Belgian Griffon: breed description, photo, care, maintenance, feeding

Education and training

It is better to start raising a pet from the moment it arrives in the family.
This rule applies to any animal. A positive aspect of raising a Belgian Griffon is its natural intelligence. You won't need much effort to get him to behave decently.

But it should be remembered that the dog’s character is strongly focused on the owner. She finds it difficult to remain alone even for a short time. Therefore, when planning a long trip, you should seriously think about how and where the dog will spend this time. The best solution would be to take it with you. Otherwise, the dog may be seriously offended by the owner and his behavior will deteriorate.

In addition, you should not constantly keep your animal in a cage at home. They really need physical contact. Otherwise, it is possible to develop depression and commit hooligan acts in order to attract attention.

Griffons quickly master any commands. The main thing in training is regularity, gentleness and encouragement.

Character

The Belgian Griffon has a balanced, friendly character. This is a very inquisitive, positive and energetic dog.

The Belgian is smart and understanding, he needs the attention of his owner, but will never bother him if he feels that he is busy or not in the mood.

Griffon is an ideal companion, smart and kind. Doesn't speak unless needed. Gets along well with kids and is considered a family dog.

The Belgian always strives to be in the spotlight. She loves to sleep in the owner's bed, on a sofa cushion, or simply on the owner's lap. He is tireless in active games, ready to frolic with children all day long.

Aggression is not observed either in puppies or in mature individuals. It is not in the nature of the Belgian Griffon to rush at strangers or guests at home.

The dog behaves warily with strangers, but only at first. Having familiarized himself a little, the Belgian will show his good character and can start a game.

Representatives of the Belgian breed show either indifference or friendliness towards other pets.

The greatest grief for a griffon is being left alone for a long time, being separated from its owner.

Health

Due to the uncertainty surrounding the griffon's ancestry, it is very difficult to determine their genetic weaknesses. In general, this dog is not particularly sickly, with strong immunity and health. In any case, this breed is considered a long-liver (13-15 years, the oldest is 20 years).
There are a number of diseases that are often found in Belgian Griffons. However, with proper care and, if necessary, treatment, the pet is not in danger.

Vaccinations

Vaccination is required for all domestic dogs. It provides immunity from dangerous infectious and viral diseases. Usually the cost of vaccination does not exceed 1000 rubles, but this depends on the drug.

Before the procedure itself, it is necessary to cleanse the pet’s body of worms and other parasites using special tablets (purchased at a pet store). You also need to maintain home care, because puppies are most susceptible to dangerous bacteria. After vaccination, it is important to provide the griffon with an incubation period (14-15 days).

There are two types of basic vaccinations for dogs:

Complex vaccination (enteritis, leptospirosis, para-influenza, plague) is done at 1.5, 2.5, 6, 12 months consistently and is updated every year.
Rabies vaccination is required for export abroad ; the puppy is vaccinated at 7 months and annually thereafter.

All procedures are carried out in veterinary clinics by specialists. It is also necessary to obtain a veterinary passport - the main document of the pet. All medications that your dog has taken or is taking, in particular, anthelmintics and flea medications, will be entered there.

Diseases

Representatives of this breed are characterized by several classifications of diseases:

Eye diseases: extra eyelashes, conjunctivitis, loss of eyeballs (weak eye muscles), cataracts, problems with the eyes;
Dislocations of the kneecaps (most often due to unscrupulous breeders and poor conditions for keeping the puppy);
Viral and infectious diseases (if all vaccinations are available, the risks are reduced to 10-15%);
Parasites (both intestinal and cutaneous);
Difficult pregnancy and childbirth (due to the small size, it is sometimes difficult for a female to bear and give birth to healthy puppies, veterinarians help with this).

Since these dogs are not particularly prone to various health problems, it is important for the owner to monitor the pet (feeding, coat) and the likelihood of losing the animal will decrease.

Belgian Griffon Disease Susceptibility

Health of the Belgian Griffon breed, like all dogs, is prone to certain diseases, although in general these animals have good immunity:

hip dysplasia;
luxation of the patella;
Eye problems - the Brussels Griffon's eyes are prone to scratching and irritation;
skin allergies - they are often prone to allergies. If you see itching or excessive licking of the paws, contact your veterinarian.

Walk

This breed is quite active. Physical activity is important to them: games, jogging, training. Of course, 10-20 minutes a couple of times a day is enough for a “walk”, but then all the main physical activity of the pet will take place in the apartment.
With insufficient walks, Belgian Griffons begin to feel sad ; breeders claim that the lack of fresh air negatively affects the life expectancy of these dogs.
The best option would be joint tourist trips , morning and evening jogging. Sometimes even the most banal shopping trip can become a real adventure for a griffon.
For walking, you should choose a harness and tape measure. Leashes and collars are not recommended: due to its small size, such a dog can be strangled. You can only release it when the pet knows the basic commands and is accustomed to walking next to its owner. Otherwise, he may run away.

It is important to let your pet communicate with the outside world: sniff the ground, other dogs, people. However, you should watch what your pet chews and licks.

A haircut

The hard and thick coat of the griffon needs not only combing, but also trimming. This procedure is carried out two to four times a year. If you do not pluck out the old wool, the entire coat will become covered with tangles, and the floor will be strewn with hair.

A pinched dog looks neat, the contours of an athletic body are visible.

In addition, you need to trim the facial hair regularly. Such procedures require concentration, time and skill. Therefore, it is better to entrust trimming and cutting to professionals. If the owner decides to carry out the procedure on his own, it is worth contacting a salon, where a specialist will show you which zones to distribute trimming into, what is the best way to carry it out and at what time.

After the procedure, some dogs may experience skin problems: minor bruises, pimples, sores. Usually, they go away on their own, but it is better to wash them with a special antiseptic shampoo diluted with water. If problems persist, you need to visit a veterinarian.

Grooming

The Belgian Griffon's coat is hard and thick. Despite this, they do not shed or emit unpleasant odors. However, because of this, the dog needs to be trimmed (plucked) 2-3 times a year to remove old fur, this is especially important during seasonal shedding.

There is no need to cut your pet's hair (except for the areas around the eyes).
In addition, it is important to comb the animal free of debris using soft brushes 2-3 times a week . Using a stiff brush – 3-4 times a month. Bathing is allowed no more than once every 3 months (only with the help of special shampoos).
The griffon's claws need to be trimmed every 2-3 weeks so that they do not wear down during walks. Carefully monitor the condition of your eyes, ears and nose. If possible, clean every 2-3 days .
Particular attention is paid to the beard : after each meal, it is necessary to wash the coat and comb it so that individual hairs do not stick together and dry out.
After walks, you need to wash your paws and clean the pads of small debris.

Features of intelligence

Belgian Griffons are smart and observant pets. They are easy to train, but upbringing may cause difficulties due to their willfulness and stubbornness.

Belgian training should begin as early as possible so that the pet grows up obedient.

It is worth refraining from too strict training. Ideally, you can turn this process into a game and praise your baby often. Thanks to their intelligence, Griffons quickly adapt to the daily routine at home.

They are ready to do a lot to be praised by their owner. Despite their goodwill, "Belgians" can become jealous of their owner if he gives preference to other family members. But they do not show any aggression towards their opponent.

Representatives of this breed are distinguished by excellent obedience. They love outdoor games and easily learn various tricks.

How to choose a puppy

It is best to buy a puppy at the age of 2 months. He should have thick, rich-colored fur, a large body, and a developed chest. A good Belgian Griffon puppy should be heavier than its brothers.

The baby must stand on its own paws and have a flat back. When choosing a puppy, you need to focus on the official description of the breed. Griffons should have even teeth (6 incisors in each jaw), a correct bite, a not very short nose, dark, lively and large eyes.

By 2 months, a Belgian Griffon puppy should be sociable, not afraid of strangers, and wagging its tail.

It is not advisable to adopt a dog that trembles at the sight of a stranger. It will take too much time for such an animal to adapt.

Belgian Griffon puppies must be vaccinated in accordance with the vaccination schedule. When purchasing an animal, you need to ask the seller for a veterinary passport.

The Griffon puppy should not have any discharge from its eyes or nose. The skin on the tummy should be clean, without scratching. An important condition is the absence of parasites. It is not advisable to buy a Belgian Griffon at a poultry market; the animals sold there may be sick. It is best to buy a puppy from a good kennel. In such places, purebred and healthy dogs are sold.

Description of the breed

The Belgian Griffon is a miniature, square-shaped dog with strong bones and an expressive muzzle. Its highlight is the human features of the “face”. This provides a constant reason for jokes and affection.

Breed standard:

Dimensions: height does not have a standard, but averages range from 26 to 32 cm; weight: 3.5 – 6 kg.
The head is large, with a rounded skull and convex forehead. A pronounced transition from the forehead to the muzzle.
The nose is colored black. The nostrils are well cut.
The lips are black, dense, and fit well together.
The lower jaw is curved upward, slightly protruding beyond the upper. Snack.
The eyes are quite large, round, but not protruding. Widely spaced. The iris is dark brown. Stroke black.
The ears are miniature, high-set. Cropped and natural options are allowed. Uncropped ears should hang forward and not to the side.
The neck is moderately long, gently blending into the withers.
The back is short, strong, with a slightly convex loin.
The chest is quite wide, with a pronounced sternum.
The tail is high set, raised to the top. Cropped and natural options are allowed. In the first case, 2/3 of the usual length is left. A curled, short, broken tail is a defect in accordance with the standard.
The limbs are parallel, with strong bones. The paws are neat and small. The shape is round.

The coat is hard, with a slight wave, and requires regular trimming. The face has characteristic eyebrows, beard and mustache. The cheekbones and muzzle are covered with long, thick hair. Soft, silky six is unacceptable by the standard.

Colors

The Belgian Griffon has only two color options: black and black and tan. The spots must be a clean, uniform color. A small amount of white chest hair is acceptable. White spots are considered a violation of the standard.

Mating

There are several varieties of griffons. They differ in coat color and body type. Belgian, Brussels Griffon, Petit Brabançon can interbreed.

To get puppies of a certain breed, you need to choose the right partner for mating. Before fertilization, it is recommended to carefully examine the animal and study its pedigree.

Mating is carried out when males reach 12 months, and females - 15 months, later, but not earlier. Belgian Griffon puppies born before this date will not receive documents confirming the quality of the breed.

It is not advisable to breed a dog during its first heat. It is first recommended to take your pet to exhibitions and study potential suitors. At the time of mating, the two dogs must be absolutely healthy.

History of the breed

The Belgian and Brussels Griffons, as well as the Petit Brabançon, are part of the Belgian small dogs group. Griffons are a wire-haired species with thick eyebrows and a beard. The Petit Brabançon is a smooth-haired baby without a beard or mustache. He also falls into the shorthair category.

The entire group is descended from the local smousje dog, which was kept on farms to hunt rats. The Belgian variety is the result of crossing a Smousje and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. In the course of further selection, the “Belgians” were bred with Affenpinschers, Yorkies, dwarf schnauzers and pugs.

Mini dogs spread to Belgium in the 15th century and were loved by ladies from high society. They began to be used as a fashion accessory when going out. There are dozens of paintings by Belgian artists depicting ladies with griffins.

This breed was also used for hunting rats. A few miniature dogs could clear an entire farm of rodents. However, their sweet faces with human expression turned them into completely decorative dogs.

"The Belgians" was presented to the public in 1880. The first breed standard dates back to 1904. Since then, it has been rewritten several times: the last edition dates back to 2003.

Translated from French, “griffon” means “wiry-haired.”

How much do puppies cost?

The price of dogs of different breeds is not always the same. It depends on the pedigree of the animals and their exhibition career.

The pet-class Belgian Griffon dog breed costs $200-300. Such animals do not participate in exhibitions because they do not meet the standards. Representatives of the breed class can be valued at $400. True, such dogs have no right to participate in international exhibitions. Show class animals have an excellent pedigree. They cost about $1,000. Such dogs can participate in international exhibitions and compete for the main prize.

Vaccinations

Innate immunity in puppies lasts up to 2 months. Then they need to get a comprehensive vaccination (against plague, hepatitis, leptospirosis, rabies, infectious enteritis). Before the injection, the animal is given anthelmintic drugs.

The first vaccination is usually complex. It protects your pet from several of the most common diseases at once. However, the full dose of the vaccine is administered to the puppy in two doses. Between injections take a break of 2 weeks. All Griffon vaccinations are given before the age of four months. The dog is vaccinated before or after the change of milk teeth. At 10 months the animal is vaccinated again. A year later, another vaccination is given.

Nurseries

Kennels where Belgian Griffon dogs are bred:

H'it Ulduz, Mytishchi, Moscow region https://hitulduz.wixsite.com.
Neo Classics, Mytishchi, Moscow region https://chihuahua.rf.
Cerberus, Mytishchi, Moscow region (link to website https://www.cerberplus.com.

Belgian Griffons are small, friendly pets that are ideal for keeping in city apartments. The dogs are cheerful and energetic, they have a pleasant, funny face with smart human eyes. Animals will not let their owners get bored; they will cheer up and brighten up the loneliness of elderly people.

Socialization

Representatives of this breed are a little stubborn. It will be difficult for novice dog breeders to teach them order. However, if you are persistent, the animal will become obedient.

Belgian Griffons are sensitive and touchy creatures. If you constantly yell at them, they will become aggressive and start biting. Sometimes they snarl and growl.

Dogs love to play with children, but hate being hugged. The pets are not aggressive, but they hardly tolerate the antics of the kids.