Griffon Bruxellois

The Griff forms a strong bond with his family and illustrates this with the warmest affections.

This dog was once a worker, and retains the energy and enthusiasm of his working generations. Although he is strong for his size, he is too fragile for tussling.

He’s not the calmest of fellows, since his high energy levels drive him to constantly seek stimulation. He’s not neurotic, but may become barky or mischievous if neglected.

The Griff is a clever fellow and gives every impression that he would devote himself to building model aeroplanes if left to his own devices. However, this is not the case and this little dog should not be trusted with glue.

His rat-catching instincts may not have fully-subsided, so he should always be chaperoned in the company of the family hamster.

This Bruxellois is generally warm towards people he doesn’t know, although it varies from dog to dog and early socialisation is essential. His ancestors were used as guard dogs, although due to his size he is more of an alarm function than a physical deterrent.

The Griff requires the close company of his family and soon becomes unhappy without it; however, he is a free-thinker, and may act stubbornly or bring his own ideas to the table if not well-disciplined.

This dog does not like being alone. He will demonstrate his displeasure with small and ingenious acts of protest.

His intelligence and sociability make the Griff a good subject for education; however, his wilfulness and sensitivity may inhibit his progress if he is treated too harshly or pushed beyond his comfort zone.

He is quite a barky one; he will let you know when someone’s at the door, or he’s happy, or he wants your attention. Anti-bark training is recommended.

An under-stimulated Griff may well engage his wily intelligence to hatch an escape plot if he finds nothing to do where he’s currently situated.

Although not the most destructive of dogs, one should not trust one’s best slippers with him if one intends to leave him alone for longer than he is accustomed.

The Griffon is not a greedy dog, but care should be given that he gets the exercise he needs and is not allowed more food than his small frame requires.

This surly chap looks just dandy in a guard’s cap and browsing the daily newspaper. What’s more, he’ll alert you to the approach of strangers the best he can, although he may not quite have the stature to arrest intruders.

The Griff can flourish in an adequately-sized apartment as long as he gets daily walks and is offered the attention he requires to distract him from mischief-making.

He needs at least half an hour of decent exercise a day. This can include walking, gentle running, and ball games – he’s first rate at the popular dog sport of ‘fetch.’ However, be aware that he is not really made for wrestling.

The Griff is a good traveller and a good size for easy portability.

If socialised from a young age, the Griff usually doesn’t have a problem with familiar cats; however, his ancient hunting instinct lurks still, and he will not tolerate abuse at the paws of the family moggy.

Again, if well-socialised then in general problems should be minimal. However, the Griff has been accused of ‘small dog syndrome,’ which is to say he may attempt to prove himself, unprovoked, against larger dogs; or indeed, should a larger dog provoke him, the Griff might forget his size and get himself into something he’ll need your help to get out of.

The Griff is not the ideal match for small children, since he does not tolerate unwarranted poking, wrestling, close-talking, or over-hugging. It is a good idea for him to spend some time in the society of small children while still a pup, regardless of plans for him to share a home with such creatures in his maturity.

An older person who is capable of dealing with the Griff’s sometimes demanding energy levels should find that his relatively low exercise needs and keen sense of companionship are well-suited to the autumn years.

For those that have the time for this fellow and the intelligence to deliver a full education program in his youth, there’s no good reason not to be introduced to the world of dog ownership with a Griffon Bruxellois.