HISTORY OF THE GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS

The Brussels Griffon is not a dog of beauty (except in the eyes of the beholder) as measured by accepted standards, but one teeming with personality, hence it is not surprising that he makes lasting friends wherever he is known.  Griffon Bruxellois are available in two distinct types the whiskers and beard is the rough coated griffon and the Petit Brabancom is the smooth coated. 

 

Griffons originated in Brussels as early as the 1434 where a griffon was included in Jan Van Eyck’s painting Marriage of Giovanni Arnolfinia and Jacopo du empoli (1545-1650) who also included griffons in his paintings.  The German Affenpinscher and the Belgian street dog, combined were the true foundation from which our Griffons emanated, and there is only meager data available on both of these seventeenth-century breeds.   The griffon was often a favourite of European royalty such as Queen Henrietta Maria, Queen Astrid and other notables figured in the early history of the breed. 

The 19^th century saw the present day griffon emerge and develop as the native street dog called Griffon D’Ecruie or stable griffon and they paid for their keep by killing the stable vermin.   It is not uncommon to run across mention of these loyal companions as “chiens barbus” in the old folk songs and tales of the period for they were to be found in nearly every household.  He is classified as a toy, there is nothing of the pampered pet in this bundle of jaunty good nature whose keynote is insouciance from his very turned up nose to the tip of his gaily carried tail, but possesses the disposition of a much bigger dog.      

 

His monkey face and upturned nose and sparkling eyes give him an almost human expression.  Whatever his owner wants to do for exercise swim, go for walks, ride or just sit around the griffon is capable of holding his own with his vitality and animation. 

And so we come to the twentieth century Brussels Griffon, a small compact dog with a harsh coat similar to that of the Irish Terrier (or else a smooth coat traceable to the Pug and termed Brabancon), with a short upturned face best described as a “speaking countenance” and a gay carriage.    

 

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