Brussels Griffon Health Care & Feeding
By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Breed Selection Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
Start your Brussels Griffon off on the right foot by feeding the right food, giving the right vaccinations, finding the right vet, and if you're going to spay or neuter, don't do it too early.
Jump down to this list of
Brussels Griffon Health Problems
Or check out my advice for raising a healthy Brussels Griffon puppy or adult dog:
Dog Health Care – The Sensible Way
Read my advice on daily health care so your Brussels Griffon lives a long, healthy life and seldom needs to see the vet... [read more]
3 Best Ways To Feed Your Dog Healthy Food
You can dramatically increase your dog's chances of living a long, healthy life by feeding the right food. Cutting right to the chase, the best foods for your Brussels Griffon are... [read more]
A Quick Way To Make Homemade Dog Food
Your Brussels Griffon will love real chicken, turkey, beef, fish, eggs, yogurt, broccoli.... this is not just "people food" and I'll tell you why... [read more]
5 Best Kibble and Canned Dog Foods
Some are better than others, but I must be honest – I'm not a huge fan of dry or canned dog food. Here are my concerns... [read more]
Vaccinations and Booster Shots: Needed or Not?
How many vaccinations does your Brussels Griffon puppy really need? Does your adult dog need yearly booster shots? The vaccination guidelines have changed! Find out what some vets aren't telling you... [read more]
Spaying Your Female Dog: Pros and Cons
Should your female Brussels Griffon be spayed? Current research says, "The AGE at which you spay can be vitally important to your dog's future health." So what's the best age? [read more]
Neutering Your Male Dog: Pros and Cons
Have you been told that you must neuter your male Brussels Griffon? Current research shows that the issue is not so simple. Pet owners are not being told about some risks associated with neutering male dogs, especially neutering too early... [read more]
Make Sure Your Vet is the Best!
Is your current veterinarian really the best choice for your dog? Here's how to tell... [read more]
Assisi Loop Review
Does your Brussels Griffon suffer from arthritis, hip dysplasia, disk disease, colitis? My honest review of a veterinary device you can use at home to reduce inflammation and pain. [read more]
Complete list of Brussels Griffon health problems
The leading health issue in toy dogs is injury: fractures, concussions, choking on small objects, being attacked or jumped on by a larger dog.... you must keep a Brussels Griffon under constant surveillance and leash/arm control. Too much can happen to these little guys in the blink of an eye.
Unfortunately, this fun-loving little breed has a deformed structure (domed skull, shortened muzzle, protruding eyes) that can cause a lot of health issues. All Brussels Griffons suffer from some degree of brachycephalic syndrome, which is associated with respiratory problems and all kinds of eye problems, especially corneal ulcers and cataracts that can cause blindness.
The American Brussels Griffon Club conducted a health survey that found a nearly 50% C-section rate for Brussels Griffon litters in the United States. The puppy mortality rate is high – on average, one puppy out of four dies due to birth defects or fragility.
Several orthopedic diseases are common in the Griffon, including hip dysplasia. The Orthopedic Foundation of America evaluated the hip X-rays of 100 Brussels Griffon hips and found over 45% dysplastic. That's just dreadful – the 7th worst rate of all breeds.
Luxating patella (loose knee joints) and luxating shoulder occur, as well.
Allergies cause itchy skin and can lead to pyoderma.
Other health issues in Brussels Griffons include epilepsy and occasionally hydrocephalus and syringomyelia, which are devastating neurological diseases related to the dome-shaped head.
Brussels Griffons are also prone to dental disease and harmless episodes of reverse sneezing.
Preventing health problems
Some health problems are inherited. For example, if your dog inherits from his parents the genes for an eye disease called PRA, he will go blind and there's nothing anyone can do about it.
But most health problems can be prevented by the ways you raise your dog.
FREE eBOOK! My free online health care program, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy shows you how to raise your Brussels Griffon in all the right ways that help prevent health problems. Become your dog's health care champion!
About the author: Michele Welton has over 40 years of experience as a Dog Trainer, Dog Breed Consultant, and founder of three Dog Training Centers. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs.
My best-selling books – now available FREE on my website
Respect Training For Puppies: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved puppy is for puppies 2 to 18 months old. Your puppy will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. Click here to read for free.
Teach Your Dog 100 English Words is a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will teach your adult dog to listen to you and do what you say. Click here to read for free.11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy helps your dog live a longer, healthier life. Get my honest advice about all 11 Things before you bring home your new puppy, because some mistakes with early health care cannot be undone. Click here to read for free.