The Brussels Griffon is a small breed of dog with a rather comical look and a personality to match. They have been described as resembling an Ewok from the Star Wars movies, and it’s not difficult to see why. These enchanting little dogs have a large domed head with a short muzzle, large, slightly protruding eyes, an over-bite, and a tongue that sometimes sticks out. Add to that a dense coat in red or brown with black face markings and the Ewok comparison is complete.

As the name suggests, the breed originated in Brussels, Belgium, and was first shown at the Brussels exhibition of 1880. The were originally kept as rat catchers and were particularly popular with cab drivers, who used the Griffon to keep their stables free of rodents.

This exposure resulted in the breed becoming more common as companion dogs, and as people became aware of their intelligence and affectionate nature they became popular pets. The Brussels Griffon is a happy-go-lucky little character that loves interacting with people and also enjoys the company of other dogs, and even cats they’ve been raised with.

They are born entertainers who seem to have a talent for slapstick comedy, and are also accomplished at performing tricks.But they’re no push-overs, these brave little dogs are not afraid to stand their ground against all-comers. They are very protective and make excellent watchdogs.

This unfortunately also makes them prone to dominance. You’ll need a firm, consistent hand with a Griffon, to make sure he understands his place in the pack hierarchy. If you fail to show leadership with this breed you’re likely to end up with dog who thinks he rules the roost and displays problem behaviors like barking, growling and snapping.This scenario is easy to avoid though, just give your dog enough exercise plus socialization and obedience training, and you’ll have a wonderfully balanced pet.

The Brussels Griffon is a robust healthy dog that typically lives 12 to 15 years. The are not affected by any major illness, although eye and respiratory problems can occur. They are also quite sensitive to heat.

Grooming does take a bit of time, particularly in the rough coated variety. The dog will need to be brushed every day, to keep it in good condition. The upside is that these dogs shed very little.

These are active little dogs and require daily exercise. Despite this, the Brussels Griffon does well in an apartment. They are very active indoors, as they patrol their “territory”, but they still need to get outdoors regularly.One other thing you should be aware of is that they love to climb, and can injury themselves falling from a bookshelf or cupboard. For the same reason they may be an escape risk if you have trees close to the boundary fence in your garden or back-yard.

Good dog names can be hard to find. The best advice is to try one of the online dog names, sites. My personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ, a site that has tons of excellent dog names to pick from, including thousands of male dog names.

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