How to Identify a Brussels Griffon Dog

The Brussels Griffon is a breed of dog hailing from Belgium. Unlike many species, this dog has been well adapted to city life from a very young age. The earliest recorded mention of the Brussels Griffon was in seventeenth century Brussels, where they were kept by cab drivers to rid stables of vermin. The Brussels Griffon is a toy terrier believed to have been heavily influenced by interbreeding with Yorkshire Terriers, Irish Terriers, and English Toy Spaniels. One such dog was featured several years ago in the film “As Good As It Gets,” which has since increased the popularity and subsequent demand for the difficult to find breed. Here is a guide on how to identify a Brussels Griffon dog.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Start by judging the dog’s size and weight. A Brussels Griffon will usually be no more than eight inches high at the shoulder and weigh between 6 and 12 pounds. This dog really is a toy. It should be square in proportion, about as long as it is tall. The tail should be docked, about an inch long and held high. The dog’s chest should be very deep and hang well below its front elbows.

2. Look at the dog’s coat. It should have a medium length, wiry coat with long fringes along the legs, chest, and belly. Griffons come in red, a mixture of red-brown and black, black and tan, and solid black.

3. Examine the dog’s head. This is the dog’s most telling feature. It should have an oversized head and a very round or spherical looking skull. The eyes should be large, lustrous and expressive. Its jaw should be extremely undershot in what one would call an under bite. Ears are triangular and very small, as is the nose. It should have fringes of fur on the cheeks and jaw which most people refer to as a “monkey face” but is likely the reason the breed was likened to a griffon, a mythical gargoyle-like beast, in the first place. If the dog matches this description then it’s a Brussels Griffon.

Tips & Warnings

• This is a very good dog for apartment life to such an extent that they should not be kept outside at all. They like to be pampered and are best described as a lap dog. They are relatively high strung and can become quite moody when they don’t get what they want, but this usually passes quickly and gives way to their typical sunny demeanor.
• This breed is very sensitive and should not be let around other animals or small children as they don’t take being handled roughly well at all. Breeding them can also be very difficult and will usually result in a C-Section for the female. Because they are so high strung they can be a big chore to house-train as well and will require a great deal of patience.

Resources

• List of Reliable Brussels Griffon Breeders