Pawzy

Brussels Griffon

Share this breed
Brussels Griffon

Brussels Griffon Overview

Brussels Griffons are devoted, bearded little weirdos with swagger for days. With large, inquisitive eyes, a stocky build and a halo of scruff around their short muzzles, these dogs don’t need to do much to elicit a laugh. They are, after all, the Ewoks of the dog world.

Griffs come in a variety of shades and colours—black, red, black and tan, and black and reddish brown—with a texture that can either be smooth or rough. Brussels Griffons aren’t shy, but can be sensitive, which makes them incompatible with children who like to roughhouse. They’re easily trained and are very loyal - they love sticking by their human and don’t like being left alone for too long.

The Brussels Griffons’ history can be traced back to Europe, going back centuries. A Griffons-like pup can even seen in the 1424  Van Eyck’s portrait “Arnolfini Couple,” though it has a longer muzzle than today’s pouty-lipped Griffs. The origin story begins in the 1800s, in their namesake city of Brussels, Belgium. At the time, they were used to control the rat population in horse stables. Though there’s no official breeding records for Grifs, many believe they were mixed with Pug, English Toy Spaniels, the Belgian breed Brabancon and maybe even Yorkies. Brussels Griffons surged in popularity in the 1870s, when the Queen of the Belgian took an interest in the breed.

Did you know?

The Brussels Griffons got a moment in the Hollywood spotlight when a Griff named Jill co-starred with Jack Nicholson in the movie As Good As It Gets.

Brussels Griffon Stats

  • Kid-Friendly Kid-Friendly

  • Good with other animals Good with other animals

  • Easy to train Easy to train

ranking
Popularity ranking**
94
Small
Size
7-10 in / 8-10 lbs (S)
lifespan
Average lifespan
12-15 years
Jogger
Activity level
Jogger
Independent
Temperament
Independent
Vocal and protective
Barking level
Vocal and protective
Coat length
Short
Grooming
Frequent
Shedding
Medium

Caring for your breed

Daily serving

Daily kibble serving

1-2 cups

Daily exercise

Daily exercise

1 hour

Grooming

Grooming frequency

Brushed Regularly

Dog Food

Feeding your Brussels Griffon

The Brussels Griffon should be fed a high-quality dog food appropriate to its age, whether puppy, adult or senior.  Be careful of your Griff’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be great incentive in training, but be aware of how many you feed them, as too many can lead to obesity. Refrain from sharing table scraps and especially avoid cooked bones and foods with high fat content. Learn more about what human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. It’s important to talk to your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Always make sure your Brussels Griffon has fresh, clean water available.

Comments

Footnotes
*Contrary to popular belief, there are no 100% hypoallergenic dogs. There are breeds, however, that have non-shedding coats and are suited well to allergy sufferers.
**The breed popularity ranking is based on the most current ranking of the American Kennel Club (AKC)

Want some free advice?

By submitting your email address, you agree to receive communications from Pawzy, and you acknowledge and agree to Pawzy's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You can unsubscribe at any time by contacting us at hello@pawzy.co.