Griffon Bruxellois
The Griffon Bruxellois is an amusing little dog with his monkey-like face and has been known in Belgium for many centuries, a variety of the Griffon appearing in a painting by Jan van Eyck in 1434. By 1600 the breed already had a fairly standardised type. Not surprisingly the main ancestor is that other monkey-faced toy, the Affenpinscher.
There are two varieties, the rough coated, called the Griffon Bruxellois and the smooth called Petit Brabançon, and both rough and smooth can appear in the same litter. Colours are red, black and black and tan. In the UK both coat varieties are shown in the same class whereas in other countries the breed is divided by coat type, the Griffon Bruxellois, the Petit Brabancon and the rough-coated black variety is shown as the Belgian Griffon.
Whilst the breed has been recognisable since at least the 15th century, it is believed that the Ruby King Charles Spaniel and possibly the Yorkshire Terrier have played a part in the development of the Griffon.
They were used as ratters and guards for hansom cabs in Belgium, kept in the stables to hunt out the vermin and then going out in the cabs where they would sit with the driver, where their mischievous appearance - they have also been called the Belgian Street Urchin - won them a lot of interest. They arrived in the UK in the 1880s and the first Griffon Bruxellois Breed Club was established in 1887.
He is a cobby little dog, standing square at 7 - 8" and weighing up to 4.5kg. He should feel heavy in proportion to his size. The Rough coat ('Griffon' means wire-haired) requires regular stripping whilst the smooth is simplicity to keep smart. A cheeky little dog he will take plenty of exercise or settle as a companion dog; in common with many Toys he is an excellent housedog, giving good warning of strangers.
Click here to read the Griffon Bruxellois Breed Standard.
Griffon Bruxellois Breed Clubs
- GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS BREEDERS ASSOC. Sec. Mrs D Barney. Tel No: 01922 447330
- GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS CLUB. Sec. Mrs M Oliver. Tel No: 0181 6600969
- GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS CLUB OF SCOTLAND. Sec. Mrs M Trotter. Tel No: 01290 553109
- NORTHERN GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS CLUB. Sec. Mr G Lee. Tel No: 01922 685005
Griffon Bruxellois Rescue and Rehoming
Contact a Breed Club. They should be able to give you information about dogs requiring homes and procedures for re-homing; if you are in the unfortunate position of having to re-home your own Griffon, please go through breed rescue. They will not be judgmental and are best able to find the right permanent home for him.
Griffon Bruxellois Breeders
If you are looking for a puppy contact the Breed Clubs and the Breeders listed and visit the puppyfinder website where there is a great deal of information on hereditary conditions. If you are a Breeder and wish to advertise your puppies puppyfinder is an excellent showcase.
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