A tiny dog with a huge personality: meet the Brussels Griffon. Sensitive, smart and alert, Griffons are friendly, outgoing dogs who bond closely with their humans. Although you may have to give up your privacy if you have a Griffon, one look at that little smushed face and dark, soulful eyes and you won’t mind one bit. Surprisingly playful and energetic, ‘alone time’ isn’t in a Griffon’s vocabulary. Be prepared to stick close to your dog at all times. In return, you’ll get years of love and laughter from this loyal sidekick.
Brussels Griffon Facts
Brussels Griffons might be classed as tiny toy dogs, but they’ve got big personalities and big love to give. Growing up to 25cm tall and weighing up to 4.5kg these pint-sized pups are charming, loyal companions.
- Breed Group: Toy
- Height: 18-25cm
- Weight: 3.5-4.5kg
- Life Span: 12-15 years
- Coat: Double, short and smooth or rough
What Does a Brussels Griffon Look Like?
It’s hard not to fall in love with a Brussels Griffon on sight. From their small size to their smushed, Pug-like faces and fringed beard, it’s like they’re designed to make you say ‘aww’. This is helped by their wide-set, round, dark, soulful eyes and cute-as-a-button small folded ears.
A Griffon has a sturdy, compact body which trots purposefully - this is a dog that knows what it wants (your heart). Griffons come in 4 colours: red, black and reddish brown (beige), black and tan, and black. Their coats can be either smooth, straight and shiny or rough and wiry.
Brussels Griffon
Brussels Griffon Temperament: Playful Companion
A Brussels Griffon is going to be stuck on you - they bond fiercely to their humans and want to be wherever you are, whatever you’re doing. Forget about privacy with a Griffon, this dog is going to come to the toilet with you.
But with their friendly, outgoing personality, you won’t be mad about it. Griffons are sweet, well-natured toy dogs with a thirst for life way bigger than their size. Eager to make friends with every human they meet (and usually other dogs and even cats), they’re social butterflies and natural-born charmers.
Even though they’re small, Griffons are active, confident dogs who need a home environment where they’ll be physically and mentally stimulated. Griffons aren’t shy, retiring lap dogs. In fact, they can smash an agility course with the best of them! Training, especially early socialisation, is important for Griffons. It can also help curb their barking tendencies.
Their friendliness (they’re not known to be aggressive or biters) make them great family pets. They most suit homes with older children who can learn how to handle them gently, as dogs, not toys.
Keeping Brussels Griffons Healthy: 3 Issues to Watch Out For
A Brussels Griffon can live up to 15 years - these are typically hardy, healthy dogs. Regular vet check ups and preventative care (like nail clipping and teeth brushing) will help keep them happy and healthy for life.
Breathing Problems
Griffons are brachycephalic. This means their noses are flat. As well as giving them an adorably smushed face, it can cause breathing problems, especially when it’s hot. On hot days, keep them indoors with a fan / AC and ensure they’ve got a steady supply of fresh, cool water. Exercise them in the coolest parts of the day (early morning or late evening).
Joint Issues
Griffons are at risk of 2 joint issues: hip dysplasia and patellar luxation (kneecap dislocation). Both involve the joints not sitting in correct alignment, which can cause lameness, stiffness and pain. Keeping your Griffon at a healthy weight can prevent joint issues while treatment options include physical therapy and surgery.
Eye Problems
Brussels Griffon’s large, dark eyes are prone to developing eye problems, especially progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and cataracts. Although surgery can help with cataracts, there’s currently no treatment for PRA and it results in blindness. However, most blind dogs adapt well to vision loss and go on to live long, happy lives.
Caring for Your Brussels Griffon Dog
Days with your Brussels Griffon will consist of ensuring they’ve got plenty of opportunities to burn off their energy, be their best confident self, and spend quality time with you. Rough-coated Griffons don’t shed and smooth-coated ones have minimal grooming needs so there’s more time to hang with your favourite 4-legged pal.
Grooming
Smooth-coated Griffons need a weekly brush to keep their coat looking and feeling their best. During shedding season (spring and autumn), you’ll need to bump this to daily brushing to help get rid of dead hair you'll also find a deshedding tool will help. Baths every 2 months should help them stay smelling sweet.
Rough-coated Griffs don’t shed but hand-stripping them every 3 months will keep their coat healthy. Hand-stripping involves removing dead hair, either by hand or with a stripping tool. You’ll only need to brush rough-coated Griffons every few weeks to ward off tangles.
Most Griffons, whatever coat type they’ve got, are clipped short. You can do this yourself or get a professional groomer to do it. Whatever coat length a Griffon has, their distinctive beard should be kept long. Use a comb to gently get rid of any knots and keep it clean.
Final grooming includes regular nail trims and daily toothbrushing to keep their teeth and gums healthy and decay-free.
Nutrition
Brussels Griffon will do well on high quality commercial dog food that’s suited to their life stage (puppy, adult or senior). Toy dog breed-specific food is an option, because it’s nutritionally balanced to their size and the kibble is smaller, making it easier (and safer) for them to eat. Keep an eye on how much treats they’re enjoying every day as those calories can add up.
Exercise
A Griffon might be a toy dog but they have very real exercise needs - at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day will help them stay healthy and happy. Their outgoing personalities mean they love nothing more than a good play session, especially when it's with their humans. Games of fetch are fun for them and give them a good opportunity to stretch their legs and satisfy their surprising need for speed.
As they were originally bred to be hunters of mice and other vermin, they love activities that let them hunt or track. You could hide treats around the home or garden for them to sniff out or stock up on puzzle toys.
Team this play with a daily walk (as energetic or slow and sniffy as you or they would like) and you’ll have a happy Griffon.
Training Your Brussels Griffon
With their intelligence and eagerness to please their bonded human, Griffons are easy to train. Apart from when it comes to house training - they do have tiny bladders after all. Griffons are very sensitive and need plenty of patience and positive reinforcement. They won’t respond well to raised or harsh voices.
Socialising your Griffon from puppyhood is a good idea, as it’ll help them gain confidence around other dogs and people and develop their manners. As well as daily neighbourhood walks, puppy classes are a great way to socialise.
Brussels Griffons bond strongly to their humans and always want to be with their family. If they’re left alone for a long time, they can behave in unwanted ways, including excessive barking. If no one will be at home with them, consider a dog walker or doggy daycare.