Brussels Griffon

Temperament

The FCI standard describes the Griffon as well-balanced, alert, proud and very attached to its owner, neither timid nor aggressive. It often picks one person in the family and follows them everywhere. The AKC rates it highly for openness, playfulness and trainability, and also for its tendency to bark, since a Griffon alertly announces every visitor. Despite its small size, it has a big personality and can be comically stubborn. It can be sensitive, so it doesn't like rough handling or noisy, chaotic play with small children. It handles long periods alone poorly. It usually gets along with other pets if it met them early. It loves learning tricks and enjoys showing off for its family.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Barking

quietvocal

With other dogs

difficultgreat

Protectiveness

lowhigh

Drooling

hardly anya lot

Cold tolerance

feels the coldexcellent

Heat tolerance

strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Brussels Griffon for?

The Brussels Griffon suits adults and seniors living in the city who spend a lot of time at home and want a small, alert companion dog. Before buying, check whether the breeder screens dogs for BOAS and CM/SM, and be ready for vet bills. It's not a good choice for families with small children, people who want a running partner, or those who spend many hours away from home.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

The Royal Kennel Club recommends about half an hour of exercise a day, and a Griffon will gladly add indoor play to that. Because of its short muzzle, avoid walks in the heat and exertion in high humidity; in summer go out in the morning and evening, and provide a cool spot indoors. Use a harness rather than a collar so there's no pressure on the neck. Brush the rough coat several times a week, hand-strip it a few times a year, and wipe the beard after meals. Check the large eyes every day, since they scratch easily. The small teeth need regular brushing. Reward-based training works well, and short trick-training sessions are a great substitute for part of the walk on hot days.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Griffon is a brachycephalic breed with serious health problems linked to the shape of its head. A 2014 study by Knowler and colleagues cites conservative estimates that about 65% of the breed have Chiari-like malformation and 42–52% have syringomyelia, fluid-filled cavities in the spinal cord that cause chronic pain in some dogs. In 2026 the Royal Kennel Club made BOAS breathing assessment a recommended breeding test (formally from 2027), and it also lists an eye exam as good practice. The AKC also lists heart disease, cataracts, patellar luxation and hip dysplasia, along with breathing problems in hot weather and snoring. The AKC gives a life expectancy of 12–15 years.

• Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia (CM/SM)Conservative estimates put CM at about 65% of the breed and syringomyelia at 42–52%; in some dogs it causes chronic pain.
• brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)The short muzzle makes breathing harder, especially in hot weather; the dogs often snore.
• eye diseasesThe large, prominent eyes are easily injured; the AKC also lists cataracts.
• patellar luxationThe AKC recommends a patella evaluation for breeding dogs.
• hip dysplasiaOn the AKC's list of recommended tests.
• heart diseaseThe AKC lists it among the conditions breeders test for.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

According to the FCI standard, all three griffons descend from a small, rough-coated dog called the smousje, which lived around Brussels for centuries. It guarded carriages and killed rodents in stables; the AKC mentions the "griffons d'écurie," or stable griffons, of Brussels cab drivers. In the 19th century, crosses with the ruby King Charles Spaniel and the Pug fixed the current type and produced the smooth-coated variety. In 1883 the first Brussels Griffons, Topsy and Foxine, were registered. Around 1900 the breed became fashionable thanks to the interest of Belgium's Queen Marie Henriette. In 1997 a Griffon starred alongside Jack Nicholson in the film "As Good as It Gets."

Fun facts

• The first Brussels Griffons, Topsy and Foxine, were entered in the Belgian stud book in 1883.
• The FCI standard describes the Griffon's expression as almost human.
• The Brussels Griffon can only be red; black dogs are Belgian Griffons, and smooth-coated ones are Petit Brabançons.
• A Griffon starred with Jack Nicholson in the 1997 film "As Good as It Gets."

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Small dog breeds
• Best dogs for apartments

Sources

1. 1FCI standard nr 80-81-82 – Griffon Bruxellois, Griffon Belge, Petit Brabançonfci.be
2. 2AKC – Brussels Griffonakc.org
3. 3Royal Kennel Club – Griffon Bruxelloisroyalkennelclub.com
4. 4Knowler i in. 2014, Quantitative Analysis of Chiari-Like Malformation and Syringomyelia in the Griffon Bruxellois Dog (PLoS One)pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.