Today, the Griffon dog is the oldest decorative breed. It appeared about 500 years ago.
Today, the Griffon dog is the oldest decorative breed.
An interesting fact is that these beautiful dogs can be seen in gorgeous paintings by talented painters who lived in the 15th century. Most often, griffins lived in the houses of wealthy Belgians. These animals, like Wolfspitz, were used to exterminate rodents.
The Griffon dog breed was first officially presented in 1880 at a large-scale exhibition in Brussels. Three years later it was registered in Belgium.
Today, such dogs can be found in almost all countries of the world, and they continue to gain popularity. There are 3 types of griffons:
- smooth- haired;
- Belgian;
- Brussels
Griffins are very similar, but they differ in coat type and color.
Most often, griffins lived in the houses of wealthy Belgians
History of the variety
It should be noted right away that the Griffon is a non-existent breed of dog. More precisely, it is a composite image that includes several breeds. All of them belong to small Belgian dogs.
It's difficult to say when they originally appeared. But already in the nineteenth century, miniature dogs perfectly protected sheds and barns from mice and rats.
But over time, they were appreciated by aristocrats and simply wealthy people, who decided that a small dog would look much better in a luxurious living room than in a barn. So they turned into decorative pets.
For reference! For the first time one of the breeds was demonstrated at the exhibition in 1880.
Training
Dogs of the Griffon breed achieve excellent results in competitions and sports. It should be remembered that at first the dwarf griffin was instilled with hunting instincts, so training will not be easy.
First you need to gain the baby's trust in the owner. Repeat the exercises several times, achieving obedience.
For a small dog, training will be more likely during play. Rewarding with small pieces of goodies will consolidate the result. Miniature griffins will become your faithful companions, not letting you get bored. Just don’t pamper them too much; smart dogs will take advantage of this.
Characteristics and description of varieties
As mentioned above, the concept of griffon often includes several breeds bred in parallel. To better understand the issue, you should study each of them separately.
They do not differ too much in size - on average, height at the withers is 26-32 centimeters with a weight of about 3.5-6 kilograms. But still there are differences and very noticeable ones.
Brussels
Perhaps the most common member of the family. It has a very hard, wiry coat. Not too long, but very thick, allowing both to withstand bad weather and protect against rat bites.
The main color is brown and all its shades. Quite often there is a black mask on the face.
Belgian
Externally, the Belgian Griffon is similar to the Brussels Griffon. In fact, the only difference is the color - this breed is characterized by black and black and tan coats.
Brabançon
If the reader is interested in the smooth-haired griffon, then he should give preference to the Brabançon (not the Barbados, as some believe!). Or, more precisely, Petit Brabançon - that’s what this breed is called.
Her coat is short, but at the same time quite tough. There are different colors: red, black, black and tan. Moreover, red-haired individuals often have a black mask.
British (English) fawn basset griffon
The breed developed in parallel from those listed above and, in fact, apart from a similar name, has nothing in common.
Basset griffins are much larger - at the withers about 39-45 cm with a weight of 18-20 kg.
The ears are long and the coat is straight. The color can be tri-color, but in most cases white dogs are found.
Corthals Griffon or French Wirehaired Griffon
The Korthals Griffon is not at all similar to the Belgian.
Like the Basset Griffon, it has nothing to do with the small Belgian breeds. Actually, it’s not even a griffon, but a pointer. Height at the withers is 50-60 cm (bitches are usually about 5 cm shorter).
They were bred in the mid-sixteenth century and were actively used in hunting. The coat is tough, but feels more like boar bristles than wire, like real griffons.
The usual color is steel gray, sometimes with brown markings. But the standard also allows brown-white, brown-roan, and any combination of these colors.
Mating
Experienced breeders know that dogs become sexually mature at 12-14 months of life , but animals cannot be bred that early, because they are not yet able to conceive and bear offspring.
- Usually, bitches are brought on their 3rd heat (15-17 days from the start) . It is important to choose a male that is slightly smaller in size than the female, so that the puppies are not too large for her body.
- For the first time, you can contact a specialist . He will tell you what to do and help the dogs during the act.
- The pets are walked together, most often on an empty stomach, and then taken to the dog’s territory. Usually animals behave actively: sniffing, flirting. If there is no such reaction, then it is possible that the dogs do not perceive each other.
- During the process, the male is helped to find a comfortable position and the girl is held. After the “lock” has occurred, the pets are not released for another 30-40 minutes . Repeated mating is carried out after 2 days.
Advantages and disadvantages
Each dog has certain advantages and disadvantages. It is very important to know about them in order to be able to choose a pet that will definitely not disappoint. And the griffon is a dog that is no exception.
Interesting! The mortality rate for griffon puppies is quite high. But the surviving dogs very rarely get sick with anything.
The main advantages are:
- Good health and excellent immunity.
- Excellent character - friendly, positive, balanced.
- Thick coat that perfectly protects the dog from cold, wind and rain.
- Endurance.
Alas, there are some weak points here. For example, the griffin dog is quite expensive in Russia, and throughout the post-Soviet space. And due to their rarity, it can be very difficult to find a pair for mating.
In addition, childbirth is quite difficult, which makes this breed not the best choice for first-time owners.
The structure of the muzzle is very unusual
How to choose the right puppy
The best option for choosing a puppy is an official kennel. Only there you can examine the animal yourself, get acquainted with the pedigree of its parents and the veterinarian’s report.
If a nursery values its reputation, it will under no circumstances conceal information in the hope of simply making more money. If the dog has a predisposition to any diseases, this will be reported. A significant disadvantage of such nurseries is that the prices for animals are overpriced.
Important! Adopting a dog is a responsible step that should not be taken hastily. It is best not to adopt a sick puppy into your family. This could end in very tragic events. Also, you cannot take a dog from a photograph without meeting it in person.
Breed standard
To avoid getting into trouble when choosing a pet, it would be a good idea to learn more about the standards that experts set for the breed. After all, the requirements here are quite strict.
Head
For a miniature dog, his head is quite large. At the same time, the muzzle is very unusual - flat and with special proportions, which makes it look like a human face. Around the eyes, on the chin and cheekbones, the hair is especially coarse, long and tousled.
Jaws and teeth
The lower jaw is wide, slightly curved upward. Slightly longer than the top one, due to which an undershot characteristic of the breed is formed - in this case this is not a defect.
The incisors on both jaws are positioned so that they form a straight line. The mouth is tightly closed so that the tongue and teeth do not stick out - this can already be regarded as a defect.
Attention! Experts always pay attention to the chin - its width and protruding part - it must be harmonious.
Nose
It has a very non-standard fit - at the same level as the eyes. The lobe is black, with widely opened nostrils, and wide. The tip is tilted back, which is especially noticeable when you look at it from the side.
Eyes
Round and large, set wide, but at the same time not too prominent. Usually there is a dark color - like brown. It is important to ensure that the entire area of the eye is dark - the whites should not be visible. Light-colored, oval or too small eyes may be considered a defect.
Ears
Small, planted high and quite far from each other. If they are not cropped, the ears hang slightly forward, being only half erect. If they are too large or hang to one side, this may be considered a defect by experts.
When docked, they stand firmly and have sharp ends. Depending on the standards of the federation operating in a particular country, docking may or may not be mandatory.
Interesting! It is still unknown exactly what breeds the griffon came from. Possible ancestors include Terrier, Smoushond, French Barbet and Affen Pinscher.
Neck
Not too long, but strong. The transition from head to withers is very smooth, not clearly expressed.
Frame
The length of the body and its height at the withers are almost the same. Because of this, the small dog looks quite strong and powerful - and all thanks to its almost square format.
Limbs
Both front and rear should be spaced quite widely. The paws themselves are round, small, facing forward - not turned in or out. Tightly clenched (but not fused) fingers. The pads are dark, almost black, thick. The claws are preferably dark or even black.
Tail
Set on high and carried up. When docked, about 2/3 of the tail remains. The tip faces the back, but should not curl, break or touch the back.
Brabançon Griffon - a myth embodied in a dog
Most of our readers have hardly heard of the breed that we are going to talk about today, even if they are convinced dog lovers. Petit Brabançons are one of the varieties of griffin dogs, the main feature of which is the amazing combination of appearance features of numerous ancestors. Indeed, this dog seems to have been assembled from various parts, emphasizing this unique “mix” with a charming feature - an easily recognizable muzzle.
Photo: @yukki_faye.
Presumably, the Petit Brabançon breed appeared during the Late Middle Ages and originates from the Dutch Duchy of Brabant. Among the ancestors of this amazing dog, features of the Brussels Griffon, German Affenpinscher and even the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be traced. Despite their ancient origins, the Petit Brabançon was presented at an official dog show only in 1880, and a unified breed standard was adopted only in 1963. Today we have before us a representative of this unique breed - Yukki, together with his owner Ekaterina @yukki_faye .
Photo: @yukki_faye.
- Hello Kate! Woof, Yukki! I admit, even for me this breed became a kind of discovery. Griffins are quite famous, but not many people know about their varieties. How did you learn about Petit Brabançons and why did you choose this dog?
- Hello! I found my dog by comparing a whole series of wishes that created for me the image of an ideal pet. First of all, he was a dog that was great with children. Secondly, it had to be as mobile as possible - for convenient movement even on public transport. Thirdly, you could easily take it to a meeting with friends, to any event, and not experience unnecessary inconvenience. Putting it all together, I discovered an amazing breed - the Petit Brabançon. This dog turned out to be exactly what I needed!
Photo: @yukki_faye
- Surprisingly rational approach. But in such a matter, even a sober calculation cannot do without a strong emotional attraction. How did you meet?
— I forgot to mention: I need to add to the series of preferences - I wanted a black puppy. And he was found! The breeder sent me a photo of an adorable creature, which I immediately fell in love with. True, it was not possible to pick him up right away - I “booked” the puppy and left for Tallinn. We met a month and a half later - and it was a memorable event! Yukki fit perfectly into the new family, as if he had lived with us all his life.
Photo: @yukki_faye.
- Yukki - what is he like?
- Very active! In principle, this is typical for this breed, but still surprising out of habit. I work at home, so Yukki is next to me most of the time. This guy definitely enjoys these conditions - he adapts perfectly to my rhythm of life. He’s so at home at home, he’s not particularly eager to go outside. He sleeps on the bed with us, snuggling either with me or with my husband. Close contact with the owner is very important for him.
You can learn everything about the PTI-BRABANCON breed from our ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BREEDS
Yukki also loves to eat, like all Petit Brabançons. Moreover, he prefers fruits and vegetables. Instead of meat, Yucca will sell his soul for an apple, cucumber or watermelon! Such an amazing dog. He cannot stand boredom, and the time of day does not matter. If after midnight a night fury rushes around the room rumbling, it means Yukka is going on an unscheduled run. This is a very positive and loyal dog that appreciates human attention. If she chooses a certain family member as her master, it’s forever!
Photo: @yukki_faye.
— A companion dog, as it was intended from above! What does such a relationship require from the owner? How difficult is it to care for a Petit Brabançon?
— Caring for a Petit Brabançon is extremely simple. In the summer, after a walk, we use wet wipes to clean our paws. In winter, when snow is often mixed with mud, I wash my paws in the sink. Yukka has no problems with bathing at all - no panic! Due to his short fur, he also dries quickly. But we do have problems with molting - during this period we have to comb out Yuccas especially carefully. Fortunately, molting is a short-term problem. The main thing you should pay attention to if you have a Petit Bramançon is the folds on the face. Just like your eyes, they should be cleaned regularly to remove excess moisture. Excessive moisture in these areas can cause severe irritation. Well, “for a snack” - these dogs don’t like bad weather. In rain, wind and snow, it is recommended to pack them in reliable and warm clothing. We have a raincoat, sweater and overalls for Yucca - for every season.
Photo: @yukki_faye.
“Such reverent care for a pet evokes respect.”
- But this is only if we talk about the material component. There is also a spiritual one. Petit Brabançons cannot stand being alone. In order for these dogs to develop normally and harmoniously, they need regular communication with their owner. By “communication”, in this case, I mean training. The fact is that Petit Brabançons are a very dominant breed. If you don’t point them to the right place in time, they will, without a twinge of conscience, twist ropes out of you. Any dog breeder understands perfectly well that this cannot be allowed.
Photo: @yukki_faye
— Important clarification. What can you say about your pet’s diet? What do you eat?
“We use dry food as a base, which Yukie receives three times a day. To diversify it somehow, add pieces of turkey and a spoonful of broth to his bowl. This is a combination of industrial and natural feed. Yukki receives special treats during training - for this occasion we purchase dried duck slices. For such a reward, he is ready to carry out our commands for several hours in a row!
Photo: @yukki_faye
“That’s what life-giving delicacy does!” Tell us more about Yukki. This time I won’t limit you to an interview—tell me what you want.
“I’ll tell you a story about outstanding valor and the establishment of chain of command in one separate village. Once we were vacationing in the countryside, with relatives. In the animal world of this place, a cat with the self-explanatory nickname “Yakuza” played a special role. Indeed, this charming creature has “taken over” the entire neighborhood—all the cats and dogs, including the owner’s trio of shepherd dogs. That was until Yukki arrived here. He didn’t know about her special status! Therefore, he behaved like a normal dog with a normal cat! And on the very first day he drove me into the oven, which, fortunately, was not melted at that time. Since then they have become friends. And the Yakuza showed Yukka the greatest sign of their recognition - she began to lap up the water from his bowl.
Photo: @yukki_faye
- Impressive! This case once again proves that size does not matter, the main thing is impulse! Is Yucca your only pet, or do you have other animals in your family?
— Two months after Yucca, an extreme oriental kitten named Fay appeared in our family. At the beginning of this “cohabitation” I was very afraid of how the kitten and puppy would find common ground. But in practice everything worked out just perfect - already on the second night they slept side by side. From now on, I try not to interfere in their relationship - they play, quarrel and make peace on their own, doing well without the participation of their owners. It is interesting that Petit Brabançons are said to be cat-dogs, and Orientals are said to be cat-dogs. Perhaps this is precisely the key to their successful coexistence? If I ever decide to get myself another pet, it will undoubtedly be a Petit Brabançon. This dog fully lived up to the wishes presented to her!
Photo: @yukki_faye
— Ekaterina, thank you very much for yours! We will be happy to follow your ponytails in your profile). And now you have the opportunity to address our readers.
— Petit Brabançons are perfect for families with children and just single people. Owners of any age cope well with them. They lift your spirits perfectly and will never let you get bored! This dog is an eternal puppy. He will be playful and devoted to you until old age. Due to its light weight (up to 6 kg), you can easily take it with you on a trip. Once you get acquainted with this breed, you will probably find it difficult to switch to another dog. Therefore, with a clear conscience I can recommend you the Petit Brabançon as a pet. Love, patience and understanding to you!
View this post on Instagram
Posted by Katerina Karkus (@yukki_faye) Jun 11, 2021 at 2:41 PDT
If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl+Enter.
Alexey Egorov
Author, employee of “My good one”. Having an attachment to things with history, he constantly strives to learn new things and discover something unusual, something that has not yet been tried. Loves the vastness of the oceans, mountains, fields and the feeling of unity with nature.
0
Disqualifying faults
Due to the structure of the jaw, the dog seems to be always unhappy.
At the exhibition, the black griffin is a rather rare dog. Therefore, judges carefully study each representative of the breed.
The following deviations are considered defects:
- White spots.
- Color deviations from those specified in the standard.
- Protrusion of the upper jaw over the lower jaw.
- Skewed lower jaw.
- Not a black nose.
- When the mouth is closed, the tongue is still visible.
Owner reviews
Christina:
I just adore my snub-nosed baby. This is just some kind of incredible miracle. My dear Charlie turned out to be very smart and very clean. True, sometimes he really wants to seem proud and independent, but it looks so funny from the outside.
My husband and I don’t have children yet, but we do have a cat. So he and Charlik are inseparable. And they sleep together and eat from the same bowl. And you can’t look at their games together without smiling.
But the snub-nosed one doesn’t like to be left alone. As soon as you go out and close the door, he immediately starts whining and complaining that everyone abandoned him. And when you return, you may even look offended and turn away.
Anastasia:
I got this dog for my birthday. An excellent breed for an apartment. And these cute and charming dogs can become a good friend for girls and women who want to feel like a lady with a dog.
But we have two problems. My Georgie is very stubborn and his eyes often hurt. In general, I am very pleased with this gift.
Tell us about your little, funny, four-legged friends. Share your observations about what your pet loves and what annoys you. We are interested in everything that concerns these charming Belgian Griffons.
Share
Leave a review
Hygiene
Hygiene is quite simple - little more difficult than when working with short-haired dogs.
- Every week you need to comb out the hair - a comb with sparse teeth is suitable for this.
- Griffon grooming should be done as rarely as possible - only before performances and exhibitions.
- But partial trimming of the griffon will have to be done every month - it is necessary to trim the hair near the anus so that it does not get dirty.
Important! After each meal, you need to wipe or wash the “beard” - it constantly gets dirty.
Examination of eyes and ears - every day. If your eyes are watery, wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in tea leaves. Clean your ears with ear sticks slightly moistened in warm water.
Tartar can cause certain problems - to prevent its occurrence, it is advisable to regularly give the dog bones or toys that are intended for dogs that like to chew something.
A gorgeous beard is the pride of a griffin
Health
Immunity against viral and colds is quite high, with adequate care and good living conditions.
Problems such as complications during childbirth, additional or altered eyelashes, dislocation of the eyeball, clouding of the crystalline lens, or retinal degeneration are common. An excessively elevated nose or narrowing of the nasal passages may occur.
When selling, Brussels Griffon puppies must be vaccinated according to all rules. In addition, they need to be examined by a specialist to exclude congenital and hereditary pathologies.
Recommended age for sale is 3 months.
Lifespan and reproduction
Of course, when getting a dog, any breeder will think about how many years it can live in a family. Well, life expectancy is quite good - on average 10-15 years. The spread is quite large, since the specific number largely depends on the quality of food, care, and regularity of visits to the veterinarian. In many ways, how long a pet will live depends on the attitude of the owner.
Males and females aged 10-12 months are suitable for breeding. But it is better to select older bitches - no younger than one and a half years old. Why? Because at this age the dog will be strong enough to give birth to healthy, strong puppies without risk to life.
What to feed the decorative griffon
Griffon dogs are quite active and can expend a lot of energy. That's why they love to eat delicious food. However, there is no need to overfeed your pet. After eating, be sure to wipe the dog's beard to remove any remaining food.
Since griffons are active dogs that love to eat, breeders advise giving them ready-made food, which was once developed by specialists for the smallest breeds.
The dog is a carnivore. His stomach is simply not able to digest large amounts of plant food. Therefore, raw food is better than cooked food.
If you do not want to use ready-made food, you should include porridge, meat (except pork), vegetables, sea fish (except pollock), and fermented milk products in your diet. You need to add garlic to these products several times a week, this will be the best prevention against worms. It is allowed to give the dog dandelion leaves, parsley, boiled eggs, lettuce, brewer's yeast and nettle leaves.
