Brussels Griffon is a charming dog, which seemed to have gone from the pages of a book of houses. This shaggy and slightly awkward bearded will quickly conquer the hearts of all family members.
History of origin
The history of Brussels Griffons began a couple of centuries ago in Belgium, although there are information that the dogs were known in the XV century.
Contrary to the existing opinion, the name of the rock did not take place from the mythical creature with the body of the Lion and the head of the eagle. The concept of "Griffon" with French is translated as "harsh", which fully corresponds to the features of the wool cover of the animal.
The favorable natural climatic conditions of the Netherlands allowed the inhabitants of this small country to actively engage in the cultivation of the Earth and crop growing. All this led to the fact that the barns in which the hay were kept, became the place of frequent raid rodents, which were distinguished by amazing voraciousness - after a dozen of such "visits", the Belgian family could fully lose their crop. In order to get rid of pests, a new breed of dogs was created. These dogs with great ease penetrated even in the most hard-to-reach places and pulled out of the unnecessary guests from there.
Externally, these dogs were very different from their modern descendants, but, nevertheless, the similarities are obvious. In the second half of the XIX century, the fate of dog-rats has changed a lot, it was at that moment unusual animals attracted the attention of the local nobility. It is known that even the queen Maria Henrietta admired these dogs. It is this royal person and played a leading role in the further spread of the breed in the territory of the countries of the Old World.
In 1882, the Society of St. Hubert was formed, uniting all Griffon breeders. The members of the Association immediately began to bring the little breed, and in 1904 their work was crowned with success - the breed standard was officially adopted, and after another six years of animals introduced into the register of the American Association of dog breeders.
With the beginning of the war, a massive evacuation of animals in the UK began. This led to the fact that in 1926 there was a reduction in the level of exports of griffons from the Netherlands. After World War II, the population of dogs was mainly represented by America and England, and in their homeland their population decreased significantly.
In 1945, the first American club of GRiffon lovers was created, and in 1963 a little adjusted the adopted standard - in the new edition it acts to this day. Despite all the efforts of breeders, the breed is still small, and today to meet the real Belgian Griffon - a rarity. These funny beardeds have not been substantially distributed, but they still conquered the hearts of filmologists around the world due to their outstanding appearance and exceptionally friendly nature.
Features of breed
Brussels Griffon belongs to decorative dogs. Of course, It can not be called a classic room dog, because these animals cannot be characterized as pretty and priestly Rather, these are playful advocates, a little incompass, coarse, with a recalcitrant wool and a truly human expression of the muzzle.
In accordance with the description of the adopted standards, the growth of the dog in the withers is: in males - 27-32 cm, and the bitches - 25-30 cm. Weight varies from 35 to 46 kg, male individuals look more autonous, strong and muscular - sex Differences are expressed very clearly. The head of Griffon is rounded, in relation to the body looks like a large, occipital borgorm and the abnormal arcs relatively invisible. Card box big and large.
The muzzle of Brussels Griffons shortened, slightly rumped, usually does not exceed 2 cm. The transition of the frontal part into the bridge is sharp, the nostrils are quite massive, separated by furrows. The lips are tightly adjacent to the teeth, have a pronounced edging of the dark color. If the mouth is closer, then the teeth and the language of the animal are not visible. Woolen cover on the face for a couple of tones is lighter than all other torso. The ears in dogs of this breed are small, stand high, are located on a substantial distance from each other, slightly bent forward.
Eyes wide apart, are on the same line. Pretty large, rounded, but not convex. All people familiar with this breed celebrate the "humanity" of the view, thanks to which even the most young puppies impress the vital experience of dogs. Eyelids adjacent to the eyes, the eyelashes are long, create a visual effect of black edging.
The lower jaw has a pronounced P-shaped form, slightly bent up, the cutters are located in parallel. The Neck of Brussels Griffon is highly set and has noticeable bulges, but it does not impress weighty due to medium length and dry muscular part. The shape of the housing, rather, square, while the height of the dog in the withers coincides with the length of the body. Thanks to a strongly developed, the felting is a feeling that the yard of the pet is issued forward. Ribs rounded, the blades are tightly pressed.
Spin strong, muscular, smoothly goes into the lower back. The stomach is tightened, the groin is good outlined. Griffon is distinguished by a high tail - the dog wears it raised so that the tip invariably "looks" on his back, but it does not concern it and does not twist. The extremities of the animal are characterized by a developed bone and strong muscles. The front paws are located at a considerable distance from each other, strictly in parallel. The hind limbs slightly protruding for sedlication bumps, the ribs are distinguished by a pronounced muscles. Paws are rounded, rigid pads, painted in a dark color.
Thanks to such features of the limbs, Griffons usually move: the rear paws make a powerful push, the front at the same time is moderately thrown forward. Spin when running remains smooth and straight. Sying hair thick, luxury - in accordance with standards, than harsh wool, the better. On the face of the hairs are longer, since they form a mustache, bundlebards and a beard.
The following colors are allowed:
- red, combined with a brown "mask";
- Beige with a "mask" of red-brown or black;
- Fully black.
Character and behavior
Brussels Griffon distinguish the following character traits.
- Shyness. These animals are very timid and shy, they are afraid of unfamiliar people and try to bring contact with them to a minimum. Sincere attachment and desire to communicate, they test only in relation to their owner.
- Fear of loneliness. Griffons belong to companion dogs, which means that the constant presence of the owner is vital for them. If it is for a long time to leave this animal alone, it begins to stick and root, which can even lead to the premature death of a pet. This animal, as no other, requires stability and constancy - moving to a new place of residence or a change of the owner can be a serious stress for him.
- Activity. Dogs of this breed are real Sanguines who love to be the center of attention. These animals are distinguished by curiosity and mobility.
- Dominacy. Brussels have a rather strong character, because the dogs are in every way to command both members of the owner's family and other pets living under one with them the roof.
- Courage. The gements of the ratio of rats led to the hunting instincts of the dog. They, as already written above, are strangering strangers, but if they see that a danger comes from a stranger towards the owner, boldly stand on his defense.
Dogs of this breed completely do not tolerate obsessiveness, because they are not suitable for living in a family with young children. These animals do not like loud cries and coarse appeal, but they do not accept panibrates. If someone from the owners accidentally or specifically hurt him, Griffon may in response and bite.
As for other pets, Griffons are well laid with their relatives, but they are particularly loyal to cats. The exception is only rodents - if there are decorative wheels, hamsters or guinea pigs, then they can become an object of hunting of a pet.
If you want to start two griffons, it is best to acquire dies, but if the house lives a dog of larger breeds, then Griffon can be uncomfortable with her, so it is better to refrain from such a neighborhood.
How to choose a puppy?
If you firmly decided to become the host of Griffon's puppy, then before buying it is necessary to create conditions for its comfortable existence. Therefore, the first thing that the future owner should buy is sun beds, bowls, cream and toys, as well as all the necessary means of dog hygiene.
Nurses engaged in breeding dogs of this breed, not so much. Be sure to collect maximum information about the sellers - you must be sure that you met a conscientious breeder who, under the guise of a healthy puppy, will not be sick and a patient and weakened animal with psychological problems.
Decide in advance how the floor is needed. Keep in mind that males are more aggressive, but bitches, opposite, devotees and submissive. However, during flow female individuals can become a source of discomfort - during the walk you will have to reflect the attacks of the "grooms", escaped from all the surrounding convictions.
It is considered optimal for buying age 6-8 weeks, if you tear the baby from the mother before, in adulthood, such a dog will be distinguished by weak socialization. When choosing, be sure to see not one puppy, but all the litter - if you notice that all the dogs in it are a buggy or, on the contrary, behave aggressively, it is better to give preference to another dog family.
An important characteristic will be the mood of the puppy - a pet must be curious, cheerful and playful. Spend a small test - take a rattle or bundle of keys in your hand, and stretch it with young griffon. If he immediately grabs the toy, then you are a healthy dog, which is happy to draw attention to the new taste, color and smell.
Do not buy the most reappeted puppy, but also excessive thinness can also be the subject of caution. It is best to choose the "golden middle" and buy a medium puppy. Inspect your pet wool - it should be thick, without proper, ears and eyes should be clean, without signs of selection.
In reliable nurseries, each animal has the entire document set: pedigree and veterinary passport. Be sure to find out in what conditions a puppy was kept, and how it was fed - for the period of adaptation of the animal, the diet is not recommended. Brussels Griffon puppies will fall out - so, a healthy animal with an excellent pedigree costs about 40 thousand rubles. You can buy a puppy much cheaper - for 15-20 thousand, but in this case you cannot be sure of a strong dog immunity and its sustainable mental state.
Content and care
For compact Griffon in the house, a separate corner usually is distinguished, although the animal itself prefers to spend time on a master's sofa or in a soft chair.
In professional grooming, dog does not need, but some rules for wool care are available.
- On the face and in the paws there are long hairs, so they require frequent combing.
- A short and hard wool on the body must be combed with a furminator to remove the undercoat.
- In the spring, as well as in the fall, all of the hedgehogs, who are exposed for several months, are subjected to mandatory accumulation. Usually a trimming dog with a special attachment on a thumb and knife. Periodic hanging beard and animal eyebrows is allowed, but it should not cut a dog completely, since in this case the correctness of the height growth of wool is violated.
Every two weeks it is necessary to cut the claws of a pet with special impressions, but keep in mind that only the tip of the nail is needed to delete it, and it is impossible to affect the living part of the plate. Due to the long and thick eyebrows, the animal's eyes are often inflamed, because they need to be witted every day with cotton disks, moistened with a chamomile or a weak solution of furacin. Once a week you can bury anti-inflammatory drops for disease prevention. Every 7-10 days it is necessary to scan ears - veterinary lotion or boric acid is used to clean them.
It is very important to provide Griffon quality care for the oral cavity. The fact is that there is a favorable for the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria environments, so it is necessary to teach a pet from the very early age to clean the dental plaque - it needs to be done at least once a week. If the dog is on dry stern, then the frequency of treatment can be reduced to once a month - dry and solid feed granules themselves contribute to the removal of the plaque.
For cleaning teeth use special pastes with a taste of meat or fish, some breeders are rubbing the pets of the pet activated carbon, which suspends the growth of bacteria.
Nutrition
Griffons are dogs who are pretty picky in everything that concerns food to please such a pet very difficult. It is best to contain PSA in special feeds of premium and super premium class, for example, Royal Canin and Pro Plan. Such products have a balanced composition, include all the necessary vitamins and minerals.
If you prefer feeding with a natural plate, then keep in mind that 70% of the diet should be low-fat meat: Beef, ramper, veal, lamb or chicken. A couple of times a week is allowed to replace one feeding by by-products, the remaining 30% falls into a fraction of the croup, it is best to add buckwheat, rice or corn to the mixtures, and vegetables (carrots, pumpkin and cucumbers). Once a week is allowed to include eggs (chicken or quail) and low-fat curds.
Take into account that the feature of the bite of the animal is that when chewing large pieces of food, Griffon may experience difficulties, because the products need to boil to the soft state and grind. The adult dog per day consumes about 500 years of food in two sunset. Puppies up to three months are prepared by liquid kask masks based on the dairy mixture, the recommended feed rate is every 3-4 hours, while the size of the portion should not exceed 150 ml.
By 6 months, the dog is gradually translated into four-frame power, and in eight feedings reduce to three. For adult mode, the animal passes by year.
Education and training
When training, Brussels Griffon should be aware that this dog categorically does not make a frequent repetition of the same team - the owner can shout it at least a day, but an animal will act in any case in any case. These dogs must be stimulated, as it is impossible to force them in a different way.
However, encouraging can be anyone, even moral - Griffons are quite capable of performing teams only from a sense of attachment to their owner, and as gratitude for the manifestation of love and attention. Dogs of this breed usually achieve great success in Agility and are quite successfully performed on all sorts of competitions.
About who is the Brussels Griffon and how to bring it up, look in the following video.