GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: Approx. 24-28cm
Colour: Black, black/tan or red, with black muzzle and ears.
Coat: Rough coats (Bruxellois) to be harsh and wiry.
Smooth coats (Petit Brabancon) close and short.
Gait: Smoothly co-ordinated with good propulsion.
These smart alert members of the toy family have dispositions of game little terriers. Ideally weighing 2.7-4.5kg (6-l0lb), their body is strong, thick set and well muscled. The head is large with a short wide upturned muzzle and an undershot bite. The effect of the facial hair framing the face and the clear black rimmed eyes and the upturned jaw, creates a monkey like expression. The legs and pasterns must be strong and straight, and the well muscled hindquarters should be well angulated and finishing with small cat like feet. The tail is set high and carried erect.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
The strong personality of Griffons is most apparent - they can act like spoilt little aristocrats being stubborn and demanding and then, with a complete about face, display love and sensitivity. They are a breed that cannot be ignored and their love of independence and freedom is apparent. Coat care in the Smooth coated Griffons is simple; but the Roughs should be stripped back periodically to keep a neat outline.
HISTORY
Originally the purpose for these toy dogs was to keep the stables free of rats. Descending from the soft coated Belgium street dog, it is believed that crosses took place with Affenpinschers, a neighbouring German hairy rat catcher, and later, with the smooth coated Pug. These crosses resulted in both smooth and rough coated varieties. The cross with the Pug had the effect of shortening the length of muzzle which of course was detrimental to the dog’s ability to catch rats, but as the appearance of the dog improved, so did their attraction and popularity as people took them to their hearts.