Is a Brussels Griffon Dog Good for You?
A Brussels Griffon dog is the cutest grump-faced creature in existence. It is somewhat rare, distinct, and among the most sought-after dog breeds. If you are thinking about getting it, below are some facts to help you find out if it is good for you.
What Type of Dog Is It?
The Brussels Griffon looks like a terrier, is comical, spirited, spunky, and happy. It has an adept climbing skill coupled with a crazy imagination and curiosity that can land it in trouble. You need to watch out because this breed climbs so high like a cat.
Additionally, it is a watchdog and always at alert. It may be cautious or friendly with strangers or shy away from them. Therefore, it needs early socialization to develop a stable and confident temperament. You can watch this video to learn how to introduce your puppy to other dogs.
The breed associates with other pets in the home, but it dislikes space invasion. If another pet comes into its private space, it may display ferocity, which is mostly bluster and bluff. Although the breed is not ready to please anyone, it is clever and has a mind of its own. If you do not discipline it, the dog may become manipulative and demanding.
Furthermore, training the dog to stay calm when on a leash takes patience and time because it is obstinate. It may also pitch some acrobatic leaps and fling itself about. It is sensitive, proud, and becomes defensive if treated harshly.
Is This Breed the Right One for You?
This breed is good for you if you are looking for a dog that…
- Does not require much outdoor exercise
- Is a smart watchdog.
- Is amusing to observe.
- Is a spunky toy breed.
- Has short furs (but this breed sheds) or rough wiry furs that do not shed much.
- Resembles a small terrier.
- You can carry around.
This breed is not good for you if cannot handle…
- Housebreaking
- Regular trimming
- Excitable barking especially when guests or strange pets visit
- Stubbornness
- Fragility
- Long waiting lists and expensive price tags because the breed is difficult to find.
More Characteristics and Traits of Brussels Griffon
If you are considering this breed, you should be concerned about the following:
Barking and Stubbornness
Because the breed has a mind of its own, it will make you work so hard to tame them. For instance, it sounds an alarm too quickly, so you need to teach it to obey the command “stop” to reduce excessive barking. This will work if you have an already established relationship with your pet.
In this relationship, your pet sees you as the leader. You can achieve this by undertaking respect training. You can visit https://dogcare.dailypuppy.com/puppy-respect-2707.html to find out how to make your puppy respect you.
Fragility
Many people like toy breeds without understanding that they are incredibly fragile. If you sit or step on them, you may just kill or injure them. They can also kill themselves or sustain severe injuries when they leap off the sofa or your arms. A bigger dog can even break the neck of a toy dog with just one shake.
Therefore, owning toy breeds call for constant surveillance and supervision of what is happening around them. As a result, they must always stay indoors, on a leash, or in a fenced yard. They can get injured easily when they are not under your watch.
Suspiciousness
These toy breeds pitch fits when they see other animals or visitors approaching them or whatever they mark as theirs. So if the dog sees a stranger coming close to you, it becomes ferocious. However, careful socialization can take care of this issue.
Housebreaking
It is not easy to housebreak this breed. Brussels Griffon dogs usually sneak behind chairs or under small tables to ease themselves. You may not notice this immediately; as a result, the bad behavior continues until it becomes difficult to correct. Housebreaking toy breeds require consistent and mandatory crate training.
Grooming
It is very easy to groom the smooth-coated breed. A rough-coated Griffon requires trimming and clipping after a few months. However, some breeders opine that Griffon owners should not clip the coat because it will become softer and tangle easily. Instead, they should practice hand stripping, which is the removal of individual dead hair so new ones can replace them.
While this sounds good, stripping takes too much time and makes the dog uncomfortable. As a result, most groomers prefer clipping.
Health Problems
A Brussels Griffon is susceptible to disorders in the joint. It may also experience problems associated with physical deformity, that it, its large eyes and nose. You can check out Holistapet dog guide to find out more about the health problems of a Brussels Griffon.
Is a Brussels Griffon Good for You – Final Thoughts
You can easily predict the physical traits that a dog will possess such as shedding and size. But you may not be able to predict the inherited temperament. Behavior and temperament are equally shaped by training and nurturing.
Some of the negative traits of a Brussels Griffon can be avoided when you choose an adult breed from a rescue group or animal shelter. At least, the dog you will get is already grown and its traits will be visible. Also, many adult dogs of this breed have proven not to possess negative characteristics.
If you still want to get a puppy, ensure you find a pure breed and a reputable breeder. But you still won’t be able to tell whether the puppy inherited health problems or temperament issues until it grows up.