Brussels Griffon Dog Breed Information
The Brussels Griffon dog breed is a small pup with a big, complex personality. This personable toy breed is alert, curious, smart, devoted, and “comically self-important,” according to the American Kennel Club. These playful pups are easily trained and love to be near their humans. They are sensitive and learn quickly, and do not do well with harsh training.
Brussels Griffons are great apartment dogs and can be satisfied with regular walks and living close to you in your apartment. If you want a small, active, entertaining pooch who wants to go everywhere with you, the Brussels Griffon is the perfect pup.
Brussels Griffon Dog Breed Rundown
Height: 7 to 10 inches
Weight: 8 to 10 lbs.
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Origin: Belgium
Personality: The Brussels Griffon is a lively, dedicated, smart, curious dog. These pups enjoy being close to their humans and despite their small size, they like to be very active. Brussels Griffons are very sociable and sensitive and need lots of human interaction.
Brussels Griffon Appearance
Brussels Griffons have a unique look, with large, human-like eyes, whiskers that give them a bearded look, and a sturdy body. Their whiskered beards give the Brussels Griffon a comical air of authority and seriousness. These pups weigh in at only 8 to 10 pounds.
These lovable toy dogs come in four colors - red, black and tan, black-and-reddish-brown (also called belge), and black. Their coats can be smooth - with short fur similar to a Beagle’s fur - or rough coats (similar to many terriers).
The Brussels Griffon has a large, round head, a short nose, and an underbite, adding to their unique, humorous appearance. The facial features of Brussels Griffon inspired the Ewok in Star Wars.
The Brussels Griffon dog breed naturally has a long tail but the AKC Breed Standard calls for a docked tail for show dogs. As with other breeds with prevalent tail docking, like the Doberman or Rottweiler, this sparks debate about the pain and health risks of tail docking, and many owners choose not to dock their pups’ tails. Breeders often crop their ears also, which is illegal in many European countries due to humanitarian concerns.
Brussels Griffon History
Brussels Griffons are named after this city of origin, which is Brussels in Belgium. The Brussels Griffon dog breed is descended from Belgian street dogs, terriers with rough coats that were used to eliminate rodents in stables. These pups were called “griffons” and were similar to Affenpinschers.
In the 1800s, the griffons were crossed with Pugs and King Charles Spaniels to produce what we now know as the Brussels Griffon. By the late 19th century, they were popular with nobility and would ride in Belgian cabs for companionship.
Brussels Griffons became more popular when Belgian Queen Marie Henriette took an interest in the breed and began attending dog shows and breeding them. The first Brussels Griffon was registered in 1883 by the Belgium Kennel Club.
The American Kennel Club recognized the Brussels Griffon in 1910.
Brussels Griffon Personality
Brussels Griffons have lively, dedicated personalities. They enjoy lots of human interaction and being close to their people and they make excellent apartment dogs. The Brussels Griffon dog breed has an air of self-importance, which can be very entertaining for such a small pup. These playful pooches also have a high energy level and are intelligent. They do not do well with being left alone for long periods without their humans.
The Brussels Griffon is a sensitive breed and they do not respond well to harsh punishment. They are very smart but can be stubborn and have no problem with challenging authority if they feel they are treated unfairly. They can be demanding and require a lot of patience.
These small pups usually get along well with other dogs and cats in the household. Socialization is important so that they don’t get aggressive with strange dogs (even if the other dog is much bigger, Brussels Griffons will not be intimidated). If left alone for long periods, they may bark a lot and develop separation anxiety.
Brussels Griffons thrive with lots of human contact. They are very loyal and will provide lifelong companionship and great company in a small, whiskery package.
Training Brussels Griffons
The Brussels Griffon dog breed bonds strongly with their owner. These lovable pups are smart and can learn quickly. Socializing them is important and they need plenty of lifelong interaction with humans to stay happy. Brussels Griffons are intelligent but can be stubborn and will not respond well to harsh training methods.
Although they can get along well with kids, the Brussels Griffon has short patience and will not tolerate roughhousing with kids. The Brussels Griffon dog breed usually gets along fine with other pets of similar size or larger in the household. But these small pups have big personalities and will not hesitate to be assertive even with much larger animals.
Training a Brussels Griffon requires patience and firm, consistent effort. Although they are a small breed, Brussels Griffons need plenty of attention and may develop problem behaviors like excessive barking if left alone for too long. They can be demanding of attention and do not do well with rough handling.
Regular walks and outings will help keep your Brussels Griffon happy and engaged. These sociable pooches love to do things with their humans and can be happy in apartments or small spaces as long as they have enough human interaction and exercise.
Famous Brussels Griffons
The self-important but diminutive Brussels Griffon is one-of-a-kind and has attracted admirers around the world. The Brussels Griffon dog breed famously starred opposite Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt in the 1997 comedy ‘As Good As It Gets.’ The lovable misfit dog captured hearts and had a popularity boost from the film but overall is still a somewhat rare breed in the U.S.
Jennifer Aniston and Rhys Ifan co-starred with a Brussels Griffon in the comedy ‘She’s Funny That Way.’
Celebrities with Brussels Griffons
‘Star Wars’ creator George Lucas is a big Brussels Griffon fan and has had up to five Brussels Griffons at a time. His adorable pups inspired him to create Ewoks.
Actress Ashley Benson is the proud owner of a Brussels-Griffon named Walter Gene Benson.
Actress Patricia Rooney Mara has two Brussels Griffons named Angus and Paco.
English actor Tom Hardy has a Brussels Griffon named Tolly.
Fashion designer John Galliano has two Brussels Griffons.
Brussels Griffon Health
Brussels Griffons are generally healthy and have not had as much overbreeding as the popular dog breeds. This has helped ensure they have relatively few health issues. Some health issues that Brussels Griffons may develop include:
Syringomyelia (SM), a spinal disorder
Chiari-like malformation (CM), a disease of the spinal cord
Where to Get a Brussels Griffon
If you’re ready to adopt an Ewok of your own, here are some Brussels Griffon rescues and resources that can help you find your perfect pooch:
National Brussels Griffon Rescue has a national network for adopting and fostering Brussels Griffons in the U.S. They have adoptable Brussels Griffons around the country.
American Brussels Griffon Association is the official AKC parent club for the Brussels Griffon dog breed. The club offers resources and a directory of Brussels Griffon breeders in the U.S.
Petfinder also has adoptable Brussels Griffons throughout the country.
If you want a faithful companion who’s entertaining, smart, and loves to be near you, the Brussels Griffon is a great choice. These small pups make excellent apartment dogs and do well with lots of human interaction. If you’re ready to adopt a Brussels Griffon, check out our 10 Tips to Prepare Before Adopting a Dog for a checklist that covers everything you need.
