The Brussels Griffon is a happy little toy breed – bred to be a companion first and foremost. He is affectionate and loving to his owner, which he follows around like velcro. His tiny size makes him capable of living in all sorts of environments, as long as he is able to live inside the house with his people. Some members of the breed are incredibly laid-back while others have more energy, so it is important to find out the characteristics of the parents (and other relatives, if possible) if one is looking to own one of these little scoundrels. All members of the breed, however, are alert and curious.
The Griff comes in two coats – rough and smooth. The smooth is less work to groom, although they will shed seasonally. Wire coated dogs do not shed… but the dead hair will stay locked within the coat andwill need to be loosened out by brushing and/or bathing. Some owners choose to bring their wire coated Griff to the groomer every 3 months or so, while others have learned how to groom the dogs themselves. The correct way of grooming a rough Griffon is to hand-strip the coat rather than use clippers or scissors. Doing so will keep the correct wiry texture – which is a hallmark of the variety. Unlike some wire-haired breeds, the Brussels Griffon is not a hypoallergenic dog.
As cute as they are, many Griffs are difficult to housebreak. It can be done, but it will almost certainly take longer than average. Owners are advised to start crate-training early on, to help with the process. Obedience training, on the other hand, is something that the Griff takes very well to! These little toy dogs are very intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement. Although well-timed corrections can be used, the trainer must always account for the sensitive nature (and the tiny size) of this breed. There is a big difference between rough handling and the occasional correction when needed.
While not an excessive barker, the Brussels Griffon will bark when someone comes to the door. If the guest is allowed to enter by his owners, the Griff will hold back until he deems the situation safe. Almost always shy with new people, it may take him a while to warm up to strangers. This is true whether he is meeting people in or out of his home. While some shyness is expected, he shouldn’t freak out while scrambling to get away – this usually means that he wasn’t socialized enough as a puppy, but it might also point to his genetics.
Being timid by nature, these little dogs should never be teased or frightened on purpose. Their first instinct will be to try and flee the situation, but if that isn’t an option many will lash out as a last resort. For this reason, they do not make the best pets for families that have small children (under 5 years). As long as they are treated with respect, they will not try to hurt anyone. This is a reasonable request for a delicate dog to make.
The Griff enjoys the company of other dogs and therefore does fine living in multiple-pet households. Most of them do not realize their small size, however, and care should be taken placing them with large or giant breeds as they could be hurt accidentally while trying to “play with the big dogs”. Some boast a dominant nature around other members of the canine species – a trait which is even more likely to get them hurt.
Short-nosed breeds (the term is brachycephalic) need to be watched carefully in hot weather as they can overheat much faster than other breeds. In Texas, this means timing your walks so that the dog is not out exercising in 100+ degree weather! A short walk to go potty is one thing, but they shouldn’t be forced to walk long distances (or even be left outside for long periods of time) on very hot days. In less serious news, the short muzzle also means that the Brussels will indeed snore!
These little dogs are somewhat long-lived – usually reaching at least 15 years. The breed is fairly healthy although there are some genetic problems that occasionally crop up such as slipped knee joints, hip dysplasia and eye problems. Getting a puppy from a reliable breeder instead of a pet shop will go a long way to ensuring a healthier dog.
