Lizzie
Well-Known Member
Since some asked about Brussels Griffons, I thought it might be interesting for members to tell facts about their own breed of choice. So I'll start with BGs.
I showed my first dogs in England, in 1952. Through the years, I showed Great Danes, Dandie Dinmonts and handled a few other breeds for their owners. Every time I went to a show, I always seemed to notice the Brussels Griffons in the ring. I always thought one day I would like one. That didn't come for many years and after all my old dogs had gone to the Rainbow Bridge. So I did my homework and purchased a few. I showed them of course and bred only two litters. All are gone now, except Belvedere. He is not of my breeding, but was a present from a Gypsy Horse friend, when I lost my treasured BG, Gable in 2008.
They certainly are captivating little people. They are seemingly always happy and cheerful. They come in several colours and two coat types - rough and smooth. I prefer the rough (wire). The rough coats do require grooming to look like my pics of Belly on this site. If left ungroomed, it would be difficult to tell them from an ungroomed poodle.Their hair does grow to look wild and untidy. They can be kept happily in a small house or apartment, with either a short walk or playing fetch inside.
They were originally bred as ratters, so although they are considered a Toy breed - usually about 8-12 lbs., they are very game and all Terrier. My daughter has had two, who were very good ratters. She still has one 15 year old. And yes, they do seem to have very long lives, compared to some.
As in all breeds, some are prone to genetic problems, so homework is a must when considering purchase. They can be cropped or uncropped. In the US they usually have docked tails. They are very good at alerting their owners to anyone strange on the property and their bark is loud and piercing. Being a short-nosed breed, they do not do well if left out in hot weather. They are the extremely in the velcro department. Moreso than any other breed I have ever owned. They adore their owners. They seem to get along well with other breeds, although with their little short faces, one must protect them from dogs who might not like them. With their tiny little teeth, they cannot protect themselves in a dog fight. I discovered that some other breeds, might consider them to look like cats. In fact, I was at a horse show a few years back and going down in the elevator with two elderly ladies, they also thought the BG I was carrying, was a cat! As with many Toy breeds, I don't necessarily reccomend them for very young children. They do make a nice breed for the elderly though. Many also compete in agility.
So if you want a small dog of incredible fun and intelligence, with eyes to melt your heart, then consider a BG. Belly is certainly the most intelligent dog in any breed, I have owned during my life with dogs and I've trained a great many dogs. He will seek out something hidden and never give up until exhausted, if we let him. He will fetch anything thrown for as long as you throw it. He knows all his toys by name. He does all kinds of funny tricks and it takes him usually only minutes to learn something new. We have to spell a lot in our conversations, since he always knows what we are talking about. He pulls his blanket over himself, when he decided to take a nap. We didn't teach him that. He will sing along if I play the piano. If I sing, he puts his hand over my mouth. That must tell you something about my singing I suppose. Like all my dogs, he knows his basic obedience commands. I think this is a must for any dog, purebred or not. One funny thing he did a while back, which I thought I'd tell you about. I have osteoporosis, so exercise my arms with dumb bells. Belly has a large rubber dumb bell. He doesn't like it much, so never plays with it. I was exercising with mine one day and he watched me for a while. He ran into my office and fetched his rubber dumb bell and dropped it in front of me. I thought that was pretty interesting. I suspect like many of you, I could go on all day about the funny things my Belly and other BGs have done. But if the breed interests you, do give them a try. Sadly, there are way too many in rescue, so I advise looking there first, if you don't wish to show. Many puppy millers seem to breed BGs. You can see many in rescue and looking for homes, here...
http://www.brusselsg...cuestories.html
Some there are probably mixes since they do not resemble a purebred BG.
In memory of my beloved Peter Puddingface, whom I lost October 20th. 2011, aged 15 years.
I miss you every day, Peter.
Lizzie
I showed my first dogs in England, in 1952. Through the years, I showed Great Danes, Dandie Dinmonts and handled a few other breeds for their owners. Every time I went to a show, I always seemed to notice the Brussels Griffons in the ring. I always thought one day I would like one. That didn't come for many years and after all my old dogs had gone to the Rainbow Bridge. So I did my homework and purchased a few. I showed them of course and bred only two litters. All are gone now, except Belvedere. He is not of my breeding, but was a present from a Gypsy Horse friend, when I lost my treasured BG, Gable in 2008.
They certainly are captivating little people. They are seemingly always happy and cheerful. They come in several colours and two coat types - rough and smooth. I prefer the rough (wire). The rough coats do require grooming to look like my pics of Belly on this site. If left ungroomed, it would be difficult to tell them from an ungroomed poodle.Their hair does grow to look wild and untidy. They can be kept happily in a small house or apartment, with either a short walk or playing fetch inside.
They were originally bred as ratters, so although they are considered a Toy breed - usually about 8-12 lbs., they are very game and all Terrier. My daughter has had two, who were very good ratters. She still has one 15 year old. And yes, they do seem to have very long lives, compared to some.
As in all breeds, some are prone to genetic problems, so homework is a must when considering purchase. They can be cropped or uncropped. In the US they usually have docked tails. They are very good at alerting their owners to anyone strange on the property and their bark is loud and piercing. Being a short-nosed breed, they do not do well if left out in hot weather. They are the extremely in the velcro department. Moreso than any other breed I have ever owned. They adore their owners. They seem to get along well with other breeds, although with their little short faces, one must protect them from dogs who might not like them. With their tiny little teeth, they cannot protect themselves in a dog fight. I discovered that some other breeds, might consider them to look like cats. In fact, I was at a horse show a few years back and going down in the elevator with two elderly ladies, they also thought the BG I was carrying, was a cat! As with many Toy breeds, I don't necessarily reccomend them for very young children. They do make a nice breed for the elderly though. Many also compete in agility.
So if you want a small dog of incredible fun and intelligence, with eyes to melt your heart, then consider a BG. Belly is certainly the most intelligent dog in any breed, I have owned during my life with dogs and I've trained a great many dogs. He will seek out something hidden and never give up until exhausted, if we let him. He will fetch anything thrown for as long as you throw it. He knows all his toys by name. He does all kinds of funny tricks and it takes him usually only minutes to learn something new. We have to spell a lot in our conversations, since he always knows what we are talking about. He pulls his blanket over himself, when he decided to take a nap. We didn't teach him that. He will sing along if I play the piano. If I sing, he puts his hand over my mouth. That must tell you something about my singing I suppose. Like all my dogs, he knows his basic obedience commands. I think this is a must for any dog, purebred or not. One funny thing he did a while back, which I thought I'd tell you about. I have osteoporosis, so exercise my arms with dumb bells. Belly has a large rubber dumb bell. He doesn't like it much, so never plays with it. I was exercising with mine one day and he watched me for a while. He ran into my office and fetched his rubber dumb bell and dropped it in front of me. I thought that was pretty interesting. I suspect like many of you, I could go on all day about the funny things my Belly and other BGs have done. But if the breed interests you, do give them a try. Sadly, there are way too many in rescue, so I advise looking there first, if you don't wish to show. Many puppy millers seem to breed BGs. You can see many in rescue and looking for homes, here...
http://www.brusselsg...cuestories.html
Some there are probably mixes since they do not resemble a purebred BG.
In memory of my beloved Peter Puddingface, whom I lost October 20th. 2011, aged 15 years.
I miss you every day, Peter.
Lizzie
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