| Brussels Griffons: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Brussels Griffon personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Brussels Griffon, including these excerpts:
"Often described as "full of self-importance," the thickset, terrier-like Brussels Griffon is spunky, spirited, and comical.
His adept climbing skills, coupled with his curiosity and imagination, can get him into trouble. Be watchful that he does not end up too high, where he could fall and break his neck.
An alert watchdog, the Brussels Griffon may become friendly with guests or remain cautious or even shy with new people and new situations. Socialization is a must to promote a confident, stable temperament.
Most Brussels Griffons are fine with other family pets, but if they perceive an invasion of their space by a strange dog, they can display great ferocity, though it is mostly bluff and bluster.
The Brussels Griffon has a clever mind of his own and without a firm hand can be demanding and manipulative.
Training him to walk calmly on a leash may take time and patience, for he can be obstinate and may pitch a fit of acrobatic leaping and flinging himself about.
If you can chuckle at some of his eccentricities yet remain firm about the general rules of the household, the Brussels Griffon is very pleasant to live with.
Like most breeds of terrier heritage, he is proud and sensitive and may become defensive if handled harshly or teased."
History
The Griffon originated in the city of Brussels, Belgium, a cross of ratting terriers, pugs, and toy spaniels. He hunted vermin in the stables and accompanied the livery drivers on their horse-drawn carriages.
Size
8-12 inches and 8-12 lbs |
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Brussels Griffons
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is small and easy to carry, yet sturdy
- Looks like a little terrier
- Comes in a rough wiry coat (most common) and a short coat
- Doesn't shed too much (rough coat only)
- Is spunkier than most toys
- Takes himself very seriously (which can be amusing to watch)
- Makes a keen watchdog
- Doesn't need a lot of exercise
A Brussels Griffon may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- The fragility of toy breeds (see below)
- Stubbornness (a mind of his own)
- Excitable barking when strangers or strange dogs approach
- Regular trimming of the rough wiry coat
- Housebreaking difficulties
- Waiting lists (hard to find) and a high price tag
A Brussels Griffon may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Brussels Griffon... |
My major concerns would be:
- Fragility. Too many people acquire a toy breed puppy without understanding how incredibly fragile a toy breed is. You can seriously injure or kill a Brussels Griffon by stepping on him or by sitting on him when he's curled under a blanket or pillow, where he frequently likes to sleep. And Brussels Griffons can seriously injure or kill THEMSELVES by leaping from your arms or off the back of your sofa. A larger dog can grab a Brussels Griffon and break his neck with one quick shake. Owning a toy breed means constant supervision and surveillance of what's going on around your small dog. Brussels Griffons must always be kept indoors, in a safely fenced yard, or on-leash -- they are just too easy to injure when not under your complete control.
| Brussels Griffon puppies are NOT suited to children, no matter how well-meaning the child. Children cannot help being clumsy, and that a child meant well is little solace to a Brussels Griffon puppy who has been accidentally stepped on, sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. Even Brussels Griffon adults may feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making -- and stress and shyness (even defensive biting) may be the result. |
- Mind of their own. Brussels Griffons are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and can be manipulative. Some Brussels Griffons are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
- Suspiciousness and barking. Some Brussels Griffons will put on a display of excited ferociousness (i.e. they "pitch a fit") when other people or animals approach what is THEIRS. It's not funny, because if you don't curtail it, your Brussels Griffon may end up suspicious of everyone in the world, which is a short step to biting.
- Grooming. To keep their wiry coat free of mats, Rough Brussels Griffons require regular brushing, and also clipping and trimming every few months.
- Housebreaking. Toy breeds are almost always difficult to housebreak. It is so easy for them to sneak behind a chair or under a small table, and it takes only a few seconds for the deed to be done. The results can be hard to see. When you don't see it, you don't correct it -- and so the bad habit becomes established. If you hope to housebreak a toy breed, consistent crate training is mandatory. Toy breeds should not be loosed in the house for many months, until their small internal organs become strong enough for reliable control.
- Finding one and paying the price. In the United States, only about 1200 new Brussels Griffon puppies are registered each year. (Compare that to over 60,000 new Golden Retriever puppies!) Many breeders charge $1000 or more, which they explain is to cover expensive C-section births, tiny litters, and a high puppy mortality rate due to birth defects and failure to thrive.
| Not all Brussels Griffons are alike! |
- There are energetic Griffons, and placid Griffons.
- Hard-headed Griffons, and sweet-natured Griffons.
- Serious Griffons, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Griffons, and Griffons who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Brussels Griffon puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Brussels Griffon... |
There are plenty of adult Brussels Griffons who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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