Around the later part of the 19th Century Griffons were being kept on the waterfronts and in the Hansom Cab Stables of Brussels where they were kept as ratters. The cab drivers fell in love with their wonderfully friendly personalities, thus they ended up on the seat riding besides the drivers where they became well known for their monkey faces and pert expressions. The first breed standard was drawn up in the 1880's and breed classes were first scheduled in 1883. By 1890 they had become all the rage in Belgium and were taken up by Queen Astrid of the Belgians. The first imports into England were around 1890 and first registered in 1894 when several were imported. The first two champions came around the turn of the century with Bruno a Belgian import and then Mousequetaire Rouge bred in England. The first club set up in England was the Griffon Bruxellois Club established in 1897. The Centenary was held in 1997 with a weekend get together, seminar and Championship show. I attended the weekend and it was a lovely weekend with the show outdoors. It was held in the Midlands with Griffon enthusiasts attending from around the world. There seems two main versions of the History of the Belge Griffon. One is that it is an old breed and points to a picture by Jan Van Eyck, painted in 1434 which shows a small reddish dog resembling a Brussels Griffon. The second painting, this time by Renoir and dated back to the 1870's entitled "La Baigneuse au Griffon" shows a very small black and tan griffon. The second version is that the breed was not known before around 1880 and was bred from the Affenpincher, the Ruby King Charles Spaniel and the Pug, possibly with crosses with the Yorkshire Terrier.
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General
* Appearance 
The Griffon is a sturdy toy dog of square proportions with a domed head,
undershot jaw, very short nose and lustrous eyes. The head is large in
comparison to the body. The Brussels Griffon's pout gives him an almost
human expression. To some viewers he resembles a miniature Boxer. There
are two types: Rough-Coated (harsh wiry and dense), and Smooth-Coated or
Petit Brabancon variety (short, straight, glossy). The Brabancon needs
less grooming. Griffons come in red, a mixture of red-brown & black,
black & tan, and solid black. Ears are generally cropped and
the tail is docked and carried high, though cropping the ears is
optional.
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| Temperament
The
Belge Griffon is an intelligent cheerful dog with a terrier-like
disposition. They make a fine companion dog. It is affectionate, willful
and high-strung, but charming. Lively and curious, they love everyone,
but can get quite moody. Unusually sensitive and quite demanding, this
breed loves to be spoiled. It must be raised in the house with the
family. The Griffon is good with other dogs and even with cats. These
dogs may be gluttonous or picky eaters and may be difficult to
housebreak. They make good watchdogs and can be taught to perform tricks.
Griffons like to bark. They do best with older considerate children.
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CHARACTER
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| Height,
Weight
Height: 7-8 inches (18-20cm) Weight: 6-12 pounds (2.5-5.5kg) Health Problems * They are difficult to breed. Dams often require Cesarean section for whelping. Some are prone to slipped stifle, eyes and respiratory problems.
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| Living
Conditions
Griffons are good dogs for
apartment life and will do okay without a yard.
Exercise*These little dogs are very active indoors and little exercise is needed on the owner's part. They get pretty much all they need throughout the day on their own. Life* ExpectancyAbout 12-15 years.
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| Grooming
The
coat of the Rough requires a lot of attention, however the coat of the
pet dogs may be clipped. The Griffon sheds little to no hair.
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Faults Note* Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scroum.
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Griffon Belg 
History 
