Protective
The Brussels Griffon is likely to bark at strangers and would make a good watchdog, but his size excludes him from guard dog duty.
Size:
Weight Range:
Male: 8-10 lbs. Female: 8-10 lbs.
Height at Withers:
Male: 8 in.
Female: 7 in.
Food
The general recommendation for how much high-quality dry dog food to feed a Brussels Griffon is ¼ to ½ cup per day, based on average weight and activity level. Diligently measure your Griffs food, because he is likely to overeat.
The Brussels Griffon breed began over 200 years ago in Belgium, the city of Brussels specifically being the area of its birth. The breed began when the Griffon d’Ecurie, a wire-haired stable dog became the companion of choice by cab drivers, farmers and peasants as both a theft deterrent and a discourager of vermin. In the 1800’s, this determined little ratter was bred with the Pug and was blessed with its crowning glory — the magnificent head piece which defies the human face for expressive purposes. As time went on, the Brussels Griffon was bred with the Affenpinscher, the English Toy Spaniel and possibly the Yorkshire Terrier to get the sturdy and compactly built toy breed we see today. Of course, the “ratting” abilities have basically been bred out of the Brussels Griffon but not the fearless, courageous and adventurous part of him. He is still a loyal, loving, spunky, playful and protective “velcro” dog who will never be more than 3 feet from those he loves, even in sleep. Whether he wears a rough or smooth coat, whether that coat is red, black, black and tan or beige, he will still have the high level of intelligence and adaptable personality to couple with a loving nature to be your ultimate companion. Today, the breed is still considered relatively rare and isn’t as popular as other toy breeds. The breed has three varieties: Brussels Griffon, Belgium Griffon and Petit Brabancon, though the American Kennel Club only recognizes the Brussels Griffon in both the smooth and rough coated varieties. The breed has gained some increase in popularity after it was introduced in several movies, though it is still not as popular as a companion dog as other small breeds. The Brussels Griffon is recognized by many associations including the AKC, ANKC, APRI, CKC, FCI, NAPR, and UKC.