Brusston -- Brussels Griffon X Boston Terrier

		Brusston
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Belgium <> U.S.A. -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Brusston

The Brusston is a cross between the Brussels Griffon and the Boston Terrier. This hybrid breed looks a little like the elf-eared Jedi, Yoda from Star Wars, but with a lot more hair. A small dog with a stiff moustache on the muzzle and ears that droop at the tip, the Brusston is definitely a unique character. More often than not, the Brusston seems to take on the black-and-white coloring of the Boston Terrier, while retaining the stiff hair of the Brussels Griffon. Whatever this breed's appearance, it's its personality that really steals the show. Combining the feisty mischievous nature of the Brussels Griffon with the clownish joviality of the Boston Terrier, the Brusston is alert, loyal, loving, friendly, energetic and a bit of a rascal. Best suited to families with older children and the perfect size for any home, this breed would make an excellent companion for someone who really wants a friend for life.

History of the Brusston

The Brusston is a new breed, which means we don't have a widely known history of how they were born and where they started. But we do know a lot of interesting information about their parent breeds: the Brussels Griffon and the Boston Terrier. When you combine these two parent breeds, you get the Brusston, which is a loving, loyal dog that will gladly follow you to the ends of the earth without too much persuasion.

	A little of the Brussels Griffon
	The Brussels Griffon began life as a working dog. He was bred to hunt and kill vermin in the city's stables, but quickly gained popularity with nobles and workers alike. They were created from breeding with the Affenpinscher, Pug and English Toy Spaniel. Most notable was their almost human face or expressions. In 1883, Belgian breeders created a standard for the Brussels Griffon. Marie Henriette, Queen of Belgium, fell in love with the breed and began breeding them herself. The Brussels Griffon was exported to England in the 1890s, then found its way to the United States in 1899, where it was registered with the AKC. It was officially recognized as a breed in 1900. The number of dogs declined during the two world wars, as people couldn't afford to keep dogs. Fortunately for the Brussels Griffon, the breed was kept alive by dedicated breeders in England. It's a fairly rare dog today, but enjoyed great popularity in the 1950s, and enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in the 1990s when a Brussels Griffon surprised actor Jack Nicolson in a film entitled "As Good as It Gets".

	Standard of the Brussels Griffon
	A little of the Boston Terrier
	The Boston Terrier is often called the American Gentleman and is probably a cross between the Bulldog and the White English Terrier. This explains the breed's size and coloring. They were formerly known as Bull Terriers, but were given the name Boston Terrier in 1889. Originating in the USA, the Boston Terrier was bred to be a best friend and has a jovial, eager-to-please personality. This particular breed is a total clown and loves to get into mischief, so you can be sure that with a Boston Terrier around, you'll never be bored.

	Standard of the Boston Terrier

Appearance of the Brusston

Combining the colors and coat type of the two parent breeds, the Brusston is quite a unique type. There are two different coat types that could occur, long and stiff or short and rough. If the Brusston is long-haired, it will tend to have a small, bushy beard just at the tip of its muzzle behind the nose, looking a little like that of a strange sea creature or mole. The fur will have a stiff, long texture, so brushing will be necessary to prevent any mats or tangles. If the fur is short, there will be no beard, but the fur will always remain a harder texture and rest close to the body. Both types of fur can appear in a mixture of color combinations, but the two most common are black and white or brown and white. The eyes are dark brown and alert, while the ears are straight with a slight curve at the tip. This comical appearance suits the Brusston's personality and is sure to put a smile on your face.

Temperament of the Brusston

Because the Brusston is a cross between the Brussels Griffon and the Boston Terrier, it will have a mixture of both personalities. It's difficult to determine which personality will be stronger in a dog, even within the same litter, as this is a relatively new hybrid breed and little is known about its origins. However, the Brussels Griffon is a mischievous little dog with a fiery spirit, and the Boston Terrier is a lovable, lively comedian. When these two breeds are combined, we can assume that the result will be an even-tempered, lively, intelligent, loving, loyal and mischievous dog. While neither parent breed is known for being overly noisy or energetic, they do tend to bark from time to time and will need a decent amount of exercise to stay well behaved. However, the Brusston should train very easily and will want to spend as much time with you as possible, making socialization and training relatively stress-free. If you're looking for a companion dog that will keep things interesting and fun without overburdening you, the Brusston may be just what you're looking for.

Needs and activities of the Brusston

Because the Brusston has somewhat active parent breeds, it will need a moderate amount of exercise every day. Activities a few times a day such as a long walk, playing in the yard, chasing toys around the house, tug-of-war and working out are excellent ways to tire out your little friend, keeping him well-behaved and happy. Early training and socialization are very important when it comes to training your dog, as this will ensure that the Brusston knows how to behave with other animals and people. Although both parent breeds tend to be fairly easy to train, bear in mind that the Brussels Griffon has a bit of a naughty streak, so your Brusston may inherit this too. Just be patient and firm, and it'll all work out! Despite their clownish energy and mischievous nature, the Brusston will do well in any size of home and prefers a slightly warmer climate, especially if its coat takes on the Boston Terrier's shorter line. If it's too hot or cold outside for outdoor activities, you can always wear your Brusston with short periods of play in the house.

Maintenance of the Brusston

Neither the Boston Terrier nor the Brussels Griffon tend to shed very often, which means that maintaining your Brusston should be child's play. A few good brushings every week should be more than enough to keep your dog's coat healthy and free of loose hairs. Fortunately, bathing only needs to take place every few months or so, as none of the parent breeds have a bad dog smell. However, if your dog is particularly dirty, a bath will be necessary. In addition to brushing and bathing, regular nail trimming should take place every few weeks to keep feet healthy and free from snags from overly long nails. Although the Brusston is not totally hypoallergenic, it may be a better choice for someone with allergies as the low amount of shedding may not affect allergies compared to some other high shedding breeds.