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This image is copyright
Monkey Face Dogs
Mention that you own a Griffon Bruxellios and expect the reply to be "a Griffon what....?" This ugly -cute little dog originally hails from Brussells, hence the second part of the name, and Griffon is thought to have applied to rough-haired small dogs. Like so many breeds, the history is in dispute - there being several schools of thought on the origins. Some claim the dog to be of ancient heritage dating back to the 15th century and beyond. They claim the dog in a van Eyck painting "The Marriage of Giovanni Arnolfini and Giovanna Cenami" to be an early Griffon Bruxellois. Other 'experts' claim that until the late 19th century the breed was rather varied in type and was developed from crosses of Pugs, Yorkshire Terriers and other small rough coated dogs.
It is known that the Griffon was a small ratting dog in Brussells and was adopted by the purebred fraternity in the 1880's and became fashionable.
The first World War had a major effect on the breed and numbers declined, but coupled with the difficulties of keeping dogs during wartime, World War 11 stopped the breeding of most dogs in Europe and by the end of the war, very few Griffons existed in their native country.
Today, the breed has a strong following of fanciers, and although not one of the more numerically strong breeds, it is nonetheless in no danger of dying out.
Best described as an intelligent, spritely, robust, compact dog, the Griffon's most outstanding characteristic is the monkey-like face and captivating expression.
There are two types of Griffon - the Bruxellois which has the rough, wiry coat, and the Petit Brabancon which is smooth coated. In all other respects they are alike.Their temperament is very outgoing and 'terrier-like'.
The allowable coat colurs are red, black, or black and tan. The desirable size is 2.2kgs - 4.9kgs.