Before it even existed the breed already had a name. Simply fascinating! There were few breeds of small, companion dogs before 1800, some small Terriers, the Pug, the small Spaniels, the Toy Bulldog... However, the ubiquitous rat catcher had also long been doing the job of companion; the Terries in England, Ratier in France and surrounding areas, the Affenpinscher in Germany, Smousje in Holland... Being spread among many different countries each had its own defining characteristics. If it had a beard and rough hair it was undoubtedly a Griffon.
This site hopes to be a meeting point for all lovers of the Griffon Bruxellois. Basically an informative site dedicated to the study of the origins and legends surrounding this interesting little dog. Small in size but with a great big spirit; brave, proud and alert, and, like nearly all companion breeds, never far from his master.
It is also a small tribute to Marjorie Cousens, author of the two best books to date about the breed: "Griffons Bruxellois" and "The Second Book of the Griffon Bruxellois". This last a surprising study of "lines" and "families" For those unfamiliar with these terms we can say that "line" refers to all the sires who appear at the top of a pedigree as far back as the last known. "Family" does the same, but this time for the bitches, at the botttom of the pedigree. I am not aware of a similar study having been done for any other dog breed.
This site is, then, a tribute to dogs in general, without whose existence you would not be reading this. Or at least not yet, for it was the domestication of the dog by humans that proved to be the first giant step in the cultural evolution of man. Or did the dog domesticate us first?
Thanks are due to to many people who collaborated with the birth of this site, especially Maureen Higgins (Hon. President of the Northern Griffon Club) for her selfless help in the search for information, contacts, books and, above all, her time.
And of course to my back-up team. Monty, Peggy and Chris Hannan for their unflagging patience.
Georgie is the pioneer of this breed and no doubt, will do her best to adapt to our way of life. Although it is already a pleasure to enjoy her lively temperament. Now her litter sister, Gracie, who is shared with Fran and Chus, has joined us. They are with us due to the faith that Jan den Otter & Hans Bleeker deposited in us. Thanks very much to you both!


Sources:
"Griffons Bruxellois" Marjorie Cousens. UK 1960
"The Second Book of the Griffon Bruxellois" Marjorie Cousens. UK
Hutchinsons Encyclopaedia. UK 1934
The Modern Dog Encyclopedia. Henry P. Davis. USA 1965
"The Cult of the Griffon Bruxellois" Mabel Parker-Rhodes. UK 1930
"Dogs in Britain" Clifford L.B. Hubbard. UK 1948
"The Griffon Bruxellois" Doone Raynham. UK 1998
"The Griffon Bruxellois Club" Handbook. UK 1964
"The Griffon Bruxellois" Centenary Handbook UK 1997
"The Griffon Bruxellois Book of Champions". Carol Ritchie & Jenny Kearney. UK 2000
"Progress" Griffon Bruxellois Breeders Associations. Different dates. UK
"Griffon Bruxellois, Griffon Belge, Petit Brabançon". Ilde Pucci/E. Villemot Braun. 1981