Tag: Belgian Dog Breeds

When you think “toy breed” what do you think? Pampered pups? Petite and dainty? High maintenance? While all these things may be true for some toy breeds, they’re not true for all; especially the Brussels Griffon. BestBullySticks.com thinks you’ll be impressed with this highly affectionate, intelligent and unique looking pup. Read on to learn more about the Brussels Griffon in the BBS Breed Spotlight!

History & Background: Hailing from Brussels, Belgium the Brussels Griffon’s ancestors were used as stable workers to keep rodent populations down. This Affenpinscher-like dog was later bred with the Pug, King Charles Spaniel and Ruby Spaniels to produce two distinct varieties of dogs—smooth and rough coated. This dog is also called the Griffon Bruxellois. Gradually the Brussels Griffon became a regular member of the family. There are old folk tales and songs telling of “bearded dogs” which refer to the spirited Brussels Griffon. Through WWI and WWII the Griffon largely decreased in numbers yet was brought back from the brink of extinction by dedicated UK enthusiasts. To this day the Brussels Griffon is a rare dog yet in the past decades has enjoyed a little more popularity in the United States. This is due to Griffons appearance in the movies and TV shows such as As Good as It Gets, Gosford Park, Sweet November, Spin City, and First Wives Club. The general interest in toy breed dogs has also heightened the interest toward the Brussels Griffon.

Height: 7 to 8 inches

Weight: 8 to 10 pounds

Coat: The rough coated Brussels Griffon has dense, wiry and hard fur. The coat shouldn’t be overly long and should have no silky hair. The head is covered with slightly longer hair, especially around the eyes, nose, cheeks and chin. This gives the Griffon a fringe. The smooth coated variety has short, straight and glossy hair with no wiry fur. These dog are referred to as Brabancon.

Color: Griffons only come in 4 colors/color combinations.

1. Red: This color combination is a reddish brown and can feature black at the whiskers and/or chin.
2. Beige: Black and red/brown mixture make up the beige coloring, which can also show a black mask and whiskers.
3. Black & Tan: This combination is black with consistent red/brown markings under the chin, on the legs, above the eyes and around ear edges and vent.
4. Black

Appearance: Small, but sturdy, the Brussels Griffon is a square and short dog with strong bones and a proud head. Large, black eyes and small, erect ears give this dog an alert expression. The Griffon has a domed head and short nose. Straight and well-muscled legs hold this dog’s thick body. Griffons have level backs and deep ribs. This dog’s tail is high and is usually docked.

Temperament: The Brussels Griffon has lots of personality. This cheerful, highly affectionate dog is naturally curious, spunky and very intelligent. These dogs are highly sensitive and should be socialized early but carefully. Griffons usually bond with one person more than others.

Health & Grooming: Griffons usually live 10 to 15 years and are generally healthy. Some health issues this breed may experience can be eye and respiratory problems, heat sensitivity and difficulty whelping.

The rough-coated variety of the Brussels Griffon will require more maintenance than dogs with smooth coats. Griffons shed little hair to none at all.

Product Suggestions: For a rare dog, try a well-known favorite—the 6 inch standard bully stick. A perfect daily dental dog chew for your toy-sized, this half-foot of free-range, grass-fed beef will have your Brussels Griffon hooked!

For a great dog toy, check out the Pet Qwerks Small Jingle X-Tire Ball dog toy. It's made out of rugged tire that's easy for dogs to pick up and fetch. The jingle bell hidden inside the tire will keep your pet enthralled for hours!

Do you know or own a Brussels Griffon? Tell us your Griffon story in the comments section below!

Curious about a dog breed? Check out our full list of Breed Spotlights to learn about some amazing dog breeds!

It's Friday!! Did you miss any of BestBullySticks.com BARK-tastic blogs this week?  If you did miss any of the Mississippi Dog Rescuing/Cookie Crisp Dog Treat Baking/Schipperke fun, catch up before Monday with all of this week's great BBS Blogs!

So snuggle up to your favorite pooch (or pooches) and read the BBS Healthy Dog Blog! Happy Weekend Reading! Click the links below to find out more about:

Rescue Spotlight: Community Animal Rescue & Adoption •  Dog Pack Snacks Coco's Carob-Nut Dog Crisps • Breed Spotlight on the Schipperke

Also in your free time this weekend, check out our fun Pinterest Page! We've got TONS of great dog videos, adorable dog photos, funny dog photos, DIY dog project and more!

Foxy-like and mischievous, the Schipperke may be the closest one may get to owning a fox itself. This smart and energetic Belgian breed dog enjoys life on a boat and life with a family. BestBullySticks.com introduces you to the Schipperke in today’s BBS Breed Spotlight! Read more below!

History & Background: Though it’s similar in appearance to the Spitz or Pomeranian, the Schipperke is actually related to the black Belgian sheepdog the Leauvenaar. This dog is the predecessor of the Schipperke and the Groenendael. This dog was bred down to a much smaller size and became the guard dog to barges in Belgium. The Flemish sailors became calling this dog “schip” which means boat and they quickly earned the name “Little Captain” and “Little Skipper.” To this day Schipperke’s are at ease on a boat. The AKC officially recognized this breed in 1904. In WWII this dog was used as a messenger between various hideouts of the Belgian Resistance. The Nazi’s never found out.

Height: Males: 11 to 13 inches; Females: 10 to 12 inches.

Weight: 12 to 18 pounds

Coat: This dog has particular patterns of hair that include short hair on the face, medium hair on the body and longer hair in the ruff, cape, jabot and culottes. Behind the ears and circling around the neck makes the ruff. The cape is a strip extending past the ruff down the middle of the back. Jabot is the area extending across the chest and down the front legs. The fur on the back of the thigh forms the culottes. The texture of the Schipperke’s coat is slightly hard and is dense and straight and it stands off from the body. Read more

The Bouiver des Flandres is a very misleading dog. With a very up class name, the Bouvier des Flandres has very humble beginnings on Belgian farms. (One Bouvier, Lucky, even made it to the White Hosue as Ronald Reagan’s dog.) A formidable looking dog, the Bouvier is a gentle and sweet soul. Find out more about this dog by reading the BestBullySticks.com Breed Spotlight on the Bouvier des Flandres.

History & Background: Bouviers were first bred by monks in Flanders, which is an area of Belgium. These dogs were first bred by monks and other farmers for cattle droving, sheep herding and cart pulling. Watchdog duties were given to the Bouvier as well. Throughout the years, this dog has had many names. The French name of Bouvier des Flandres literally translates “Cow Herder of Flanders” but also called “koehond" (meaning cow dog), "Vuilbaard" (meaning dirty beard) and "toucheur de boeuf" (meaning cattle driver). It’s thought Bouviers get their look from the breeding of Irish wolfhounds and Scottish deerhounds with local farm dogs.

Since this dog was always meant to fulfill the function of a working dog, no breed standard was ever readily sought after. However, in the early 20^th century fanciers began noticing this dog and soon after the Bouvier appeared at the International Dog Show in Brussels. After this, Bouviers saw an uptick in popularity. It wasn’t long after WWI began and even though this dog was used a messenger, the breed almost died out. The same was true for WWII, yet by that time the AKC had recognized the breed and Bouviers had been shipped to America from Europe. By the 1960s Bouviers were thriving once more and the American Bouvier des Flandres Club was founded in 1963.

Height: Males 23 to 28 inches; Females 22–27 inches

Weight: Males 80 to 120 pounds; Females 60 to 80 pounds

Coat: Bouviers sport a weather fast coat made up of a hard and course outer coat and a soft and dense undercoat. This dog's coat was made to withstand just about anything. The coat should have a disheveled look without being curly.  Hair on the ears is rough and Bouviers should have a thick mustache and beard. Read more

The Tervuren is a European breed that shows fierce loyalty and affection for their owners. BestBullySticks.com highlights this beautiful and personable breed today on the Healthy Dog Blog.

History & Background: Named after the Belgian city of Tervuren, this dog is one of four Belgian sheepdogs which all share a common ancestry. In its own country, this dog as known as the Chien de Berger Beige, which translates “long-haired other than black.” This is because the three other dogs with similar characteristics are the Groenendael, which has long black hair, the Malinois, which a short coat and the Laekenois, which sports a wiry coat. The origin of all of these dogs was pre-Industrial Revolution, when general-purpose working dogs were in high demand. Protective as a watchdog, able to herd livestock as well as having high mental capacity and being attentive, the Tervuren and its cousins were bred as a perfect match for Belgian farmers.

The Tervuren was known as the Belgian Sheepdog for many years, but in 1959 the AKC recognized the Tervuren as its own breed.

Height: Males 24 to 26 inches; Females 22 to 24 inches

Weight: Males 65 to 75 pounds; Females 60 to 70 pounds

Coat: Tervurens have a thick double coat made up of long, plentiful and close fitting fur. The texture is somewhat harsh, but not silky or wiry. The undercoat adjusts to the weather making the Tervuren very adaptable to climate changes. The hair on the head, outside of the ears and front of the legs is short.  Tufts of hair protect the ear opening. Male dogs have a mane of fur around their neck and both sexes have fringes of fur down the fore legs and back legs.

Color: On the body, Tervuren’s color ranges from rich fawn to mahogany. All colors have black overlay. This dog has a double-pigmented coat, which means the lighter colored hair is black at the tip and as a dog matures, they darken. This darkening is most prominently seen on males around the shoulders, back and ribs. To meet the breed standard, white can show up on the chest and toes but no more. Mature dogs are required to have a black mask as well as the ears being mostly black. Under the chest, tail and butt, this breed can show cream, grey or light beige coloring. Tervurens can also be grey, but the AKC doesn’t recognize this coloring in confirmation showing. Read more