Fun Brussels Griffon Facts For Kids

Brussels griffons are small sturdy terrier-like dogs that originated in Brussels, Belgium. In Europe, this dog breed is called griffon Bruxellois. The Brussels griffon dog breed was used in farms for their hunting skills to kill rats and mice in stables.

Brussels griffon dog breeds come in two varieties, rough-coated and smooth-coated. This breed was created by cross-breeding several dog breeds including toy spaniels, pug, and the Affenpinscher also known as the monkey dogs.

The Brussels griffons got the size and the wiry hair from the Affenpinscher linage, the Toy Spaniel contributed to the round head, large eyes, and jaw structure. The pug parent influence is mostly visible in the smooth-coated Brussels griffons.

The Brussels griffon coat comes in several colors like red, blue or reddish-brown, black and tan, or black. The size of the full-grown Brussels griffon dogs also varies greatly with some only growing to six pounds and some reaching the weight of twenty pounds.

Like many other toy breeds, house training a Brussels griffon may be a difficult task. Brussels griffon puppies have high grooming and maintenance requirements.

Brussels griffons require at least thirty minutes of exercise and activity every day in form of walks or play. This is an active dog breed that can get its exercise indoors or within a small space.

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Brussels Griffon Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Brussels Griffon?

The Brussels griffon is a mix of various dog breeds. Their lineage can be traced to German affenpinscher or the monkey terrier, pugs, and Belgian street dogs.  The rough-coated Brussels griffon is thought to have been first bred in the 17th century with an almost human-like face.

These dogs are friendly, affectionate, playful, and make good watchdogs. A Brussels griffon is a sturdy dog breed that does not suffer from too many health problems and doesn’t require a frequent veterinary visit.

Like most toy breeds, Brussels griffons are also apartment-friendly pets. The behavior of Brussels griffon puppies varies greatly with some being excessively shy and some showing hyperactive behavior. Training the Brussels griffon dog breed may not be a very simple task at hand.

Energetic, affectionate, spunky, comical, sensitive, and sweet, this dog breed has self-confidence like terriers and a caring nature like spaniels.

What class of animal does a Brussels griffon belong to?

Brussels griffons belong to the class Mammalia and give birth to live puppies.

Before owning a dog of this breed an owner should know certain Brussels griffon information and facts to avoid inconvenience later. Brussels griffon puppies do not like to be alone.

These dogs are ideal for homes where someone is always there to keep them company. A Brussels griffon is an ideal dog for someone who has retired or is working from home, can carry the dog to work.

How many Brussels griffons are there in the world?

It is difficult to say exactly how many Brussels griffons are there in the world. They rank 98 of 197 in the AKC’s breed popularity list.

Where does a Brussels griffon live?

Brussels griffons are indoor dogs. The energy level of this breed is high but they can play inside an apartment and go for short walks to fulfill their exercise requirements. These toy dogs are good companions for apartment dwellers as well as suitable pets for homes with small backyards.

Brussels griffons do well in moderate temperatures. Griffons should not be exposed to too much heat. Dogs with short noses are vulnerable to heatstroke. Their short hair makes them vulnerable to the cold.

What is a Brussels griffon's habitat?

Brussels griffons can live in small homes as well as big ones and do not require a lot of outdoor time.

A Brussels griffon puppy can be considered a big personality in a small package. The black muzzle and whiskers on the Brussels griffon’s face have earned this breed the nickname bearded dogs in olden times.

Brussels griffons are alert, energetic, and friendly. These dogs can be highly sensitive and need careful handling. They need company, laughter, and love to avoid being lonely, depressed, and going inside their shells. Brussels griffons do well with grownup children than smaller ones who may engage in rough play and irritate the dog.

Brussels griffon rescue dogs can also make wonderful companions. Once trust is established with a rescued griffon dog, it will be the most loyal, affectionate, and pet for life.

Who do Brussels griffons live with?

Brussels griffons live inside their homes with their human families. This breed usually can coexist well with other dogs and pets. They make wonderful companions and also take part in dog shows.

Being affectionate and sensitive dogs, they usually bond closely with one person. These toy dogs love to snuggle and be loved.

How long does a Brussels griffon live?

A Brussels griffon’s life span is from 12-15 years.

How do they reproduce?

The Brussels griffon puppy mortality is high. A Brussels griffon litter may have one to eleven puppies. Brussels griffon litters are usually small and often need cesarean sections.

What is their conservation status?

Brussels griffons are well-loved pets and their conservation status is listed as of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.

This dog breed was exported from Europe to America in the early 1900s. The griffons achieved instant popularity and are an AKC-recognized dog breed taking part in dog shows.

Brussels Griffon Fun Facts

What do Brussels griffons look like?

Brussels griffons come in two varieties one with a rough coat and the other with a smooth coat. The rough-coated Brussels griffon’s coat has wiry hair. The dense coat is coarse and not silky. This breed of griffon has slightly longer hair on the head, cheeks, and chin, and around the eyes compared to the body.

Smooth-coated Brussels griffons have a straight short, and a glossy coat. There’s no wiry hair at all and the coat lies close to the body of the dog. Brussels griffon’s eyes are very expressive and human-like.

They come in four colors. Red, black, brown, and tan. The smooth coat breed is said to inherit its hair from its pug ancestors.

The black muzzle and whiskers of the hairy-faced Brussels griffons have earned them the name bearded dogs. The facial hair accents like the fringed beard and the mustache covering the dog’s short muzzle make a Brussels griffon puppy look like an intellectual thinker. Griffons have a thickset and sturdy body that moves with the trot and confidence.

How cute are they?

Brussels griffons are cute and cuddly dogs just like toy poodles. They are essentially indoor pets and should not be left alone in the backyard for hours. This breed of dogs loves to cuddle and spend time with their owners. They prefer sleeping in the bed with their human family and would follow their favorite person everywhere.

How do they communicate?

Griffons have a strong personality and do not like to be forced to cuddle, or to sit on someone’s lap. They dislike being hit, chased, and may snap and growl if cornered or irritated. These dogs are not suitable pets for homes with very young children that may engage in rough play or forceful hugs and kisses.

Lovingly, this small breed is often called the velcro breed because it will stick to its owners at every possible chance. It will sit on your lap, sleep on your feet, with you in your bed, and wait for you while you are in the bathroom.

How big is a Brussels griffon?

Brussels griffons are small-sized dogs that weigh from 8-10 lb (3.6-4.5 kg). They are about eight times lighter than greyhounds with a weight of 60-88 lb (27.2-40 kg). Brussels griffons are also four times shorter than greyhounds that are 28-30 in (71.1-76.2 cm) tall.

How fast can a Brussels griffon run?

Brussels griffons are not meant to run and do not have great running speed. The running speed of these pets has not been recorded.

How much does a Brussels griffon weigh?

The weight of Brussels griffons is in the range of 8-10 lb (3.6-4.5 kg) just like Chipoos.

What are the male and female names of the species?

A male Brussels griffon is called a dog and a female is called a bitch.

What would you call a baby Brussels griffon?

A baby Brussels griffon is called a puppy.

What do they eat?

A Brussels griffon puppy needs a high protein diet to fight illness and for strong bones and muscles. The diet of a puppy of this breed should include 25 % of protein regularly.

Adding rich fats to the dog’s diet helps in keeping the Brussels griffons coat healthy and silky. 10-15 % fat in their diet helps these dogs to remain active.

Some carbohydrates are also an essential part of a griffon’s diet. Some human foods that can be occasionally given to a Brussels griffon milk, turkey, pork, apples, ham, watermelons, carrots, and cucumbers. Foods to avoid in a Brussels griffon’s meal are avocado, garlic, chocolate, and citrus fruits.

A griffon puppy should be fed three to four times a day until the age of six months and twice a day thereafter. The amount of food depends on age, weight, health conditions, etc.

Are they slobbery?

Brussels griffon puppies have a low drooling tendency. If a Brussels griffon puppy drools too much it may indicate some health conditions that need attention.

Would they make a good pet?

Brussels griffons make wonderful small pets and are good for families that live in small homes or are not too fond of outdoor activities. Depending on what kind of dogs you like, you can choose between a rough-coated Brussels griffon and a smooth-coated Brussels griffon.

House training a Brussels griffon may need loads of patience and knowledge about what is the best way to train these small dogs. Consistency, daily routine, balance, lot of praise is the answer for training a Brussels griffon.

Many Brussels griffon breeders expect owners to purchase a crate or exercise pen that can be used for housebreaking the dog before bringing a dog home.

The intelligent but sensitive breed has personalities that vary from dog to dog. The answer is to know your dog before giving training. Griffons will not respond to shouting, temper, rough handling, or hitting. They require mental stimulation and variety in their training routine to stay interested.

Training methods can include treats, love, and praise. Many breeders encourage Brussels griffon owners to use puppy Kindergarten classes to training their dogs.

Did you know...

Rough-coated Brussels griffons shed differently. The smooth-coated version sheds more during seasonal changes.

Brussels griffons enjoyed the patronage of the Belgian royalty and were upgraded from the status of rat-hunters in stables to the elite pooch status.

Brussels griffons can be called grumpy-faced stalkers as they continuously follow, and stare at their favorite human. They are attention grabbers and confident dogs with human-like expressions and mannerisms.

Characteristics and health issues

Otherwise a healthy dog breed, Brussels griffons suffer from some health conditions common to most dog breeds like hip dyspepsia, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy.

These short nose dogs may have some unique problems related to breathing difficulties. Too much exercise and heat should be avoided as that can lead to loud breathing, heatstroke, coughing, fainting, fainting, etc. They can also develop other health problems like flatulence from too much intake of air, pneumonia due to food in their airways, etc.

Getting your own Brussels griffon

Brussels griffon puppies cost an average of $1500-$2000 USD if you buy them from good and reliable breeders. The toy dogs look small but are full of complex human-like personalities.

Brussels griffons need regular grooming and combing of the beard and coat. Without regular brushing, the dog’s coat will look matted, coarse, and disheveled. A bristle brush and a metal comb both should be used for combing their hair.

They may suffer from separation anxiety and need constant companionship. Brussels griffons are smart, devoted, and love to be the center of attraction.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these poodle facts and cane corso facts for kids!

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Brussels Griffon coloring pages.