Brussels Griffon Quick Facts:
* The result of breeding the Pug and King Charles
* Named for the city of their origin, Brussels, Belgium
* Nicknames: Griffon, Griff, Brussbrussels griffon brownbrussels-griffon
* Popular in late 1800’s, almost extinct during WWII
* Used to eliminate rodents in stables
* First entered the Westminster Dog Show in 1902.
* Lifespan 12-15 years
* Rumored to be George Lucas’ inspiration for the Ewoks in Star Wars
* Generally considered an uncommon breed
Brussels Griffon Appearance:
* Face has human-like expression
* Can be rough coat or smooth coat
* Comes in red, a mix of red-brown and black, black and tan and solid black
* Flat face (looks like Ewok from Star Wars)brussels-griffon2
* Should be muscular and compact
* Weighs about 8-10 pounds
* Coat is dense and wiry, little or no shedding, considered one of the hypo-allergenic dogs
Brussels Griffon Temperament:
* Known to have a “big heart”
* Bonds with one person usually, loves to snuggle with it’s masterbrussels griffon black
* Not best dog for family because of it’s tendency to bond with one person
* Unhappy if left alone – a true “Velcro dog”
* A generally happy dog with a terrier personality
* Can be difficult to housebreak
* Good with other dogs and cats
Brussels Griffon Potential Health Issues:
* Cleft palate (can be fatal for puppies)
* Cataracts as dog ages
* Glaucoma common
Brussels Griffon Special Needs:
* Can’t be left outside for periods of time; due to their short snout, heat stroke is a major concern
* Have large, relatively unprotected eyes that can be a target for damage from foreign objects
* Can have complications giving birth and often needs Cesarean Section