 |
Griffonese |
|
He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Belgium <> China -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Griffonese |
| The Griffonese is a toy cross-breed dog that is a mixture of the Brussels Griffon and the Pekingese. It's a friendly, affectionate breed, but they do better with adults than with children and should be supervised with young children. The breed is wary of strangers, so they make excellent watchdogs. However, they need to be socialized early so that they are not unpleasant or dangerous to visitors and other pets. They're smart and quick to learn, but can be stubborn when it comes to potty training, so make sure you have patience and use positive reinforcement rather than physical punishment. You may need to get professional help or use puppy pads for this problem. |
History of the Griffonese |
| The Griffonese is a modern dog with little documentation. The history of its parents can help to understand its instincts and background: the Brussels Griffon and the Pekingese. |
A little of the Brussels Griffon |
||
| The Brussels Griffon was born in the 19th century in Brussels, Belgium, hence its name. They were originally bred to hunt rats and mice in stables, but were made even more popular when the breed was favored by peasants, farmers and cab drivers as a deterrent against theft. Originally, they started out as Griffon d'Ecurie, which was a stable dog with a stiff coat. These were eventually mixed with the Pug, Affenpinscher, English Toy Spaniel and possibly the Yorkshire Terrier. Although they no longer hunt rats, they are still fearless and courageous, making them excellent watchdogs. There are two types of Griffon Bruxellois, including rough-coated and smooth. In addition, there are two other varieties of this breed, which are the Petit Brabançon and the Belgian Griffon, but they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The Brussels Griffon was officially recognized by the AKC in 1910 and is the 97th most popular dog breed in America. | ||
 |
||
| Standard of the Brussels Griffon | ||
A little of the Pekingese |
||
| The Pekingese originated in China in the 8th century under the T'ang dynasty as a pocket dog. Their name comes from the city of Peking. Their ancestry is unknown, but Chinese legend has it that they are the offspring of a lion and a marmoset who fell in love. They are believed to have mystical powers and were used to protect temples and palaces. The breed belonged only to royalty, and they even had their own servants. During the invasion of the imperial summer palace, five Pekingese were found and one was given to Queen Victoria, who wore it on her sleeve. They were recognized by the AKC in 1906 and are the 93rd most popular breed in America. | ||
 |
||
| Standard of the Pekingese |
Appearance of the Griffonese |
| Griffoneses have large, round brown eyes and a black nose, small triangular ears and a perky attitude. Their medium-length coats are dense and rough, and come in a variety of colors including black, brown, black and cream, cream, fawn, white, piebald and brindle. They are miniature breed dogs with a short muzzle that can cause them problems with brachycephalic syndrome, so be sure to have your dog checked for this. Their feet are small and round with arched toes and well-muscled legs. The Griffonese resembles a stuffed animal with a compact but solid body and a hairy tail that curves over its back. |
Temperament of the Griffonese |
| The Griffonese can be a good family dog in a home with older children, but needs to be carefully supervised around smaller children. They love other pets but need to be socialized early to get along with others. They can be difficult to train, but with perseverance and patience you can get them to listen. They like to be the center of attention and crave human companionship, so they can become anxious when left alone for too long. They're very active and get bored easily, so they need to be kept busy with special toys and other pets for company if you're not home often. |
Needs and activities of the Griffonese |
| The Griffonese is a moderately active breed of dog that's just as happy sitting with you watching TV as running around the yard chasing squirrels. However, they need at least 45 to 60 minutes of vigorous exercise a day. This can include playing fetch, taking a few long walks in the morning and evening, a trip to the dog park and he may even enjoy some agility training. Other activities include jogging, hiking, swimming and Frisbee. If your Griffonese doesn't get enough exercise every day, he may tend to get bored and develop behavioral problems. |
Maintenance of the Griffonese |
| Your Griffonese is a high-maintenance breed that needs to be brushed at least every other day, if not every day. If your dog ends up with the coarse, stiff coat of the stiff Griffon Bruxellois, you'll also need to strip its coat with a special tool called a stripping blade every three to six months. You should wash them only when necessary, using a mild shampoo for sensitive skin approved by your vet. They are susceptible to skin conditions that can be aggravated by frequent or inappropriate bathing. You should also clean his ears once a week and trim his nails if necessary. |
English (United Kingdom)