The Brussels Griffon is a Toy breed from Belgium. As such, you might have heard these dogs called by a more European-sounding name: Griffon Bruxellois, Petit Brabançon, or Griffon Belge. Ooh la la!
While this breed is known for their small size, Griffs have big hearts. “If you love them, they love you back just as much—even more,” says Sharon Sakson, an American Kennel Club Breeder of Merit at Parisfield Brussels Griffons and board member of the American Brussels Griffon Association. “They like to be with you whether you’re out on a walk or sitting on the couch.”
Keep reading to discover the must-know facts if you’re wanting to adopt a Brussels Griffon.
Key
- Low
- Medium
- High
- Origin: Belgium
- Size: 7-11 inches
- Weight: 6-20 pounds
- Activity level:
- Barking/howling level:
- Good with dogs: yes
- Good with kids: yes
- Shedding:
- Shedding: Seasonal
- Hair type: Short; smooth or rough
- Grooming level:
- Training level:
- Drooling level:
- Escape artist: yes
Brussels Griffon Appearance
As the saying goes, good things come in small packages—and these dogs are no exception. However, they can vary in size and weight, says Heather Stants, a breeder at Hazeldean Brussels Griffons.
Stants says this breed can be anywhere from 6–20 pounds, although the standard for showing is 8–10 pounds. Meanwhile, their height can range from around 7–11 inches. Overall, males and females should be the same size.
Lastly, there are two types of Brussels Griffons, and their coats are the differentiating factor. They either have a rough coat (and has a facial “beard”) or smooth coat (no “beard”). Stants reveals both types come in four colors:
- Red
- Black
- Belge (red with black mixed into the coat)
- Black and tan (marked like a Doberman)
Brussels Griffon Origin & History
Brussels Griffon’s are a relatively new dog breed, originating from their namesake city of Brussels, Belgium, in the 1800s.
According to the American Brussels Griffon Association, these little dogs derive from cross-breeding English Toy Spaniels, Pugs, and Griffons. Thanks to their small size and active temperament, they were originally bred and used by stablemen in the city to catch rats.
The Griff’s friendly personality and physical attributes meant they quickly became a popular family pet. The features that made the breed so popular over 200 years ago remain today, while their physical appearance has stayed consistent. The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognized the breed in 1910.
Today, they remain one of the less common toy dog breeds in the US—despite appearing in films including As Good As It Gets and Gosford Park. They’re even making a splash on social media, with Australian-based pooches Squid and Pretzel amassing over 360,000 followers.
Brussels Griffon Personality & Lifestyle
If you’re looking for a friendly, smart, loving, and companionable dog, you’ve come to the right place. “Brussels Griffons are wonderful dogs,” Sakson says. She says their temperament is intelligent, alert, and sensitive.
But it’s not all seriousness: these pups also have a playful side. These dogs love making you laugh, picking up toys, and zooming around.
Griffs are friendly dogs that get along well with people, other dogs, and even cats with proper introductions.
However, if you’re at the park and other dogs are around, your Brussels Griffon’s possessive side may emerge. Sakson says they sometimes get protective—even when facing bigger dogs—and will threaten them by barking or growling. “Despite their small size, a Brussels Griffon can convince other dogs that it is a big, mean, strong dog when it wants to,” she adds.
Brussels Griffon Ideal Environment
When it comes to the ideal home, Stants says Brussels Griffons are pretty adaptable. It all depends on how they were raised. For example, if they’re used to quiet living, they’ll likely be overwhelmed if taken into a house full of noisy children.
Also, thanks to their small size, they don’t need too much space—meaning they’re a good fit for pet parents in an apartment or smaller home. Griffs are equally happy playing in a fenced yard or park, as long as they get the exercise they need (around 30-60 minutes daily). If you’ve got a puppy, Stants says they’ll need supervised play throughout the day.
Their barking levels can vary. “Some Griffs love to bark at everything: a car, person, leaf, you name it,” Stants reveals. “Others don’t really bark much at all.” Luckily, if your Griff’s a barker, they can be trained to quiet down.
Lastly, while some dog breeds are happy in their own company, this isn’t typically the case with Brussels Griffons. Stants says they can get lonely and are prone to separation anxiety.
Brussels Griffon Training
The puppy phase for Brussels Griffons is around a year, but training can start well before they reach maturity. Training should start with a breeder when they’re 8-10 weeks old (before they go to their new home), says Emily Birch, a clinical animal behaviorist. This ensures they’re used to traveling in a car, wearing a collar or harness, and sleeping in a crate.
While this breed is highly trainable, Birch says they can be stubborn. That’s why a clear, consistent, and positive training approach is vital. For socialization, aim for quality over quantity. Watch how they interact with other dogs. Because they’re small, they can get hurt easily, and this might make them scared of other dogs in the future.
Finally, as a brachycephalic breed, Brussels Griffons can have a harder time breathing and cooling themselves down. So, when engaging in training, make sure your Griff doesn’t overheat.
Brussels Griffon Grooming
Brussels Griffons’ grooming requirements vary slightly depending on their coat type.
Smooth coats
Thankfully, Brussels Griffons with smooth coats don’t shed often, except during shedding season, says Julia Benning, lead grooming advisor at Well Groomed Pets. This season is usually a couple of weeks during the spring and again in the fall.
In the off season, Benning says brush your dog weekly to maintain their coat. During shedding season, switch to brushing them daily. She adds that because their coats stay short, they don’t require any trimming or clipping.
Rough coats
Benning says spring and fall are also the shedding periods for rough-coated Brussels Griffons. However, compared to smooth-coated Griffs, they don’t shed much at all.
Rough-coated Brussels Griffons need more regular grooming. Although professional grooming is recommended for both types of Brussels Griffon, it is more critical for dogs with a rough coat. Benning says these dogs need the fur trimmed around their eyes, feet, and sanitary area.
Brussels Griffon Health
Sakson says Brussels Griffons are generally a very healthy breed (good news for pet parents worried about vet bills!)
However, there are a few health concerns that can affect Griffs
- Eye issues: Like many toy dogs, Griffs can have eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and cataracts. Sakson says PRA is a genetic disease that eventually causes blindness, and there’s no cure.
- Patella luxation: This condition happens when the kneecap moves out of place and is common in small dogs. While there’s no cure, keeping a healthy weight, using medications, and trying lifestyle products can help reduce pain and symptoms.
- Chiari malformation/syringomyelia: A more serious issue for Brussels Griffons and other small dogs with flat faces is Chiari-like malformation. This happens when the brain is too big for the skull, causing spinal fluid to build up (syringomyelia). Although there’s no cure, pain can be managed with medication, and in severe cases, surgery may be needed.
Alternative Dog Breeds to Consider
While adorable, there are many reasons a Brussels Griffon may not be for you. If a smaller, active, friendly dog is still on your checklist, why not consider one of these breeds?
Getting a Brussels Griffon
Potential pet parents can adopt Brussels Griffons from reputable breeders and rescue centers. However, as a rarer Toy breed, they aren’t as commonly bred or found in rescues as other dogs. This means Griffs can be more expensive to purchase.
According to the GoodDog and American Kennel Club marketplaces, the average price for a Brussels Griffons puppy is between $2500-4000. Adoption from a rescue center is typically cheaper, with the National Brussels Griffon Rescue charging $500.
If purchasing from a breeder, make sure they do all the relevant health checks on their puppies—particularly for the eyes and patellas. The breeder may also have the parent dogs undergo BRisk scoring. This is a respiratory health assessment to measure the level of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in a dog.
If you’re adopting a Brussels Griffon, Sakson says young and adult dogs make great companions.
