History Of The Griffon What breeds did the Brussels Griffon originate from? Most authorities agree that the Brussels Griffon was developed in Belgium from small rough coated dogs kept as ratters in stables. Although there is no complete record of the breeds crossed it is believed that the Affenpinscher, Pug and the English toy Spaniel are in the background. What is their general appearance? The breed standard in Canada is 8-12 pounds. What is the life span? With proper care most Brussels Griffons will live well into their teens. How much grooming is required? The smooth coated griffon only needs bathing, brushing and very little trimming. The rough coated griffon needs to be hand stripped if the desired wiry coat is to be maintained. Griffons not being shown are sometimes trimmed with clippers but the coat softens and lightens in color. What health problems does the breed have? Toy breeds sometimes have hip dysplasia, cleft palate, luxating patella (slipped knee cap), seizures and heart murmmers. Are they easy to train? The Brussels Griffon is extremely intelligent and can be a little stubborn to train due to their intelligence. They will try to train you before you get them trained and very often they will accomplish their feat. They will test you to see how far they can get. Is this a breed for everyone? The Brussels Griffon is like a two year old child. They get into mischief on a regular basis. A person must have lots of love, time, and patience. If you are truly interested in this breed, click here for complete information.