Belgian Griffon: temperament, price, health, and breeders

The Belgian Griffon belongs to the family of small Belgian dogs along with the Brussels Griffon and the Petit Brabançon. It descends from the Smousje, an old small rough-haired dog from the Brussels region, formerly used to guard carriages and hunt rodents in stables. The breed gained popularity at the beginning of the 20th century before being definitively recognized by the FCI in 1954.

The Belgian Griffon is a small dog with a square format, elegant and well built despite its reduced size. It measures about 18 to 28 cm at the withers for 3 to 6 kg. Its round and expressive head, its very short muzzle, its large dark eyes and its harsh coat, fuller around the face, give it a very characteristic expression. Its coat is black or black and tan, with a medium-length coat, rough and slightly wavy.

The Belgian Griffon is an alert, affectionate and intelligent dog, very close to its family. It is alert, courageous and proud without being aggressive. Its temperament is generally balanced, sometimes with a slight reserve or shyness, especially if it has been poorly socialized.

It is above all a companion dog that likes to live indoors and share its owner's daily life. It does not tolerate prolonged solitude well and readily seeks human contact. Its need for exercise remains moderate, but it appreciates daily walks and small games that stimulate its liveliness.

His training is made easier by his intelligence and his strong attachment to his owner. The Belgian Griffon responds well to a consistent method, gentle and firm at the same time, with early socialization to limit shyness. Short, positive and regular sessions are well suited to this small, sensitive and attentive dog.

The Belgian Griffon is a fairly confidential breed whose price depends mainly on the seriousness of the breeding, the lineage and the quality of the puppy’s socialization. At the time of purchase, it is preferable to prioritize health transparency and the breeder’s follow-up rather than an abnormally low price.

The Belgian Griffon generally has fairly robust health for a small companion dog, provided it comes from a serious selection and is monitored regularly. Its compact size and active temperament do not prevent it from being exposed to a few orthopedic and ocular fragilities that deserve real vigilance.

The Belgian Griffon needs a complete, digestible diet adapted to its small size. The quality of the ration matters more than the volume, because this dog must remain slim while maintaining good muscle mass.

The Belgian Griffon is distinguished above all from the Brussels Griffon by its color, black or black and tan, whereas their morphology is very similar. With the Petit Brabançon, they form the three recognized small Belgian dogs. Despite its appearance as a companion dog, it retains in its history a past as a small helper in stables and a hunter of pests.