Appearance of the Sniffon
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| The Sniffon is a small dog, generally measuring just over 30.5 centimeters at the shoulder, with a robust, spiny body structure. The head can have either the short, slightly rounded skull of the Brussels Griffon or the longer, flatter skull of the Miniature Schnauzer, and while some can inherit the shortened muzzle of the Brussels Griffon, most have a slightly longer muzzle, more representative of the Miniature Schnauzer. Their eyes are generally very dark brown and round, although those who favor their Brussels Griffon heritage will have larger eyes than those who favor the Miniature Schnauzer, and their triangular ears are set high on their head and fold either forward or to the sides. Triangular ears are set high on the head and fold forward or to the sides. Both breeds are often seen with cropped and pricked ears, and some Sniffon owners and breeders may choose to do the same, although this practice is forbidden in many countries. |
Temperament of the Sniffon
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| This dog is extremely lively and spirited, with lots of energy. Both dogs are thought to be descended from the Affenpinscher, a well-known clown in the dog world, making the Sniffon a rather playful and amusing companion. They tend to do well with children, although interactions with young children and toddlers must be closely supervised for the safety of both child and dog, and they are generally pleasant with other dogs and cats, although they may chase cats for fun due to their Schnauzer heritage. As for small pets such as rodents and birds, keep them away from your Sniffon, as the Sniffon is a very agile and fearless hunter of small things. These little dogs are highly intelligent and versatile and should be closely supervised and kept in a secure environment when you're not at home, as they tend to use their intelligence for things like opening cupboards and drawers to get food and toys, and because of their Brussels Griffon heritage, they like to climb and can get themselves into precarious situations. |
Needs and activities of the Sniffon
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| This cross-breed has high energy levels but doesn't need the vigorous exercise of many other dogs, partly because of its small size. He's usually content with around an hour's exercise a day, which is more effective if spread over several short, intense sessions throughout the day. Although these dogs are small enough to do much of their exercise indoors, playing challenging games of fetch or hide-and-seek, they really enjoy their time outdoors and should make as many forays into the outside world as possible. |
Maintenance of the Sniffon
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| This hybrid has moderate grooming needs. A bath is only necessary once every few months or so, and usually only requires weekly brushing or combing, although two or three times a week is preferable. Many Sniffons have a hard coat that needs to be hand-plucked at least twice a year to keep it healthy and encourage regrowth. Some have the abundant coat and beard of the Miniature Schnauzer, which may require shearing around the face and legs, and their beards almost certainly need to be inspected and cleaned to remove stray food particles and give them a clean, fresh smell. |
English (United Kingdom)