How the Brussels Griffon, the breed standard, animal behavior, health and dog care: nutrition, training, interesting facts. Purchase and price of a puppy. They starred with Jack Nicholson in the movie "It Can't Be Better" and beyond. The films "The First Wives Club", "Bosford Park" also could not do without these dogs. These are funny little dogs with a bright character. They are so expressive, unless they speak. Affectionate and sociable animals bribe literally everyone. Funny appearance and lively mind distinguishes the breed by not ordinary features peculiar only to it - strange outside, kind inside. Their muzzle looks like a wrinkled human face, and their funny beard is just like the gnomes from the fairy tale about Snow White. The dogs have a funny face and a friendly disposition. Small size, good health and not whimsical care, make the Griffon an ideal pet for a modern person.
How did the Brussels Griffon come about?
They owe their name to mythical creatures with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion. The first mention of the species dates back to the thirties of the 15th century. On an old engraving by Van Dyck "The Arnolfini Couple", a ginger dog resembling a griffon sits at the feet of people. In the painting depicting George III with a pet, you can recognize the same breed.
Usually they weigh four or five kilograms and their story has an unassuming beginning. It originated in Brussels, Belgium in the 19th century and they did not the most prestigious job. The dogs were used to catch rats in the stables. After some time, the dog from the stable was crossed with a black pug, a king Charles spaniel, a ruby spaniel and an eifen pinscher. Gradually, these dogs attracted the attention of the nobility. And by the end of the 19th century, the breed became very popular among the Belgian nobility. Even kings began to wind it up, using it to guard the carriages. Thanks to their charming little face, the griffons were known as favorites of noble ladies. They became so revered that beautiful aristocratic women appeared everywhere with their little companions.
Today, Brussels griffons are rare. If you are lucky enough to encounter this playful creature, how do you know it is the right breed? They have a furry muzzle and a flattened nose, a wide and compact body and thin paws. The animals are small but not fragile. They are strong and agile dogs. They have two types of hair: long-haired and wire-haired. And four colors: red, beige, spotted and black.
Previously, it was one breed, but now there are several of them: Belgian, Brussels and Petit Barbancon. All of them differ only in the length and hardness of the coat, as well as in color. The parameters are almost the same. It is characteristic that all types of griffins can be born in one litter.
Description of the external reference dog
The small dog is used for guarding purposes and as a companion. It is compact, almost square in size. Energetic, graceful and strong. Possesses excellent intelligence and a kind, cheerful disposition. There are four types of griffons, which differ in color and coat. According to the accepted standard, the height at the withers in males is from 27 cm to 32 cm, in bitches from 25 cm to 30 cm. With a difference of plus or minus one centimeter. Weigh from 3, 7 kg to 5, 9 kg. They move elegantly and easily.
- Head voluminous and rounded, stands out against the background of the body. The forehead is well rounded. The occipital part of the cheekbone and the brow ridges are not prominent. All head lines should be smoothly rounded.
- Muzzle short, slightly upturned, abruptly passes into the frontal part. The bridge of the nose is small. The lips are dry, tight-fitting, black pigmented. Medium, white teeth form an undershot bite. It can be quite significant - which is considered the norm. Long hair grows on the entire muzzle, which, from the mustache on the cheekbones and chin, forms a lush, slightly protruding beard of a round shape.
- Nose small, snub and flat. Located in line with the eyeballs. It may have a deep black pigmentation, so be a little lighter.
- Eyes slightly convex, large, rounded, not very wide, bright and shiny. The eyelids are dry, tight-fitting. The color of the cornea is preferably dark - brown or black-brown. The look is smart, expressive and lively.
- Ears widely spaced. They are not large, hanging on cartilage, triangular. They can be docked according to the standard.
- Neck Brussels Griffon is medium, merges smoothly into the shoulders. The withers are barely visible, there is no dewlap.
- Frame short, muscular, square format. The back is fairly straight, strong and short. The loin is not large, a little voluminous. The croup is slightly sloping. The ribcage is prominent, wide and long, reaching to the elbows. The ribs are harmoniously curved, elastic. The bottom line is very slightly tucked up to the back of the body.
- Tail high location. Natural tail of medium length, tapering towards the end, straight. It is allowed to be docked by two-thirds of the total length.
- Front limbs - Standing wide, parallel to each other, lean muscles, strong. The shoulder blades are tightly connected to the body, the shoulders are well angulated. Hind legs - strong, strong build, slightly laid back. Stand upright when judging. Thighs with long, strong muscles. The hock joint is lowered. The hocks are harmonious.
- Paws small and rounded like a cat, with arched, tightly pressed toes. Strong nails, springy pads.
- Coat griffon long or hard. On the face, the mustache and sideburns form a rounded beard. On the paws there are feathers and a shaggy tail.
- Skin snugly fits the entire body of the dog.
- Color depending on the variety - black, red, brownish, black and tan, sand, mixing black with brown-red.
Brussels griffon behavior
The dogs have a funny face and a friendly disposition. Sociable and affectionate representative of the breed, a companion with a big heart. It is suitable for almost any family and will be in contact with both adults and children. Small children under five years old should not be left alone with him, as the bones of this little dog are fragile. Dogs are adoptive and can live in an apartment or house, subject to regular activity.
Pets are sycophants and suckers. Like cats, they wash and get food out of their bowl. I have a kind of cat-like gait, that is, they move silently. The "Brussels" are good guards. They won't let anyone into the car. The suburban area will also be under reliable protection. Dogs are very loving, they will lick "to death" and literally will not give you a pass. They are very good friends with the head. Dogs know who and how to cheat, to whom and how to "drive up", with whom and what they can "fuck" and how to avoid punishment if they do something.
When griffons sleep, thanks to their flattened muzzle they snore like "real men". They have a very high level of intelligence. The dog is mobile, loves to play and loves attention. This is the "tail" of its owner. Wherever you go, your pet will follow on your heels, ready to do whatever pleases their owners. They are very affectionate and miss the owner. Dogs cannot be alone for long.
Such pets are not suitable for busy people. Griffons need constant contact and love, but they are not intrusive. It is enough for them to be next to you. For example, you are watching TV, a four-legged friend is lying nearby, digging in the garden, he will help you. They will be happy to go with you to nature. And if there is a pond, a lake or a rivulet, they will happily rush into the water for a swim. Dogs are hardy and active. With them, you can safely run in the morning or ride a bike.
Brussels Griffon Health
The health of these rascals is quite strong and there are no obvious diseases in the Brussels griffons. With proper maintenance, they live for 12-15 years. This means that the dog's food should be balanced, enriched with vitamins and minerals. A strict age regime for feeding and walking is created for the pet. Also, his muscles and ligaments are loaded correctly. In addition, regular vaccinations will protect him from many dangerous diseases. Good grooming includes regular treatment for external and internal parasites. These little "critters" can cause great and sometimes irreparable harm to the health of your griffon.
The eyes of the Brussels are slightly protruding, the hair from their muzzle getting into the eyes often causes irritation. Therefore, while the beard is growing, it is not advisable to cut it. With age, it grows back, the coat falls down and the eyes stop "flowing". It happens that the eyes water and from the food - such an allergic reaction. Even the highest quality concentrate may not work. Here food is selected by trial and error. But still, it is better to seek the advice of a veterinarian.
Like all small dogs, they suffer from hind limb problems. This is Perthes disease - a disease of the joints. With a late diagnosis, the dog will limp and suffer from painful sensations until the end of his days. Some Brussels Griffons are victims of a birth defect that causes a cyst in the spinal cord. Only surgical intervention helps in the treatment.
This is a brachiocephalic type of dog that has a short, flattened muzzle. Therefore, they can snore and gasp when running. Try not to actively move your pet during very hot and cold seasons, because short nasal passages do not contribute to cooling or heating the air. In the "pristine" state, it goes directly to the dog's lungs. In this case, the griffon may develop heatstroke or pneumonia. If unstable, wheezing breathing occurs, immediately take him to a veterinary clinic.
Brussels Griffon Care Tips
- Wool Long-haired Brussels Griffons should be combed out once a week with a furminator or a thick-toothed comb. Wire-haired dogs require professional hand trimming to painlessly remove loose hair. If the dogs are cut, then their "coat" will be softer and lighter in color. When pets are trimmed, the coat becomes coarser and darker in color. Such a cover better protects the dog from external environmental influences, for example, wind, moisture and cold. The beard is combed every day so that it looks beautiful and does not tangle. Animals are bathed 2-3 times a month. It is advisable to choose shampoo depending on the type of hairline of your griffon. Before washing, the concentrate is always diluted with water in a ratio of one to three. After soaping, rinse thoroughly from your pet's skin. You do not need to dry your dog with a hairdryer, just wipe it well with a towel made from a natural, absorbent fabric. After the "bath" procedures, the Brussels is placed in a dry, warm room until completely dry.
- Claws pets walking on a hard surface, such as asphalt, grind down themselves. If they grow back quickly, they must be trimmed using special claws. During the procedure, the main thing is not to cut the living edge where the blood vessels are located. The dog will be hurt, and next time he will resist and not let his claws be cut.
- Ears griffon can be trimmed inside. So they will be wonderfully ventilated and will have to be cleaned less often - once or twice a week. For manipulation, there are a lot of tools that soften earwax.
- Eyes these dogs have bulging. Therefore, the place above the nose and next to the eyeballs must be wiped and cut so that the hairs do not irritate their mucous membranes. This is done towards the inner corner of the eye.
- Teeth Brussels Griffon does not need regular cleaning if it is eaten dry. Since by gnawing hard granules, the dog mechanically removes excess plaque from its teeth. Therefore, the dentition of such pets needs to be cleaned once a month. Do not bring the dog to the accumulation of stone, as it will have to be removed by a veterinarian using an ultrasound machine. Not all animals will volunteer to carry out such procedures with them. The doctor gives an immobilizing injection in order to calmly achieve the result. Teach pets that absorb natural food to clean the dentition from an early age. This is done with an animal brush and paste. Also, some breeders like to rub the teeth of their pets with moist activated charcoal. It absorbs plaque and the oral cavity of the animal will always be in a wonderful state.
- Feeding griffons depends on the preference of the owner. Many people find it convenient to feed with dry concentrates, while others prefer to cook for their four-legged pets themselves. Yes, ready-made feeds are very practical, but some individuals of this breed suffer from allergies and products are difficult to find. Therefore, with such a problem, it is better for you to contact the veterinarian or the breeder from whom you purchased the puppy. When feeding your pet naturally, the food must be supplemented with vitamins and minerals. Eighty percent of the food is lean veal, chicken or turkey. Some cereals (rice, barley, rolled oats, buckwheat) should also be added to food. From time to time you need to give vegetables, eggs and dairy products (cottage cheese, kefir). If you can find dry food for your griffon, then you are in luck, because it saves you time. It is better to give it to your pet than to cook him a "set meal" at the stove. The composition of premium and super-premium feeds is selected so that the dog will be in brilliant physical and external shape.
- Walking - three meals a day are desirable. If you do not have time, then the Brussels Griffon can be easily trained to toilet at home - a dog's diaper. Some owners dress their fashionable pets, but this is more a whim of people than dogs. Griffons are quite mobile and do not freeze in cold weather, so they do not need clothes.
Only in a slushy period, you can dress up their protective overalls made of waterproof fabric, because the dog is undersized and can get dirty. When you get home, it is better to take off your outfit and wash it than to completely bathe your four-legged friend. As for the collars, they can be different, except for "strict" ones - they do not need them. Dogs can be perfectly driven on harnesses. Leashes will be safer than tape measures, because when meeting a larger dog, they allow you to pull the pet more sharply.
Training the Brussels Griffon
One of the most trained and talented breeds in the world. They have high mental abilities, but this does not mean that you do not need to deal with them. Intelligence needs to be developed. These dogs grasp everything literally on the fly. They perfectly pass the course of general training, are engaged in agility.
Interesting facts about the Brussels Griffon
There are mentions of Diana Serbskaya, who allowed her griffon to taste all her food, suspecting that they wanted to poison her. One fine day, her guesses came true and the pet, having tasted the food, died.
Buying and price of a griffon puppy
A dog for a serious show career should be acquired at a later age, when the bite, limbs and color are visible, that is, you can evaluate the makings of the exterior. In any case, no matter what criteria you present to your future four-legged friend, you cannot buy purebred dogs on the spontaneous markets. Dishonest "grabber" will not miss the opportunity to deceive you and slip an unhealthy animal, which may not be a griffon at all. Go to kennel clubs from real breeders. The price will be from $ 500 to $ 1000.
For more on the Brussels Griffon, see the following video:
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