Brussels Griffon

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 10-15 years
The Brussels Griffon is surprisingly healthy for a pint-sized purebred. Their main issues stem from their skin and eyes. These pups are prone to allergies, so they may break out in rashes, with accompanying hair loss, when they encounter fleas, mites, or other skin irritants. Brussels Griffon’s also have prominent eyes that are apt to be scratched or irritated during daily play.

Keep a close watch on your Brussels Griffon to make sure he is exhibiting signs of good overall health. He should be eating well and exercising regularly. You should also take him to routine vet check-ups to further guarantee his good health.

Two health issues that your Brussels Griffon could inherit include:

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Inherited through generations, PRA is a degenerative condition that causes the retinas to fail. It begins with night blindness, then slowly progresses to all-encompassing blindness. The disease, while painless, is uncurable. Most pet owners re-train their dogs to cope with the onset of complete vision loss.

Syringomyelia

Serious and possibly fatal, this condition occurs when pockets of fluid settle at the base of the spinal cord, next to the brain. The most prominent symptoms are abnormal, uneven swelling and constant scratching at the neck. It can be very painful, so your pup might whimper or yelp quite a bit. In less severe cases, medication helps eliminate the swollen cavities, but surgery is required to remedy the disease completely.

Other health problems that could plague your Brussels Griffon are patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, cataracts, and reverse sneezing. On average, a healthy, happy Brussels Griffon will live from 10 to 15 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

Brussels Griffons are friendly, loveable, playful purebreds with a natural affection that comes out when they are bonding with their loved ones. They prefer to be indoors, but enjoy a good romp around a yard or dog park every once in a while. Depending on the breeding of their parents, these pups can develop sensitive, touchy issues that result in a few behavioral issues. Most of these issues can be trained out of them, but severe stubbornness and willfulness are lifelong traits.

While the Brussels Griffon would get along well with older children, they have little tolerance for the rowdy, loud natures of younger children. Roughhousing and chaotic environments can make your pup nippy and yappy, so teach your kids how to act appropriately around your Brussels Griffon. They should treat this dog with respect and love without tail-pulling or in-your-face rudeness.

As mentioned above, the Brussels Griffon would rather spend their days indoors. However, for exercise, let him romp around a fenced-in backyard a few times per day, for about half an hour each time. Or, take him for two 30-minute walks so he can look around and relieve himself. Brussels Griffons prefer indoor toys, such as tug-of-war ropes and rubber find-the-reward balls. Despite their preference for indoors, these dogs are very energetic, so get down on the floor and play with him whenever possible.

Hold regular training sessions to instill positive behavior in your Brussels Griffon from a young age. Beginning in the puppy stage, these purebreds need socialization and positive structure. As stated, they can be stubborn, which leads to disobedience and a destructive attitude. Be firm and patient when training your Brussels Griffon, but keep a positive tone to your voice. Never, ever strike your Brussels Griffon. Harshness results in negative behavior, sometimes permanent.

Grooming

Brussels Griffons have two kinds of possible coats, one wirey and the other smooth. Each coat is doubled to protect their skin against extreme weather and harmful bacteria. Bathe your pup once every 1-2 months, but never brush him when he’s wet. You could break his hair follicles and strip the natural oils from his fur. Brush him when he is fully dry, at least 2-3 times per week.

The Brussels Griffon is hypoallergenic, so almost no shedding. But he does need his coat trimmed and shaped every 2-3 months. Take him to a professional groomer if you feel uncomfortable with any of his basic care necessities. He will also need his ears cleaned once a week, toenails clipped every 2-3 weeks, and teeth brushed daily.

Diet

The Brussels Griffon boasts a hearty, healthy appetite, so these pups need a good meal schedule that allows them to feel satisfied throughout the day. Preferably once in the morning and once at night, feed your Brussels Griffon ½ to 1 cup dry, high-quality kibble for each meal. If he acts hungry, or if he doesn’t eat all of his food, consult your vet for advice on changing your meal schedule to suit the specific nutritional needs of your pup.
 

Find A Brussels Griffon Breeder

Brussels Griffon Puppies For Sale

Adopt A Brussels Griffon

Cost

The Brussels Griffon is a rare pure breed since many breeders have attempted to crossbreed these pups to make them healthier, cuter, and easier to integrate into a household. However, if you have your heart set on a Brussels Griffon, check the local animal shelters first. You could give an abandoned pup a second chance at a great home. And adoption fees, depending on county and state, usually run between $75 to $250.

If you go to a reputable breeder for your Brussels Griffon, you can expect to shell out between $800 to $1,000 for a new pup. Older dogs are generally less expensive, but they also take more time to retrain.

You should also factor in the costs of vaccinations, an initial vet check-up, and spaying or neutering for your pup. This could drive the overall cost up by $300 to $400, so be prepared with plenty of resources.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The Brussels Griffon would be a 2.5 on the integration scale. These purebreds can be loving and eager to please, but they can also be stubborn and headstrong. Training might be a challenge, but patience and determination will see that you have a well-rounded, well-behaved pup in the end.

 

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