Griffon Bruxellois

The Griffon Bruxellois is a dog originating from Belgium that was bred for hunting mice and rats on farms. It is a small sized dog, with a fresh and fun appearance, and a cheerful and playful personality.

General details

The Griffon Bruxellois dog breed is small in size with an average weight varying between 3.5 and 6 kilograms and a height of about 20 centimeters. Life expectancy is between 12 and 15 years. In addition, they belong to Group 9 according to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), which groups companion dogs.

Breed history in brief

This breed of dog originated in the city of Brussels, Belgium, at the end of the 19th century. It developed from the mixture of several breeds, mainly the Affenpinscher and the Smousje, a local breed. These two groups of dogs were very common among mine workers at the time and were known for their intelligence and their ability to hunt rats in the mines. Today, they are one of the most popular and beloved dog breeds. They are small, cheerful and affectionate dogs that make excellent pets. They are very intelligent and playful, making them excellent companions for adults and children.

Breed characteristics

It is a small breed with a well-proportioned and robust body. Its head is broad, with a short muzzle, prominent nose and large round eyes. Its small ears can be cropped and shown pointed and erect, or if they are natural, they are kept semi-erect. The tail is usually carried raised but not curled. Its coat is silky and soft, with a slightly rough texture. Its coat can be smooth, tufted or completely wavy with a soft, dense undercoat. Characteristic colors of this dog include red, brown, black and white. The Brussels Griffon has a cheerful and affectionate temperament. They are intelligent, loyal and very easy to train. They are known to be very curious and have a great ability to learn tricks. This breed also has a great sense of humor and can be very shy at first, but then become very affectionate.

Common health problems

Among the diseases this breed is most likely to suffer from are muscular dystrophy, hypothyroidism, osteochondritis, von Willebrand's disease, Addison's disease, autoimmune thyroiditis and patellar luxation.