Grifón de Bruselas"The Griffon Bruxellois"

There is no need to associate the little Griffon exclusively with the city of Brussels. It had become fashionable in Antwerp, Mechlin and most of the towns of Flanders some thirty years ago, when it first attracted the attention of British dog-loving visitor. It was the custom in Belgium to crop the ears to a fine point and to dock the tail of about half its length. In Britain we continue to dock the tail; but we allow the ears to grow naturally, making a considerable difference in the dog´s appearance. There are three varieties of the breed, known respectively as the Griffon Belge, the Petit Brabançon and the Griffon Bruxellois. Their disparities are very slight, confined to the colour and consistency of the coat, and the three are so intimately related that a representative of each may appear in one and the same litter. The Brabançon is distinguished by being smooth-coated, and it may be either red or black and tan. In the rough Griffon Belges the approved colour is black and tan but grey or fawn also occurs. The Griffon Bruxellois is most important. Its coat is harsh and wiry, irregular, rather long and thick, and its colour is a warm red, resembling that of the familiar Irish terrier. The breed is divided by size; the light weight may be anything under 5 lb. Maximum, the heavy weight goes to a maximum of 9 lb.
Griffons were first imported into England in 1894 and soon made their appearance at leading dog shows. The progress towards popularity was not very rapid. At first there was indecision as to the true type, and this remained a perplexity until certain improvements towards uniformity had been effected. The form of the dog´s under-jaw was considered of little importance in English kennel; but a prominent and rather impudent chin is now rightly recognized as a significant characteristic. In the early days a Griffon with a red, pin-wire coat was rarely met with; but by means of crossing the rough with the smooth, the much-desired wiry consistency of the jacket was attained. Attention was given to the carriage of the ears. These are now small, semi-erect and nicely folded.
At its best it is a charming little companion, lively as a Terrier, wonderfully intelligent, affectionate, and hardy in constitution.
What immediately impresses the stranger is the Griffon´s quaint, amusingly human countenance, with its shaggy beard and moustache and pouting under-lip. Old-mannish, but not ugly, for there is decided beauty in the big dark eyes so full of energy, yet so eloquently soft, with their long black lashes and beetling brows. The nose is very short and surrounded with bristly hairs converging upward to meet the hair surrounding the eyes. In body conformation the Griffon is compact and cobby, fairly wide and deep in the chest, with straight legs of medium length, and a docked, gaily carried tail.
They have a very receptive brain in their little round heads, and are very amenable to discipline, obedient and responsive.