Griffon dog. Description, features, care and price of a griffin dog

Photo: Belgian Griffon dog breed

Before getting a dog, you need to decide on its breed. Anyone who wants to acquire a loyal, affectionate friend and cheerful companion for all family members should take a closer look at such a breed as the Belgian Griffon. These cute little dogs are ideal for apartment living, have good security qualities and have a special mindset.

History of the Belgian Griffon breed

The Belgian Griffon is a breed whose history is “documented” in the paintings of the Renaissance.
Confirmation of this is the famous “Portrait of the Arnolfini Couple” by Van Eyck, in which a miniature dog with a Griffon-like appearance approaches the hem of the dress of a female figure. Images of shaggy pets are also found in the engravings of Albrecht Durer, which makes it possible to determine the approximate age of the breed, which is almost 600 years. By the way, it is still not possible to find out which dogs gave the Belgian griffons such a touching exterior. Most often, Affenpinschers and ruby ​​Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are suspected in this case, to whose blood the genes of Pugs and Yorkies were later mixed. At first, the ancestors of griffons lived in stables and were engaged in not the most noble craft. More specifically, the animals were purposefully bred to catch rats that ate horse oats. After a while, the local nobility became interested in the tiny dogs - their amusing appearance and toy dimensions turned griffons into funny pets that were convenient to keep in their chambers or take to balls. Everyone who had at least a minimal understanding of selection immediately rushed to satisfy the needs of the elite; as a result, the Belgian kingdom was filled with small dogs with coarse hair and flattened faces.

“Belgians” began to appear at exhibitions in 1883, although at that time they were combined into one breed with Brussels Griffons. Around the same time, breeders in Foggy Albion became interested in animals, so soon Belgian griffons began to leave for England straight from the show rings. In 1904, the breed was finally standardized and completely separated from its relatives, the Petit Brabançons and the Brussels, which increased its popularity among Western and European dog breeders.

An important point: in order to obtain healthy offspring, Belgian Griffons are allowed to breed both with each other and with other representatives of the group of small Belgian dogs (Brussels Griffons, Petit Brabançons).

Kinds

The griffon breed includes three types of dogs:

• Belgian Griffon (wire-haired, black);

• Brussels Griffon (red fur, as hard as wire);

• Petit Brabançon (small Belgian dogs or smooth-haired griffins).

Belgian Griffon breed standard

The Belgian Griffon, Petit Brabançon and Brussels Griffon share the same standard of appearance, despite the fact that there are significant differences between the breeds that are visible to the naked eye. For example, Brussels and Belgian Griffons can be identified solely by their colors, which cannot be said about Petit Brabançons, which, unlike their shaggy relatives, have short and perfectly straight hair. As for the “Belgians” themselves, they are funny little eyes with hairy faces, more reminiscent not of dogs, but of heroes of European folklore - bearded gnomes and trolls.

Head

The Belgian Griffon has a moderately large, rounded head with a massive, convex forehead and a pronounced stop. The muzzle of purebred individuals of the classic brachycephalic type has a length of no more than 1.5 cm.

Jaws, teeth, lips

The lower jaw is wide and curved, allowing it to protrude beyond the upper teeth. As a result: all Belgian Griffons have a noticeable undershot. The animal's teeth are located tightly and in a line, and it is important that all the incisors are present. The lips should be black and fit tightly to the jaws. In addition, when the dog's mouth is closed, the tongue and front teeth should not be visible through it.

Nose

A large, coal-black lobe with flared nostrils is located at eye level. The tip of the nose is slightly pulled back.

Eyes

The breed has large, widely spaced, but not bulging eyes. The eyelid incision is rounded, completely hiding the white of the eye. The edge of the eyelid has a black border. The preferred iris color is dark brown.

Ears

For small Belgian dogs, both normal and cropped ears are acceptable. The undocked organ has a semi-erect “structure” and hangs slightly forward, but in no case to the side. Cropped ears have a pointed shape and stand strictly vertical (puppies' ears are temporarily glued to give a more stable position). The ear piece itself is very miniature, set high.

Neck

The necks of Belgian Griffons are of moderate length, smoothly blending into the withers.

Frame

Griffons have a square body format, that is, the length of the body is equal to the height of the animal at the withers. The back and lumbar area are shortened, but moderately muscular and of good width. The croup is flat or slightly sloping. The chest is developed, reaching the elbow joints, the stomach is taut with a clearly defined groin area.

Limbs

The front legs are distinguished by strong bones and a wide parallel stance. The dog's shoulders have distinct angulations, the elbows are kept close to the body. The hind legs are strong, parallel to each other, in harmonious balance with the front legs. The hock joints are located low, without turning inward or outward. Griffon paws are miniature, with tightly packed toes and pads of a uniform black color. When moving, the animal's hind legs provide a powerful push, while the front legs are not carried too high.

Tail

Like the ears, the tails of Belgian Griffons can be docked to ⅓ of their natural length, or they can be left natural. A normal tail is distinguished by a high set and raised position when the tip is not curled and does not touch the back.

Wool

The coat is of a double type: with a coarse, slightly wavy coat and moderately developed undercoat. The dog's face has clearly defined hairy eyebrows, a beard and mustache, which makes it look like a fairy-tale creature. The fur in these areas is much longer than in other areas of the body.

Color

The Belgian Griffon has a black or black and tan coat color. Tan marks should have uniform pigmentation and be located on the front legs from pasterns to paws, and on the hind legs - in the area between the paws and hocks. In addition, tan marks can occur on the cheekbones, sternum, under the lower eyelids, around the anus, on the inside of the ear and chin. The presence of a small proportion of white hairs on the chest is undesirable, but acceptable.

Disqualifying faults

To be prohibited from participating in exhibition events, the Belgian Griffon must have the following exterior defects:

• depigmented or weakly pigmented lobe;
• tongue hanging out from behind closed lips;
• white spots on the fur;
• excessively long upper jaw hanging over the lower jaw;
• skewed lower jaw;
• atypical colors (all except charcoal and black and tan).

Dogs with cryptorchidism and behavioral abnormalities (cowardly and angry) are also subject to disqualification.

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Personality of the Belgian Griffon

Belgian Griffons are comfortable pets in every sense. Playful, but not annoying, emotional, but easily controlled, these funny little eyes are observant and subtly sense when the owner needs to cheer up, and when it is better not to be zealous and go about their business. At the same time, human-orientedness is considered the main advantage of the breed, which is especially valuable in cases where the animal’s company is intended to brighten up everyday life, for example, for people with limited mobility and elderly owners.

Griffons do not compete with representatives of domestic fauna. Moreover, they absolutely do not care with whom they share their living space: with rodents, a family of cats or arrogant shepherds. These tiny pacifists are ready to do anything to maintain a peaceful atmosphere and quickly find their niche in the hierarchical system of the animal world. However, one should not confuse conflictlessness with outright cowardice. “Belgians” are very responsive to provocations and injustice from their own kind, therefore, if your charge is threatened by some Great Dane on the street, the tiny “bearded man” will not be too lazy to respond to the rudeness with a loud bark.

Belgian Griffons have a hard time putting up with loneliness, so it is advisable for the animal to live in a family where someone from the household will always be nearby. In addition, the breed has an amazing memory for faces and actions - the pet not only recognizes friends who appear in your house, but also builds an individual line of behavior for each. In the company of people from his inner circle, the Belgian Griffon behaves in a relaxed, trusting and friendly manner, coming up with various tricks and harmless pranks to attract attention to his own person. But strangers have to undergo a check when they first encounter a representative of this breed. At the sight of a stranger, the griffon turns on a mild suspicion mode, which gradually fades away if the two-legged “alien” does not try to offend the animal or the owner.

Belgian Griffons do not suffer from melancholy or depression; they are on a wave of positivity and willingly engage in play activities. At the same time, entertainment always requires a companion, which can be either the owner or any four-legged creature that is ready to perceive the griffon as an equal.

Nutrition

For a comfortable existence and proper development, any dog ​​needs proper nutrition, which includes the necessary vitamins and essential microelements. An adult Belgian needs to be fed twice a day (puppies more often), preferably at the same time.

When getting such a pet, you should remember that little pranksters love to eat. They will beg for food during lunch, breakfast and dinner

It is important not to succumb to provocations and not to react to the eyes of “Bambi the deer.” Once you show weakness, you will never be able to eradicate begging.

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If you plan to feed your pet with ready-made food, then preference should be given to super-premium class drying food. Cheap food can only harm the animal. Natural nutrition requires a more responsible approach. The menu must contain a lot of protein, that is, meat, as well as cereals, vegetables, fruits and dairy products.

Education and training

It is easy to fall under the charm of small Belgian dogs, but do not forget that a spoiled animal, even one as charming as the Belgian Griffon, is a big problem. In addition, at four months of age, tiny “barbels” begin to encroach on the status of leader and try to ignore the master’s authority. At first, such efforts look funny. However, the further a pet goes in its disobedience, the greater discomfort it threatens for a person who is forced to coexist in the same territory with an ill-mannered dog.

Correcting the habits of Belgian Griffons is relatively easy. The breed is distinguished by its intelligence and does not suffer from donkey stubbornness. At 2.5 months, puppies must undergo socialization, that is, learn to calmly accept the touch of their master’s hands, not be afraid of extraneous rustles, and respond to their own nickname. At the same time, it is worth considering that children who have not passed the three-month age limit have a hypersensitive psyche, which slows down the educational process. For this reason, young individuals should not be pressured or shouted at. It is better to stimulate them with a treat as the command is successfully completed.

It’s also not a good idea to demonstrate excessive loyalty, so if you’re not sure that your pet, who is passionate about an interesting activity, will want to hear the demand, you should temporarily pause the lesson. Remember, the command must always be executed. Let it be slow at first and distracted by extraneous factors, but ultimately the goal must be achieved. For this reason, dog handlers strongly advise against repeating demands. The young griffon will quickly realize that the owner is ready to wait, and in the future he will try to respond to commands after he has done more important things, in his opinion.

Teenage griffons are great lovers of food, plus at this age they have an extremely heightened sense of smell. Often driven by gastronomic instincts, “Belgians” resort to begging, but in no case should you be fooled by the animal’s touching, pseudo-hungry glances. Please note that food from your table should not be placed in front of your pet’s nose, otherwise it will be unrealistic to wean him from hypnotizing the gaze of the dining household members. Growling and attempts to bite people are also typical characteristics of the maturing Belgian Griffon. Spontaneous aggression must be stopped sharply and without malice. It is enough to shake a rambunctious dog by the collar or press him to the floor for him to realize that he has overdone it in his dominance.

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.

Maintenance and care

Despite its pronounced companion qualities, the Belgian Griffon is a decorative dog, demanding temperature conditions and comfort. Representatives of the breed go outside exclusively for a walk and for toilet needs, preferring to spend the rest of the time at home, in the company of the owner. In the apartment, the pet should have a separate corner with a comfortable bed or basket, as well as several untouchable things (toys), which the animal is not obliged to share with family members and other four-legged inhabitants.

A cage or indoor enclosure is not the Belgian Griffon’s favorite thing, but it is an indispensable structure for the owner when it is necessary to protect the dog from itself. It is better to place an animal in an improvised “penal pen” less frequently. For example, it is advisable to do this if the puppy exhibits destructive behavior and is left alone at home. However, the process of “conclusion” should be framed in such a way that the child does not perceive it as a punishment. Over time, the griffon gets used to the temporary limitations of space and endures them patiently, unless the matter drags on for several hours.

Hygiene

It is up to the owner to manage the shedding of the “Belgian”: the dogs do not shed their fur on their own, which obliges the owner to trim (pluck the fur). Pets are trimmed twice a year, and the procedure is carried out not seasonally, but as the coat matures. It is very simple to understand that the Belgian Griffon's hair is ready for renewal. Mature wool becomes dull and weakly adheres to the hair follicles. As an example: if you pulled the griffon by its protruding shaggy locks, but they remained in your hands, and the dog did not react to the action in any way, this is a signal that it is time to “pinch” the animal.

You can remove hair manually, or you can use a trimming knife, and the thoroughness of the procedure should be adjusted depending on the season. For example, for the winter it is better to leave the griffon's undercoat, which will act as a warming sweatshirt, and in the spring it is worth removing the hair more carefully so that the dog does not get hot. Your pet should be taught to be calm about trimming from puppyhood. At 3 months, the Belgian Griffon can begin to be pinched in the body and neck area, and at 6 months, the dog should be trimmed completely.

Always begin removing hair from the neck area, using sharp movements along the hair growth - this is the only way to minimize unpleasant sensations. The capture area should be small. Trying to pull out bunches that are thicker will not speed up the process, but will cause discomfort to your pet. The classic trimming sequence for the Belgian Griffon is: neck – back – sides – hips – legs to hocks. The tail is plucked by hand, very carefully, in bunches of several hairs, since there are many sensitive nerve endings in this part of the body.

The Belgian Griffon's head is also plucked without the use of trimming tools. The beard area is left untouched. The final touches are careful clipping of the hair on the bridge of the nose and inside the ear, trimming the mustache and beard line with scissors, as well as hygienic filing in the anal area. In between trimmings, Belgian Griffons should be combed with a stripping brush, which removes dead hair, stimulates blood circulation in the upper layers of the skin and adds shine to the coat. And for daily combing, a regular sparse comb is suitable.

It is better to bathe Belgian Griffons that do not travel to dog shows and exhibitions once every couple of months and always use shampoo for wire-haired breeds. But after walking along the city streets, it is recommended to wash your paws daily. Once a week, you should carefully examine the inside of your pet’s ear and remove the wax deposits that have accumulated there with a cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide or boiled and cooled vegetable oil. If you notice that the “Belgian” is vigorously shaking his ears, trying to scratch them with his paw and, in addition, squealing, immediately visit the veterinarian. It's probably an infection or ear mites.

Otherwise, caring for the Belgian Griffon does not require special skills. Once a month it is useful for a dog to shorten its claws, and once a week it needs to brush its teeth, not bypassing the hard-to-reach rear molars. Oral cleaning is a breed-mandatory procedure and should be taken seriously. Due to the specific structure of the jaws and the displacement of the salivary ducts, the teeth of the Belgian Griffon quickly become overgrown with tartar if they are not systematically cared for. In addition, after each feeding, it is worth going over the dog’s face with a clean cloth - the mustaches and beards of griffons are often dipped into a bowl of food, taking on an unkempt appearance.

Important: Under the eyes of “Belgians” there are small folds, disguised by mustaches, into which tear fluid flows. A humid environment attracts bacteria, causing wrinkled skin to become wet, inflamed, and emitting an unpleasant odor. To avoid this problem, sanitize skin folds with chlorhexidine twice a week. If the irritation process has gone far and disinfectant solutions do not help, zinc ointment and baby powder, which have drying and antiseptic properties, will help out.

Feeding

In order for the Belgian Griffon to be healthy and cheerful, you will have to maintain a BZHU balance, since overfeeding is no less harmful for the breed than underfeeding. If a dog is fed a commercially dried diet, it should not be a high protein variety. An adult Belgian Griffon needs food with a protein content of no more than 20-25%. Pressed kibble for puppies should be more nutritious, so “drying” is suitable for growing puppies, where the protein content is about 30%. An important nuance: you need to monitor the presence of calcium and phosphorus in your food. A complete diet should contain both elements, but in a reasonable dosage, since an excess of phosphorus leads to serious disruptions in the nervous system.

The Belgian Griffon's diet, which eats natural food, consists of 40% lean meat. The remaining 60% comes from cereals (porridge), vegetables, fish fillets, and dairy products. It is more beneficial to give meat and fish lightly boiled or thoroughly frozen, which will reduce the risk of infecting your pet with helminths. Useful vegetables include pumpkin, carrots, beets, cucumbers and tomatoes. But potatoes and legumes have nothing to do with the Belgian Griffon’s bowl, just like any food from the master’s table, including smoked meats, bones and sweets.

Two-month-old puppies eat up to five times a day, and feedings should be done at regular intervals. At the age of three months, the pet is allowed to switch to a four-time feeding regimen, and at six months - to a three-time feeding regimen. By the age of one year, the physical development of the Belgian Griffon is completely completed, so many breeders offer their four-legged charges food only twice a day - in the morning and in the evening. At the same time, some dog breeders recommend adhering to a three-times-a-day feeding schedule throughout the life of a griffon, since this approach reduces the burden on digestion.

Walk

The Griffon, like other small dogs, does not need much physical activity.

1. This is very convenient for older breeders or for those who, due to their busy schedule, cannot walk their pet every day.
2. If you train a dog to use a litter box, it can do without walking, but in this case you should definitely play outdoor games with the animal in the apartment to prevent obesity.
3. Griffons that are walked daily look better, grow and develop faster, and have a higher intellectual level.
4. The duration of the walk should not exceed an hour to an hour and a half. Active physical activity (running, jumping) should be avoided, as the animal gets tired quickly.

You should also not walk in crowded areas or take your dog on public transport, as griffins are very shy. It is better to walk in a specially designated area. If your dog becomes stubborn during a walk, you need to carefully switch its attention to something new. The dog is easily distracted and obeys the owner's orders.

Health and disease of Belgian Griffons

Belgian Griffons do not have a predisposition to cardiovascular and endocrine diseases, so the average life expectancy for dogs of this breed is 12-15 years. As for genetically inherited diseases, they are of a specific nature. For example, the bulk of the problems are caused by anomalies of the facial part of the pet’s skull, including cleft palate, jaw and nasal openings, stenosis of the nasal cavity, as well as hydrocephalus.

Another feature of the breed is the untimely replacement of milk teeth. Treatment in a particular case is quite simple: look into the baby’s mouth more often and take him to the veterinarian - sometimes it is better to remove baby teeth in advance, so as not to later observe how double rows of fangs form in the jaw. Belgian Griffons are also prone to eye ailments such as retinal atrophy, eyeball loss and cataracts. Some representatives of the breed exhibit a developmental anomaly such as distichiasis (growth of additional eyelashes).

Female breeds may experience complications during labor. As an example: many Belgian Griffon bitches require a caesarean section, and often the offspring that are born remain nonviable or have hereditary pathologies. In some dogs, eclampsia, also known as postpartum tetany, makes itself felt.

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.

How to choose a puppy

• Be responsible when choosing a seller. The Belgian Griffon is a rather rare and capricious breed in terms of breeding, so queues for puppies in nurseries are a common occurrence.
• Try to give preference to breeders who practice line breeding, in which breeding individuals have a common champion ancestor, although they themselves are not closely related.
• Pay special attention to the puppy's exterior. Overly big-headed “Belgians” with an overdeveloped forehead and a miniature body signal genetic mutations in the litter and the presence of the dwarfism gene, which sometimes manifests itself in the breed.
• Even if you don’t plan to conquer exhibitions with your pet in the future, it is better not to take animals with protruding tongues. This is a serious defect in appearance, in the presence of which Belgian Griffons are prohibited from breeding.
• Do not buy the fattest or, on the contrary, the smallest puppy in the litter, giving preference to moderately well-fed middle ones.
• Unfold the Belgian Griffon's coat and evaluate the uniformity of the undercoat, making sure there are no bald spots on the skin.
• Don't be charmed by furry babies with long hair. As they grow older, such hair does not acquire the necessary rigidity, which affects the breed appearance of the griffon.
• The extremely short muzzles of Belgian Griffons only look funny, but in reality they can cause a lot of problems. When choosing between a puppy with a classic brachycephalic type of muzzle and an extremely shortened one, give preference to the first.

Lifespan

A high level of immunity and the absence of genetic diseases have a positive effect on the life expectancy of pets. This breed is the leader in life expectancy among decorative dogs. The average age of animals is about 15 years, but in the most comfortable living conditions, they can please their owners for 20 years. Despite the breed’s high resistance to disease, animals often suffer from the following pathologies:

• conjunctivitis;
• cataract;
• retinal detachment;
• dysfunction of the eye muscles;
• diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• worms;
• skin parasites;
• complications during gestation and childbirth.

Proper care and a balanced diet will help you avoid these problems. Timely vaccinations against the following diseases can significantly extend the life of a griffon and prevent the occurrence of dangerous diseases:

• enteritis;
• leptospirosis;
• plague;
• parainfluenza;
• upper respiratory tract disease;
• periodontal disease;
• inflammatory processes in the oral cavity;
• hydrocephalus;
• rabies.

Briefly about the main thing

1. Belgian Griffons are part of the small dog group of Belgium;
2. Favorites of aristocrats and excellent rat catchers;
3. They have a stable psyche, a companion and a mini guard;
4. The characteristic color that distinguishes it from other small dogs of Belgium is black;
5. Have good health and long life expectancy;
6. Wool needs constant care - combing, trimming and cutting;
7. You should pay maximum attention to the preparation of your diet; you should feed only premium food;
8. The basis of natural nutrition is meat and cereals;
9. Natural food should not contain harmful products, this is deadly for the Belgian Griffon;
10. Buy a puppy only from a professional nursery.

Feeding

If you choose to feed with ready-made dry formulas, be sure to use premium food. You cannot overfeed your dog; gastrointestinal problems and vomiting may occur.

On natural feeding, the basis of nutrition should be the following products:

• chicken and turkey;
• cereals;
• vegetables;
• beef;
• sour milk;
• fruits.

Sweets, smoked foods, and sausages are absolutely excluded. Such products are deadly. Legumes, milk and small bones, and ice cream are prohibited.

In the summer, it is necessary to reduce the serving size and increase the amount of water.

Bowls with food should be placed so that they are at chest level. Otherwise, problems with the spine and stomach are possible.

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