Brussels Griffon

Separation anxiety is common- He will show you his frustration by destructive chewing and barking or by having "accidents" on your furniture. This is probably not the breed for you if you work long hours and would have to leave him home alone for extended periods of time.

Shedding- Seasonal shedding does occur in smooth coated Griffons. Rough coated Griffons don't typically shed as much, but nothing is guaranteed. Those who suffer with dog allergies should test their tolerance with a few visits before making a commitment to own a Brussels Griffon.

Willfulness- Griffons are known to have a mind of their own and do not respond well to punishment or harsh training tactics. Never hit a dog for undesirable behavior. Positive reinforcement will go much further than yelling, especially true for housetraining.

Housebreaking Difficulties- Toy breeds are notoriously hard to housebreak. A Brussels Griffon is no exception. Successful housebreaking is most commonly acheived with consistency and patience and several trips outside to accomoadate their small bladders. Crate training or paper training is also a good place to start with a Brussels Griffon puppy. Read more about this and learn other helpful training tips for tricks and housebreaking.

Maintenance- Rough coats need regular brushing and grooming. For smooth coats and rough coats alike, regular brushing and attention to his nails, teeth and ears starting when he's young will accustom your dog to these necessary practices. The U Groom 7 piece Kit pictured below has all the essentials for hair and nail hygiene.

Chasing Instincts- Griffons need to be leash trained early and should never be left unsupervised or unharnessed in open areas. A simple squirrel could send a Griffie bolting. Frantic calls to stop this dog when he's involved in a chase will almost always be ignored. A lot of dogs get lost or stolen (or worse) this way.

Emotional Sensitivity- Griffons are very receptive little dogs with delicate spirits. They respond negatively in chaotic households; constant nervousness and excitability or complete emotional withdraw are commom responses. Loud noises, yelling and fighting will have adverse emotional effects on these little dogs.

Temperature Sensitivity- Because of their short muzzles, BG's do not regulate body temperature well. They can easily become overheated and even die when exposed to temperatures, hot or cold, for any length of time. It's never a good idea to leave any dog in a hot car. If you live in a colder climate, a dog coat will keep your puppy warm.

Hydrocephalus affects the Brussels Griffon as well as other dogs with shortened heads. This condition, a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain often leads to an early death. The condition can be treated when caught early, but affected dogs rarely recover fully.

Luxating patellas-A joint condition in which kneecaps dislocate. This is very painful for your dog and very expensive to correct. This is a common complication among many small breed dogs.

Shoulder Abnormalities- A group of many disorders of the shoulder joint due to malformation or subluxation can affect Griffons and cause severe pain.

Distichiasis-Eyelashes grow on the edge of the eyelid with the condition and can rub against the eye causing mild to severe irritation. Any abnormal blinking or rubbing of the eye should be checked by a vet. Left untreated, this very uncomfortable condition can lead to infection, corneal ulcers and blindness.

Stenotic Nares- A softening of the cartilage in the nasal cavity which makes it hard for a dog to inhale air. This can cause enlarging of the heart and and flattening of the chest. It's miserable for the dog and surgery is the only way of correcting it. Symptoms include; nasal discharge, labored breathing followed by snorting and lethargy due to lack of oxygen.

Another condition that can cause breathing difficulty with this and other short nosed dogs is elongated soft palate and cleft palate both of which can be treated with surgery.

Trachea collapse, commonly thought to be partially genetic, could also be caused by an energetic Griffie straining on her collar during grooming. While walking your Brussels Griffon, a harness is more comfortable.