Griffon Belge
Temperament:
The Griffon Belge is a small, shaggy and uncomplicated contemporary. Its cheerful and good-natured nature makes it the ideal family dog. It also gets along well with other four-legged friends. Thanks to his frugal and friendly nature, this little Belgian is also an ideal beginner's dog.
Characteristics
The Griffon Belge comes in three varieties recognized by the FCI. They differ in the length and color of the coat. The coat of the Brussels Griffon is short and red. The coat of the Belgian Griffon is black and rough. The Brabant Griffon has a smooth coat in different colors. A typical feature of all three varieties is their balanced build.
The body length corresponds approximately to the height at the withers. This gives the dog a relatively compact and square appearance. It is a companion dog and has a short, rough coat. The large head with tousled hair is one of its striking features. His almost human facial expression is particularly appreciated by his lovers. The tail is set high and is often carried stretched high.
One of the characteristics of the Griffon Belge is its loyal and affectionate nature. It seeks to be close to its owner, is trusting and cuddly. He especially loves to play.
The Griffon Belge is agile, docile and playful. Its pronounced curiosity is also typical of the breed. On walks together, you can expect it to follow every sound and movement with interest. Despite its liveliness, the Griffon Belge does not need much exercise. It is therefore also suitable for keeping in a city apartment. It can live out its play instinct both indoors and outdoors.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
The Griffon Belge has a relatively large skin surface. As a result, it gives off a lot of heat. This leads to an increased metabolism and an enormous energy requirement. Therefore, make sure to cover this with a balanced and healthy diet.
When choosing food, you should make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role here. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.
Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.
Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.
Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.
Health & Care
The Griffon Belge's character is as uncomplicated as its grooming. Thanks to its short coat, it rarely needs to be brushed. Dead hair can simply be removed with your hands. The bushy beard is an exception. Small twigs, dirt and leaves often get caught in it and it tends to become too shaggy. The beard should therefore be combed and cleaned more frequently. Regular trimming with scissors is also recommended.
Despite its lively character, the Griffon is easy to train. It forms a close bond with its owner. With careful training, it is docile and obedient. He is eager to please and is therefore fully committed to all tasks set for him.
Due to his human-oriented nature, he quickly senses moods. If you are balanced, your dog will also be happy and relaxed. Challenge him with varied games and keep him busy - he loves it and really thrives on it.
Suitable accessories
As the Griffon Belge is a very playful dog, you should get him a selection of toys. Balls, bones or caves to crawl through add excitement and variety to everyday life. A good comb for grooming his beard and a pair of scissors for trimming excessively long beard fur should also be available. As he doesn't need much exercise, a simple lead with a collar or harness is sufficient for daily walks.
Other accessories that are part of the basic equipment: dog basket or dog mat as a place to retreat, water and food bowl, tick tweezers, claw clippers, mild dog shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs, transport box for transportation in the car and a first aid kit. Ask your vet what belongs in the first aid kit.
Origin & History
The ancestors of the Griffon Belge are the Smousjes. These small, rough-haired dogs were kept in Brussels and the surrounding area for a long time. The breed was crossed with the pug and the ruby-red King Charles spaniel in the 19th century. This is how the current breed type was created.
Back then, the four-legged friends were mainly used as mouse and rat catchers and guarded small carriages. The name "Griffon Belge" ("griffon" is French and means "rough-haired") was first documented in 1883.
Griffons were among the favorite dogs of Queen Marie-Henriette of Belgium and became famous as a result. Just a few years later, the small, lovable four-legged friends had achieved cult status. Their popularity extended far beyond the borders of Belgium and the breed was exported to all European countries.
They are not yet as well known in Germany as they are in other countries. However, due to their charming nature and uncomplicated attitude, they are attracting more and more attention from dog lovers here too.
Griffon Belges are classified by the FCI as social and companion dogs. They belong to section 3 of the small Belgian dog breeds without working test.
