This is a charming variety of terrier and one that has become extremely fashionable, though it is difficult thing for any one with moderate means to obtain a really good specimen of the breed. The Griffon is a very companionable and makes a sharp house-dog; in fact, it would be very difficult matter for any lady to obtain a more suitable lap-dog. It has a very quaint appearance, and it is in this quaintness that its chief attraction lies. It is somewhat singular that there are no reliable data as to how the breed really originated, nevertheless there is sufficient evidence to show that it is a manufactured article. Several theories have been propounded, though these are variance. Obviously, from the conformation of the animal, the colour, length, and texture of the coat, &c., one is forced to the conclusion that the Brussels Griffon must contain an element of the Yorkshire Terrier, and possibly the Toy Spaniel.

A casual observer will at once note the terrier-like conformation of the body and the limbs, whilst the dome-skull and upturned nose must have been derived either from the Pug or Toy Spaniel.

As the name signifies, it came originally from Belgium, and some excellent specimens are bred in that country; but as they are both cropped and docked there, they are unable to compete under the rules of the British Kennel Club, an authority which dictates the laws of the kennel world. There are not many breeders of this variety, and as indifferent specimens are frequently met with, one should be rather careful in making a selection.

The best plan is to buy from a breeder of acknowledged reputation and pay a fair price for a young dog, say from ten to twelve guineas, selecting one preferably that has had distemper.

A well-bred Griffon is avery nice possession, and no lady need be ashamed of her companion, as it is very fascinating.

It is not a breed that requires the same amount of attention as the Yorkshire Terrier and certain other toy dogs; therefore, if a lady has not much time to devote to a dog´s toilet, the Griffon is the dog to choose. To a certain extent it has supplanted the breed last named, but the ladies will become more enthusiastic over the Griffon Bruxellois. There is nothing like the enthusiasm of the fair sex for carrying matters to a successful issue.

The average weight of these little terrier is about 5 lbs., though some of them scale double this weight.

A brown nose, white marks, and a protruding tongue are disqualify features, and so should a protruding lower jaw also disqualify, though the latter is looked upon as being converse of this. Light eyes, a soft tuft of hair on the head, and brown toe-nails are decidedly faulty, and would seriously handicap a dog for any other purpose than that of companionship.

The colour of the coat and its texture are important; the former should be almost akin to that of the Irish Terrier, and the latter similar to that of a wire-haired terrier, that is to say, hard to the feel.

The body should be short and compact, and the limbs straight and well placed in relationship to the body. The head is certainly the most striking feature, and should be large and rounded, covered with coarse hair, whilst the eyes ought to be large also, black, with long black eyelashes.

The nose should be short, also black and turned up, the more the better. The lower jaw must have a good sweep, so as to render the chin very prominent, from which a small beard should hang. Lips black and furnished with a moustache. The correct type of the ears is a semi-erect one, but in a cropped dog the ears must be erect.

The more moustache and beard a Griffon has the better, provided that it is of the right texture. Many of these dogs have what is called "a soft top knot", which is faulty. The Tail must be docked, and it should be of sufficient length, so as to give a nicely balanced appearance to the body.

The author has on several occasions been struck with the remarkable affection of the Brussels Griffon for its mistress and the degree of good fellow-ship that seems to at once establish itself between the two.

In keeping these dogs no special management is required, the only essentials being regular feeding, the daily use of the brush and stripping, along with plenty of exercise. You must not wash a Griffon often, as this destroys not only the texture but the colour also of the coat, but a good stiff brush is most essential.

In selection of a pup, try and get one extremely short in the face, with a hard coat, of a red colour, and smaller the better.

Published in 1911. "Barton"