Belgian Griffon
🧠 Temperament & character
The Belgian Griffon is lively, alert and self-confident – a little character with a big heart. He bonds closely with his people, is cuddly and wants to be part of everything. Towards strangers he sounds the alarm attentively, without being intrusive. Despite his size he needs clear, loving leadership, otherwise he can become quite headstrong.
📜 Origin & history
The Belgian Griffon arose, like his relatives, in 19th-century Brussels, where small rough-coated dogs hunted rats and mice in stables and carriage houses. Through crossings with, among others, the Affenpinscher and the Pug, three closely related varieties developed: the red Griffon Bruxellois, the black or black-and-tan Belgian Griffon and the smooth-coated Petit Brabançon. Belgian aristocrats, above all Queen Marie-Henriette, promoted the breed and made it fashionable. Today the Belgian Griffon is a rare but loyal companion dog.
✂️ Grooming, care & training
The Belgian Griffon's rough coat is not clipped but stripped (plucked) regularly, to preserve texture and colour; between stripping appointments occasional brushing suffices. The need for exercise is moderate: daily walks and play keep him fit. As an intelligent, sensitive dog he likes to learn but reacts sensitively to harshness – positive, patient training is the key. Puzzle games and small tasks keep his alert mind occupied.
🩺 Health
The Belgian Griffon has a life expectancy of about 12 to 15 years. Since he is slightly short-headed (brachycephalic), breathing and eye problems can occur, and births are often by caesarean because of the puppies' large heads. Patellar luxation and syringomyelia occasionally occur. Reputable breeders pay attention to breathing that is as free as possible, healthy eyes and examined kneecaps.
🏡 Who is this breed right for?
The Belgian Griffon suits people looking for a small, cuddly and characterful companion and who want to spend plenty of time with him. He is suitable for the apartment and for seniors, couples or families with older children. As a people-oriented dog he does not like being left alone for long. In Switzerland he is a pleasant, unobtrusive city dog who, because of his slight short-headedness, should be protected from heat in summer.