We can trace back the origin of this breed to the 19th century. Brussels griffon was given the name after a city in Belgium.
Their earlier use was to hunt rodents in farms and stables. They were taxi guards in Brussels, Belgium.
The creation of this breed explains its physique. Breeders made them from dogs like the Toy Spaniel that contributed to its bulgy eyes, upturned jaw, and round head. Another contributor to this exceptional breed is the Affenpinscher. Its qualities are in its coat texture and size.
The highly-spirited griffon has some characteristics that are sure to make you desire to have one. You can check out holistapet to see more features of a Brussels that might interest you. Despite their loving nature, don’t be too relaxed to leave them with your child. They can get temperamental when teased or handled harshly.
About Brussels griffon
Socialization
Brussels griffon shows better socialization tendencies. They quickly make friends with people and other pets. They can be shy in new environments but often become the life of the party when they socialize. However, they can become aggressive whenever they sense danger looming.
Adventurous
Their climbing skills make them a better substitute for cats. With this, you sure have to be careful. It has a mind of its own and is usually very curious about adventures. The last thing you would want is a lost dog or one falling down a tree.
Requires Training
They will need so much training. You might need to train it from day one to walk carefully, obey instructions, and go on errands. They are not easy to control. However, they submit after some time. You should handle them with love and firmness as they are manipulative.
Fun to Have Around
The griffons are entertaining dogs. With their sharp sense of reasoning, they will blow your mind. You should be careful not to bend your house rules to please them. You can chuckle at their funny behaviors but endeavor to make them obey the rules at all times.
Characteristics of Brussels griffon
Before getting a breed of this kind, you should know these traits.
They Are Fragile
Brussels is a member of the toy breed. Toy breeds have very fragile makeup and can seriously be injured or killed if you do not give appropriate care. As puppies, their bones are frail and tender and can break if you sit or step on them. It is also the case if they leap from a very high position.
If you decide to own a griffon, you must ensure that you are ready to carry out regular supervision. This dog breed is tiny and can easily slip from your watch, so you must be alert. You can keep it safe indoors or in a well-fenced yard. Try to keep them from straying, at least not at a young age.
Potential Anti-Social Behavior
You can take out time to expose them properly from a tender age. This is because Brussels griffon can become aggressive when they meet people for the first time. It is worse when they feel you are invading their territory. It can make them bark unnecessarily or even result in biting.
Difficult To Housebreak
You are going to have an issue with keeping your Brussels puppy in one spot in the house. They are always very fast to sneak under a table or a chair. Owing to their small size, you might hardly notice this. However, if you intend to housebreak your puppy, there are several things that you can do.
The concept of housebreaking is necessary, especially if you intend to maintain order in your house. You can use crate training to keep them at a place. For griffons, housebreaking is necessary if you don’t want to have them break their bones. You can read this article to know more about housetraining your puppy.
Barking and Stubbornness
You might want to brace up for this part. Brussels can prove stubborn in most cases. They want to know if you mean what you say.
Barking for them is a norm. They bark at everything and everyone, especially when they are not familiar with it. You can curb these behaviors by establishing a good leadership relationship with them. Regular training, especially when they are young, is necessary because they learn faster and adapt to instructions when they are younger.
Grooming
Griffons are in two categories; smooth and rough-coated. Caring for a smooth-coated Brussels is easy. The task comes when you have a rough-coated one.
Many groomers suggest that grooming be carried out on rough coated Griffons every two months. Grooming is by clipping or hand stripping. Hand stripping is a better method. However, most groomers prefer clipping because it saves time.
Health Challenges
Griffons face several health challenges. One common health challenge they face is a joint disorder. Most of them face issues related to physical deformities, like large eyes and squashed noses. You can take your pet for regular checkups. You can click on https://pets.thenest.com/lhasa-apsos-predisposed-to-5087.html to know more about the health challenges of a Griffon.
Is This Dog Right For Me?
Before getting this dog breed, you should consider the following:
- They are fragile and will need intense care and monitor
- They do not require so many outdoor exercises
- They usually have rough coats that might not shed much
- They can show some stubborn traits
- They require regular training
- They need regular checkups due to their health challenge tendencies.
Conclusion
The most interesting characteristic of a Griffon is how they can look so serious and proud but remain a loving pet. If you are in for giving much attention to your pet, you should get a Brussels griffon. Keep in mind their health challenges and treat them nicely.
