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Griffon Bruxellois in America
All-Celia's Spring Song
Owned Miss Iris de la Torre. USA
It is with undeniable pleasure that, at Mrs. Rhodes´s request, I, as secretary of the Brussels Griffon Club of America, herein undertake to give my readers some idea of the development of the Brussels Griffon in America.
Of late the breed has shown quite an increase in registrations and rise in number of entries at the leading shows which augurs well. So many Griffons, however, are owned by people who are not interested in the sport of showing that it is well night impossible to get entries which would give any idea as to the actual number of Brussels Griffons in our midst.
The Belgian standard for the breed is the one we use and I am pleased to state that there is a surprisingly large number of outstanding Griffs, in the United Estates today.
The general consensus of opinion among fanciers here is that the Brussels Griffon´s lay back and placement of nose without which he cannot hope for monkey like expression, are of paramount importance. However, American breeders are not neglecting the development of the rest of the dog in favour of these two points, for balance is what we are striving to attain.
Griffons are usually allotted to all-rounder at our shows. The Toy judges seem to favour the short face and the cobby body while, on the other hand, those all-rounder who are terrier experts lay most particular stress on texture of coat, colour, legs, and general soundness. As a matter of fact most of our all-rounder are men judges and are insistent upon these four last mentioned points.
As I have already mentioned, we heve some exceptional specimens in this country, but the rank and file, the pets and brood matrons, are not yet what they should be. Poor brood matrons cannot be expected to produce litters of uniform good quality.
Persons in search of a Griff, as a pet want them, for the most as small as possible, but fanciers prefer their stock weighing between seven and eight pounds.
Separate classes have been formed for smooth Griffons although they are not nearly so popular here as their bewhiskered brethren. As the smooths compete with the roughs for winners they have a rather difficult time winning their championships.
The Brussels Griffon Club of America is supported by a group of enthusiastic souls, but is labouring under a great handicap. The majority of the Brussels Griffons here are owned by the wealthy ones who love their pets but are neither interested in the development of the breed nor in the sport that exhibiting affords. The club is of no interest to these people, consequently they do not support it. It remains, therefore, for the breeders, who live great distances apart and whose number is not by any means legion, as in Pekinese, to keep the club alive. Nevertheless, the club has a list of trophies offered to members for yearly competition and foster speciality shows.
All told the Brussels Griffon has a very rosy future in the United States as the breed is favourite with society and is showing a marked advance in quality as well as quantity at our leading shows.
Iris de la Torre Bueno. Secretary Brussels Griffon Club of America. "The cult of the Griffon Bruxellois". 1931
