 |
Grifficairn |
|
He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Belgium <> Great Britain -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Grifficairn |
| The Grifficairn is an ideal blend of the Brussels Griffon and the Cairn Terrier, both of which are toy dogs. They generally weigh around 5.5 kilos and average 28 centimeters in height. Their coats are generally short and stiff, with medium density. Grifficairn love everyone and are suitable for people with children and other pets. They are easy to train, although some dogs take a little more time and patience to learn. Their Terrier attitude makes them courageous and fearless protectors, which also makes them good watchdogs. However, they don't like to be left alone for too long, so they do well when there are other pets in the household. |
History of the Grifficairn |
| The Grifficairn is a new hybrid dog with no detailed history. However, each of the hybrid's two parent breeds has a long history. |
A little of the Brussels Griffon |
||
| The Brussels Griffon originated in Belgium in the 1800s and was used as a ratter to keep stables free of vermin. This breed comes in two varieties, which are the rough-coated and smooth-coated types. They take their name from the city where they were first born, namely Brussels, Belgium. Their ancestor, the Griffon d'Ecurie, was a stable dog in the early 19th century that was a favorite of cab drivers and farmers. Later in the century, they were bred with the English Toy Spaniel, Pug, Affenpinscher and Yorkshire Terrier. They are thought to have obtained their size and rough coat from the Affenpinscher, the facial quality of the Pug and the large eyes of the English Toy Spaniel. The Yorkshire Terrier contributed to the smooth coat of the Brussels Griffon. They have two other varieties, the Belgian Griffon and the Petit Brabancon, but they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The Brussels Griffon is the 97th most popular breed in the United States and was accepted by the AKC in 1910. | ||
 |
||
| Standard of the Brussels Griffon | ||
A little of the Cairn Terrier |
||
| The Cairn Terrier has been around since the 1500s and was one of Scotland's first original Terriers. This breed was known for its impressive ability to hunt badgers and foxes, hence the name as a cairn is the rocky den where badgers and foxes live. They are thought to be the ancestors of the Skye Terrier, West Highland White Terrier and Scottish Terrier. They became increasingly popular in the 1930s when a Cairn Terrier played the role of Toto in The Wizard of Oz. The AKC officially accepted the Cairn Terrier in 1913 and they are the 70th most popular breed in the USA. | ||
 |
||
| Standard of the Cairn Terrier |
Appearance of the Grifficairn |
| This breed has a short, hard coat that can be stiff and has a medium density. They can come in almost any color, including black, gray, brown, red, cream, fawn and brindle. However, they usually have a dark, bushy face with triangular ears that perk up when they listen, which is almost always the case. They are small, measuring around 28 centimeters and weighing around 5.5 kilos. Their legs are short but muscular, with small feet that are good for digging. Their big brown eyes are constantly alert and curious, and their black nose is small and blends well with the dark muzzle. |
Temperament of the Grifficairn |
| This breed is highly intelligent, likes to be the center of attention and wants to be with the family all the time. Since they are fearless and courageous, they need to be well socialized and trained so they know how to behave with guests. However, they get on well with other pets, including the other dogs at your local dog park. Training them is easy enough, as they learn quickly and love to be praised for it. Some dogs may have problems with training at home but, with time, patience and positive reinforcement, it shouldn't be too difficult. Be sure to offer your dog plenty of activities if you're going away for a while, as he hates being left alone. |
Needs and activities of the Grifficairn |
| Grifficairn needs at least one hour of activity a day to be healthy and happy. If your dog doesn't get enough exercise, he may develop behavioral problems such as excessive barking, chewing or digging. Some of the activities your Grifficairn may enjoy are hiking in the woods, jogging, swimming, Frisbee or flyball, fetching anything you can find and playing with other dogs at the dog park. He may also enjoy agility training and should be quite good, despite his size. In fact, because he's so small, much of his exercise can be done inside the house. |
Maintenance of the Grifficairn |
| You should brush your Grifficairn with a smoother brush and comb its beard and moustache with a metal comb at least once or twice a week. If they have a stiff coat, you'll need to strip their fur of dead hairs every few months. This can be done by hand or with a stripping blade. In addition, their ears should be cleaned once a week and checked for redness, wax build-up or other debris. Trim your dog's nails about once a month and brush his teeth with a toothpaste specially designed for dogs at least once a week to prevent dental problems. |
English (United Kingdom)