The Griffon Dog

Breed Group: Toy

Weight: 8-10 lbs

Height: 7-8 inches

Color(s): red, belge (mixed reddish brown and black), black and tan, or black

Coat: There are two coat varieties for the Brussels Griffon. The first coat being rough-coated which consists of harsh, dense, and wiry hair. The second variety is the smooth-coated, which is the opposite being glossy, straight and short.

Overview: Sporting a sort of human like expression, this cheerful fellow is a good companion dog. The Brussels Griffon is good with other pets, including cats and smaller animals, but do best with older children. Sensitive and curious, this is a demanding dog but gives great deals of love and affection to his owner.

Character: The Brussels Griffon is a barker and definitely enjoys doing so. They make good alarm dogs. Intelligent and picky, this breed would do best with obedience classes during early stages of life to ensure a well-rounded and polite dog.

Temperament: Cheerful, friendly, and sometimes moody, this breed can be fairly picky. As with many smaller breeds, the Brussels Griffon can be difficult to housebreak but with consistency, will do just fine. Being that this is a willful and high-strung breed, a gentle but firm handler would work best with training.

Care: Shedding very little, this breed does need a lot of maintenance on the coat. Daily brushing should keep the coat shiny, clean, and prevent any matting or tangles. The beard around the mouth area should be cleaned regularly to prevent and caking.

Training: You must be consistent with this breed, as they tend to lose interest fairly quickly. Obedience classes are recommended, but not required. Make the training fun and you will be sure to keep this dog's attention.

Activity: A lively and hyperactive breed, they still do not require much activity. The Brussels Griffon gets most of his exercise in the home. This dog does enjoy short walks and will do just fine without a yard.