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- Good with other animals
- Easy to train
Caring for your breed
Daily kibble serving
1-2 cups
Daily exercise
1 hour
Grooming frequency
Brushed Regularly
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.