiety.

While some of these are typical in toy breeds, the Brussels griffon has an energetic personality. These dogs won’t say no to playtime when offered and won’t get tired easily.

Despite this energetic and playful personality, the breed is very trainable and eager to please. Teaching basic commands and house rules takes less time and effort than many other toy breeds. Yet, they can be difficult to housetrain because of their small bladders.

Overall, this dog breed has a personality bigger than its body. They are adaptable dogs that love spending time with their humans, whether it is cozy cuddling sessions or fun-filled activities.

Are Brussels Griffons Good With Kids?

The Brussels griffon is a good family dog that does well with kids. They make the perfect small furry friend for active children and will always be up for playtime.

However, they are less tolerant of rowdy behavior. Children in the family must respect their space, and supervision is key to prevent accidental injuries due to their small size.

Are Brussels Griffons Good With Other Animals?

Similar to children, the Brussels griffon is generally easygoing with other pets in the family. They aren’t prone to showing aggression to dogs or cats but aren’t suited for homes with prey animals, such as hamsters and birds. This is largely due to the breed’s rodent-hunting origins in the stables of Brussels.

While the Brussels griffon does well with pets in the family, the breed may display aggression towards strange animals. Early socialization is critical to ensure they are gentle and friendly towards dogs they will meet during walks.

Are Brussels Griffons Aggressive?

The Brussels griffon doesn’t have aggressive tendencies. The breed is affectionate and very playful. It is uncommon for them to display territorial behavior or guard resources.

However, the sensitive nature may make the Brussels griffon act defensively when teased or felt under threat. Despite their small size, the Brussels griffon isn’t shy to take action in these situations and may bark or growl towards other dogs or people.

Do Brussels Griffons Bark?

The origins of the Brussels griffon make the breed ideal for watchdog duties. They aren’t overly vocal about everything but will alert their pack by barking after spotting something strange. This can be anything from people walking by the window to strange noises like the doorbell or car honks.

Due to their watchful nature, the Brussels griffon may be prone to barking excessively. Luckily, they are eager to please and can be taught not to bark in most cases. This makes the Brussels griffon an ideal dog breed for apartment life, especially if there are noise restrictions.

Are Brussels Griffons Affectionate?

Brussels griffons are very affectionate and thrive on human companionship. As long as their people are around, they will happily engage in all kinds of activities. These small dogs can be a lap dog one moment and a playful ball of fur the next.

This affectionate nature isn’t reserved for their humans. They quickly warm up to strangers. You can expect a Brussels griffon to toss their favorite toy in front of someone they’ve just met to initiate play.

While these are excellent traits for many, Brussels griffons tend to be quite clingy dogs that follow their owners everywhere. Additionally, they don’t take being left alone lightly and are prone to separation anxiety.

Are Brussels Griffons Intelligent?

Brussels griffons are intelligent dogs that understand human gestures and emotions well. They are adaptable to different living conditions, but exposure to new situations may stress this breed.

With rodent-hunting origins, the Brussels griffon is an alert breed with a curious personality. Puzzles and interactive games are a must to keep this breed happy and mentally stimulated.

This intelligence – with their eagerness to please – also means they are easy to train. You can teach a Brussels griffon basic commands quickly and gradually introduce more advanced tricks like roll over or crawl.

Are Brussels Griffons Energetic?

The Brussels griffon is a medium-to-high-energy dog breed. This can be a great trait to have in a small dog for active individuals and families. They are always up for play and wouldn’t say no when offered.

As with every dog breed, the Brussels griffon requires daily walks and regular play sessions to stay healthy and happy. Since they pack a small body, it isn’t demanding to get them exercised sufficiently.

A similarly energetic, large dog would require more physical exercise, but the Brussels griffon doesn’t need anything extensive. Daily walks of 30 minutes, coupled with indoor play sessions, are enough to ensure a Brussels griffon is exercised adequately for the day.

Are Brussels Griffons Easy to Train?

Brussels griffons are intelligent and alert dogs that are eager to please their owners. These traits alone make them great for various training types. You can have a Brussels griffon puppy, begin basic obedience training immediately, and cover a great distance.

This toy breed excels at any training suitable for their small frame. Some of the best sports to step into advanced training with a Brussels griffon are the AKC Rally and Obedience Trials. These are excellent for their obedient and active personality.

While the Brussels griffon is easy to train, note the breed is quite sensitive. These dogs don’t handle harsh punishment or yelling lightly. They thrive on human companionship and respond best to positive reinforcement training. Provided, training a Brussels griffon should be an easy task, even for novice dog owners.

Are Brussels Griffons Good Watchdogs?

The ancestors of the Brussels griffon were kept to sweep rodents free from stables. They have watchful eyes and a tendency to alert their owner by barking, making them good watchdogs.

Although Brussels griffons don’t have a loud or powerful bark that makes potential intruders think again, they will let you know if there’s anything out of the ordinary. As courageous as they can be, this doesn’t mean Brussel griffons make good guard dogs with their small size.

Are Brussels Griffons Good Service Dogs?

Although Brussels griffons are exceptionally intelligent and absorb training like a sponge, they aren’t ideal for service dog work due to their small size. They are companion dogs that do best with human interaction.

Service dog duties may be challenging to uphold, but Brussels griffons make excellent therapy dogs with their playful nature. Many Brussels griffons visit various places to provide emotional comfort. You can see them entertaining children in hospitals or seniors in assisted living facilities.

These also make the Brussels griffon a great fit for ESA work. With their intelligent and attentive spirit, these tiny dogs are sure to come near and comfort their owners through companionship.

How to Care for a Brussels Griffon?

Like every dog, Brussels griffons need attention from their owners to live a healthy life. They need daily walks and playtime to stay physically fit.

Since this breed is smart, activities that stimulate them mentally are a must to keep them occupied. Otherwise, they may get bored and engage in destructive behavior or excessive barking.

The sensitive nature of the Brussels griffon doesn’t take being left alone lightly. If your life circumstances require leaving your home dog alone, early crate training to reduce separation anxiety is essential to ensure their emotional well-being.

Aside from these, Brussels griffons need socialization during puppyhood, basic obedience training, an appropriate diet, regular vet visits, daily walks, and other typical things every dog requires.

Do You Need to Groom a Brussels Griffon?

The Brussels griffon’s coat requires some upkeep. They need baths only when dirty or build up an unpleasant smell. However, how often to groom them depends on the coat type.

The smooth-coated type needs regular brushing and combing. This coat type sheds very little, and a simple brushing daily should be enough to maintain their coat.

The rough-coated Brussels griffon should be brushed daily to prevent matting. While the smooth-coated type doesn’t require any, the rough-coated Brussels griffon needs haircuts every few months.

Particularly with the rough-coated type, the hair around the eye needs to be kept short to prevent tear stains. As this will need to be done more frequently than full-body haircuts, it is best for Brussels griffon owners to learn general canine grooming to take fewer trips to the groomer.

Do Brussels Griffons Shed?

As mentioned, the Brussels griffon sheds, but it depends on the coat type. Only the smooth-coated Brussels griffons shed. However, it is nowhere near a fur storm as they shed minimally, and their small size makes managing shedding periods easy.

However, this doesn’t mean they are suited for people with allergies. Even a tiny amount of dander is enough to trigger allergic reactions. If you have pet allergies, consider the rough-coated Brussels griffon, as this coat type doesn’t shed and is considered hypoallergenic.

What Health Problems Do Brussels Griffons Have?

The Brussels griffon is generally a healthy dog breed. Still, there are some canine health problems the breed is prone to, such as:

• Hip dysplasia
• Retinal atrophy
• Cataracts
• Medial patella luxation

As with any other breed, regular checkups at the vet is essential to take preventative measures against the common diseases Brussels griffons face.

How Long Do Brussels Griffons Live?

Genetics, environment, diet, physical health, and many other factors have a say in a dog’s lifespan. Nonetheless, the Brussels griffon has an average lifespan between 12 and 15 years.

What Should a Brussels Griffon Eat?

The best way to provide these small dogs with enough nutrients is by feeding them dog food for small or toy breeds. Besides kibble, you can mix canned food in their diet and give commercial treats as a reward. Also, consider varying their diet by feeding them occasionally dog-safe fruit and vegetables.

Is a Brussels Griffon the Right Dog for Me?

The Brussels griffon is a toy breed that thrives on human companionship. These small dogs have alert personalities and are eager to please their owners.

With their playful nature, they suit families with active children. However, they do best in homes where they won’t be left alone since they are prone to separation anxiety.

Although Brussels griffons aren’t low-maintenance, their care needs are pretty low. They need regular brushing, and the rough-coated types need occasional haircuts. The care needs of the Brussels griffon are manageable to most aspiring dog owners, which makes it an ideal choice of dog breed for many.

As with any other dog breed, it is critical to compare the characteristics of the Brussels griffon with your life circumstances to determine if it is the right dog breed for you.

We’ve covered a great deal about this toy breed recognized with its expressive faces. Be sure to read the key points covered in the article to make an informed decision.