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Brussels Griffon, Puppies Now Available!

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This Little dog started life as a guard on the front seat of cabs in Brussels,
where his wonderful spirit in spite of lack of size, endeared him to a great number of people.
Something of a street urchin still, the ‘gamin’ of the dog would, his quaint appearance and cockiness
make him one of the personality dogs if not one of the beauties of the Toy group. Those who own a Griffon
become addicted to the breed, finding them extremely intelligent and very good guards and companions.
Compared with others in the toy group he lacks any hint of aristocratic background,
but in any case he lays no claim to this, and is prepared to be accepted at face value. He is certainly no beauty,
but his facial expression and the peculiar whiskered foreface give him a charm all of his own.
He is very much the man-in-the-street’s toy dog as far as appearance goes, but he has now outlived
his lowly background and has become accepted as something of a society pet among the few
who own the breed. He is still something of the Terrier, will hunt if he is given the opportunity,
and he is among the strongest and sturdiest built of any in the Toy Group.



Coat
There are two distinct types of coat - rough and smooth

Color
rough-coated type.

1. Reddish brown, with a little black at the whiskers and chin.

2. Black and reddish brown mixed, usually with black mask and whiskers.

3. Black with uniform reddish brown markings, usually appearing under the chin,
on the legs, over the eyebrows, around the edges of the ears and around the vent.

4. Solid black

The colors of the smooth-coated type are the same as those of the rough-coated type except that
solid black is not allowable. Any white hairs in either the rough or smooth coat are a serious
fault, except for "frost" on the black muzzle of a mature dog, which is natural. 

History

From the backstreets of Brussels, Belgium, and a somewhat shaded ancestry, comes our charming little Brussels Griffon dog.

Most authorities agree that the Brussels Griffon was developed in Belgium from small rough-coated dogs kept as ratters in stables. Hence the name Griffons d'Ecurie (wire-coated stable dogs). Although there is no complete record of the breeds crossed and recrossed to achieve the Brussels Griffon as we know it today, there is no doubt that the Affenpinscher, the English Toy Spaniel, and the Pug were the basic breeds used. The influence of the Affenpinscher is seen in general size and wire coat texture. The smooth-coated variety of Brussels Griffon dogs is a direct result of the introduction of the Pug. The contribution of the Toy Spaniel can be seen in the large expressive eyes, the well rounded forehead, the upturned underjaw and nosepad, the deep red color of the Ruby, and the black and tan of the King Charles.

Whatever it had been called before, by 1880 in Belgium the breed was called the Griffons Bruxellois - the Brussels Griffon. By 1883 Belgian breeders had formulated a standard and had established regular classes in show competition. Prior to this time the breed was entered in a mixed variety called Rough or Long Coated Terriers. In 1889 the Club du Griffon Bruxellois was established in Brussels. At about that time the smooth was recognized as a separate variety under the name Griffon Brabancon. By the late 1890s the breed was quite the rage as the Queen of the Belgians and the Duke of Flanders bred Griffons on an extensive scale.

The early 1890's saw the Griffon Bruxellois and Griffon Brabancon introduced to England and by 1898 it was admitted to the English Stud Book. English clubs were formed to promote the development of this new Brussels Griffon breed.

In 1899 the first Brussels Griffon dogs appeared in the American Kennel Club Stud Book and were shown in miscellaneous classes at Westminster. The Breed gained classification in 1900 and the first Brussels Griffon Champion was recorded with AKC in 1908. The first U.S. Brussels Griffon Specialty was held in New York City on May 10, 1918 with 53 Brussels Griffon dogs entered.

The Brussels Griffon Club of America remained active, as the parent club until 1939. In 1945 the American Brussels Griffon Association was established as the parent club.

After World War II, two reformations of the breed standard were made. The first, in 1959, saw the combining of a two-part standard, Griffon Bruxellois and Griffon Brabancon. The 1990 reformatting removed the disqualification of the Black Smooth Brussels Griffon variety, restoring it to its rightful place in the ring.

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To see the puppies that we have at this time
please visit our Puppies For Sale page

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puppyinfo@brookglenfarm.com

When sending an E-mail, please include your telephone number!

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