Most humans long for companionship and when they don’t find companionship in other humans, they tend to adopt a puppy. One of the most lovable doggy companions is the Brussels Griffon dog breed. It’s a tiny little dog that is perfect for living in small apartments with small garden spaces or no garden spaces at all.
Many Brussels owners have testified that the little pooch is very intelligent and easy to train. Making it the perfect addition to any family living in an apartment. But what makes the Brussels Griffon different from other purebreds? Let’s take a closer look at its behavior and personality.
Physical Features
The male and female Brussel can grow up to weigh 12 pounds. Males are only one inch taller than females, measuring up to 8 inches at the shoulder. The cute little dog has a squashed face with its nose close to its eyes. It’s because of this squashed facial feature that some people refer to it as ‘being so ugly that it’s cute’.
Its coat is medium in length and is hard to the touch. No matter how many times you shampoo and condition its coat it won’t become soft and lustrous like other breed’s coats. It can still be shiny though and are usually black, tan, red, or mixes of reddish browns and blacks.
Great news about the little pup is that its life expectancy is 15 years. A long enough time to be excellent companions for families with children.
Classification
The American Kennel Club classified the Brussels Griffon as a toy breed that is perfect for companionship. This comes as no surprise, since the dog was initially bred for companionship. Surprisingly also for vermin control. Back in the day humans would adopt the Griffon to help them keep the house clear of any pests. Griffons aren’t afraid to attack smaller creatures like rats, mice, and squirrels.
Originally bred in Belgium to kill and hunt pests in horse stables, you shouldn’t underestimate this cute little pug-like dog’s temper. They were only exported to England in the late 1800s and has since then become a very popular house pet.
Learn more about the history of the Brussels Griffon here: https://www.britannica.com/animal/Brussels-griffon.
Personality
In the same way as you can’t put all humans in a personality type, you can’t do the same to this monkey-like pup. Within this breed there are different types of temperaments ranging from shy and reserved to outgoing and active. This depends on their age and environment.
Overall, the Griffon has a confident and somewhat bossy personality. No matter it’s small size, the little dog can be quite the little leader. Being the epitome of tough exterior and soft and cuddly inside, the Brussels Griffon can show a lot of love while being protective of its owner.
One thing is for sure, all Griffons are extremely needy when it comes to attention. They will attach themselves to the hip of their owner and because of this they are sometimes referred to as the ‘Velcro dog’. Whenever this breed feels excluded or neglected, they tend to misbehave. This misbehavior is usually just to attract some attention.
If you are considering getting a Brussels Griffon, you should make sure that you don’t leave it alone for too long. Leaving them alone at home for long periods of time, without a friend or human interaction, can result in depression and lethargy. If you do work long hours, it’s best to leave him with a dog sitter or at a doggy day care.
The Brussels Griffon’s temperament is influenced by many factors. Factors like training, heredity, and socializing. If you are considering a purebred, then you should meet one or both of the parents. It could be that their child has adopted their temperaments. If one or both parents are reserved then chances are their puppy will be too.
One way to tell if the puppy will have a calm and loving temperament is by petting it and picking it up while it’s a puppy. If they are playful and curious, chances are that they’ll have a relaxed and loving personality as adults.
Taking Care of Your Brussels Griffon
In general, Griffons are a healthy breed with a few common medical conditions. To ensure your dog remains happy and healthy, you should take it for regular vet visits. Don’t compromise quality over price when it comes to purchasing dog food. Read this article on dog nutrition to learn more about the science-based facts on feeding your pooch.
To ensure your puppy becomes housetrained, it’s important that you start the training process as soon as possible. Early exposure to other pets and puppies is also important in establishing a calm and social behavior. Most Brussels Griffons are easy to train.
They are usually very disciplined and will follow the lead of their owner when the right training methods are followed. Training should always be done in a gentle and kind manner. Practicing consistency while training is another surety that your pooch will become well behaved in the house and while walking on a leash.
As long as you give them a lot of love and attention, they won’t leave your side.
This little pooch will sometimes underestimate its own size and aren’t afraid to take on dogs twice their height. Prepare yourself to protect them, just as much as they will protect you.
