Brussels Griffon

• Bathing: Brussels Griffons don’t need a bath often; once every couple of months is Ok, unless they get particularly dirty while out on an adventure. When you do bathe them, use a dog-friendly shampoo. 
• Brushing: Keeping a Brussels Griffon’s coat healthy requires a balance of professional grooming appointments and at-home upkeep:  
  • A groomer can hand-strip their coat a few times a year to preserve its wiry texture.  
  • Brush your dog with a pin brush every two weeks to keep their coat shiny and shedding under control. You can use a comb on their beard to detangle any knots. During shedding season in the spring and fall, brush them daily with a slicker brush or bristle brush.  
• Ear care: Check their ears every day. If there’s redness, swelling, debris, or an odor, your pup may have an ear infection. Talk to your vet about how to clean your dog’s ears if they’re prone to irritation or infections.  
• Dental care: Help keep your Griffon’s teeth in shape by brushing them daily with a dog-safe toothpaste like Petsmile Professional Dog Toothpaste. It’s a good idea to start when your Brussels Griffon puppy is young, so they get used to the experience. They’ll also need a professional dental cleaning once a year, or as your vet recommends.  
• Nail care: Brussels Griffons need their nails trimmed every three weeks. If their nails get too long, it can make it painful to walk. You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you can hear the nails tapping on the ground as your Griffon follows you around. 

If you bring home a Brussels Griffon puppy, start obedience training early to teach them cues like sit, stay, and come. Once they get the basics down, your Brussels Griffon will probably excel at fun tricks, like shake a paw, and very proudly show off their skills to everyone they meet. 

Always use positive reinforcement—praise, training treats, and dog toys—to teach your pup how to be on their very best behavior. Griffons are very attached to their person, so if you make training fun and engaging, they’ll likely loveit. 

It’s also important to invest time in proper socialization, which involves exposing your pup to new people, places, and things in a non-scary manner. This helps your Brussels Griffon puppy grow into a confident, well-adjusted dog.  

There is one potential snafu: Brussels Griffon puppies have very small bladders, so housetraining your pup can be challenging.  

Taking your Brussels Griffon out every few hours or immediately after having an accident helps them learn to associate going outside with potty time. And when they do go outside, reward them. 

Crating your pup for short periods when you’re not around to supervise can also help with potty training. Just make sure the crate is the right size: It should be large enough for them to stand up in and turn around. Fill it with lots of cozy blankets and toys to make it extra comfy.  

This breed typically does well on a high-quality commercial dog food. Choose a diet that’s AAFCO-compliant for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior). 

Food made for small dogs or toy breeds can help provide any special nutritional needs for dogs this size. Your vet can help you choose the best dog food for your Brussels Griffon.  

Because Brussels Griffon puppies are so tiny, they can experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). To help prevent this, feed them multiple small meals throughout the day (up to three or four). Even adult Griffons can benefit from a three-times-a-day feeding.  

Dog treats, while yummy, should never be more than 10% of your pup’s daily calories.  

These pups are tiny, but don’t let that fool you; Brussels Griffons are not lap dogs happy to lounge the day away.  

Brussels Griffons are little athletes, although they do have their limits, of course. They’re happy to get all their energy out on daily walks—get in 30 minutes of exercise a day, at minimum. They’ll enjoy a mix of slower and more brisk walks to stop and smell the flowers.  

A benefit to small dogs like the Griffon is that they can get a lot of energy out through games you can play right in your living room, like hide and seek or fetch with a plushie. Anything that’s fun and mentally stimulating will be a hit (like a snuffle mat or a treat puzzle).  

Outside your home, Brussels Griffon dogs might enjoy nose work, agility training, or tracking classes, a noncompetitive activity where your dog can use their nose to trace people or things. You can also track with your dog on your own.   

While these flat-faced dogs are cute, their smushed nose can make it difficult for Brussels Griffons to breathe, especially while exercising and in hot weather. Be alert for signs of overheating, and always clip their leash to a harness instead of a neck collar to make breathing a little easier.  

A Brussels Griffon is happy to be a city dog, a country dog, or any other kind of dog—they’d probably do fine living on an island in the middle of the sea. They’re just that adaptable.  

However, wherever they are, it’s just important that they have an outlet for their energy, like a fenced yard or a nearby park.   

Chances are that they’ll love having a big family (or just you—more time for bonding!), and they can be great with other dogs, cats, and children who know how to interact with animals.  

Be a pet parent who loves having them around. These canine kiddos are sensitive souls, and they don’t like to be alone for long. They might be great candidates for doggy daycare of a dog sitter if you can’t take them with you while you’re gone during the day.