As to the origin of the Brussels Griffon, various theories have, from time to time, been put forward. The one most commonly advanced, by both English and Belgian fanciers, is, that the breed has been produced by crossing and recrossing the Pinscher, the Pug and the Spaniel. One old English dog fancier maintains that about fifty years ago a small wire haired toy dog about the size of a Bull Terrier was common in the mining districts of england; that Continental ladies took a fancy to these specimens and imported them into France and Belgium; and that the breed as we have it now has evolved from a second cross with the short-nosed progeny. There does not exist however, so far as the writer is aware, any authentic record, in writing, as to origin; and paitings by the old master appear to be the only reliable guides.
The celebrated painter Jan Van Eyck, who spent the greater portion of his life at Bruges in Belgium, has placed  on record (1434), in a full length picture of one Arnolfini and his wife, the portrait of a small which resembles, in many points, the modern Griffon. It is noticeable that the dog illustrated does not possess the snub nose; but this feature is undoubtedly, a modern acquisition, as in the case of the Toy Spaniel, the Bulldog and the Pug. It is interesting to compare the illustration with that of “Mousquetaire Rouge”, one of the earliest present day champions; the family likeness is self evident.
Between the years 1554 and 1640, Jacopo du Empoli is credited with having produce a picture of a dwarf, in the employ of Henry III of France, which portrays, amongst a collection of the monarch´s pets, two unmistakable Griffons. Be this as it may, the King appears to have owned a breed of dogs which were the forebears of the Griffon Bruxellois.
Other old pictures, of less known painters. Might be mentioned which portray little dogs with similar resemblances.
Fickle France, in the later years, relinquished this for other breeds. But the Griffon remained the pet of and was cherished by the Belgian working man and small shopkeeper. Eventually, the late Queen of the Belgians became infatuated with the breed and it soon became fashionable. Today, in Belgium, the breed is increasing in numbers and popularity; but, in the writer opinion, quality has not improved in proportion to the quantity bred, owing probably to not sufficient care being taken in crossing. The English, as well as the Americans have, for the last ten years, been big purchasers of the best specimens; and now England, although much behind as regards numbers, possesses in the writers view, better specimens than are to be seen in Belgium. Many Belgian judges have endorsed this opinion; and M. Gheude, the well known Belgian authority, stated in June last, that he considered in Ch Glenartney Sport and Ch Copthorne Treausere, this country possessed the two most perfect specimens of a dog and bitch of the breed in existence.
There are two sub-varieties of the breed the smooth or “Brabançon”(these differ only in the matter of coat) and the “Griffon Belge” (which differ only in the matter of the colour). Separate classes are, in Belgium, provided for each of these varieties. Of the alter, some dogs are black and black and tan, some red with a few  white hairs, and some pepper and salt.
The griffon Bruxellois was first introduced into this country so far as the writers knowledge goes, by Mrs. Kingscote, in about the year 1884; later importers or supporters of the breed were Mr. UVT, Miss Adela Gordon, Mr. Mosely and Mrs. Pearce. A Club was formed in September 1898, with Miss Adela Gordon as secretary, with a view of fostering the breed; and in February 1902 another Club (The Brussels Griffon Club of London) was founded. It would be unbecoming on the writers part to compare here, the merits of the one Club with the other. The great bone of contention between the two has been buried; and it is to be hoped that the Committee of each will see fit, in time, to let sink petty differences and unite in forming one strong and influential body.
The following are the various points which describe the correct appearance of the show Griffon as benched in England today:
The Brussels Griffon is essentially a large dog in miniature. Intelligent, sprightly. Of compact and cobby appearance, attracting ones attention by the quasi human expression of its face; perhaps for this reason good specimens are described, on the Continent, as having monkey faces (le vrai tete du singe).
The head should be rounded and furnished with irregular hairs, short and hard on the head, long and softer round the eyes, nose and cheeks. The ears should be small and semi-erect. The eyes large and very prominent, and black or nearly black, and the eyelids fringed with  black eyelashes. The nose cannot be too short. It should have a very pronounced stop, be absolutely black, and should be surrounded with hair growing upwards and meeting the fringe round the eyes. The lips should be black, and the upper one should be furnished with a moustache, while the chin should be prominent or undershot, without showing the teeth, and edged with a small beard. The chest should be wide and deep, set on straight legs of medium length. The feet should be small and well knuckled up, like the cats. The body should be as shot as possible in dogs, but more length is desirable in the bodies of the bitches. The tail should be erect, and docked to about 1 in to 2 ins. Long, according to the size of the dog. The coat should be hars and red, like Irish terrier, only a little longer.
M. and Mdme. Joseph Mans, M. And Mdme. Albert Mans, M. Martín, M. Gheude, Mdme Loupart, M. Barbe, M. Mouton, M. Ridder, Mdme. Orban, M. Ferdinad Jadoul and M. Polfleit, are names that are familiar to all interested in the breed in Belgium. Each large kennel has its characteristics, and it is by judicious crossing of these kennels that English breeders have improved the quality of the home bred stock.