The Brussels Griffon is a playful and affectionate dog known for their expressive and adorable faces. Although they are very much companion dogs now, they were originally working dogs. Here are a few more facts about Brussels Griffon:

1. Their History Has Some Mystery

Although the modern Griff can be traced back to Belgium in the early 1800s and crosses between Affenspinschers and Belgian street dogs, their history prior to that is less well-known. A lack of written records makes it difficult to pin down the history of the breed before this point.

Griffon-type dogs can be traced back further, but tracing the lineage of the modern Griff back further is difficult. Based on the information that is available and educated guesses, the Brussels Griffon as we know it likely came about from years of crossing Griffon-type dogs with an old Belgian breed called the Brabançon as well as Pugs, English Toy Spaniels, and possibly Yorkshire Terriers as well.

2. The Brussels Griffon is a Cinderella Story

These little dogs were originally working dogs for the working class of Belgium. They worked for the coachmen of Brussels as rat catchers. It was only after Henrietta Maria, the Queen of the Belgians, started supporting the breed that the Griff moved from a working-class working dog to a fashionable noble lapdog.

After Queen Henrietta started supporting the breed in the 1870s, the Brussels Griffon quickly gained popularity with other royals, nobles, and upper-class Belgians. From here, upper-class kennel keepers further developed and refined the breed as their employers got involved with breeding. This Cinderella story and its popularity with the royal houses is credited with helping the Griff gain global recognition.

3. Their Popularity Saved the Breed

Thanks to their surging popularity internationally, they were exported to England and the United States where they would start to become more popular in those countries. The AKC even recognized the Brussels Griffon in 1910 as a member of the Toy Group.

Like many European-based breeds, the Brussels Griffon was almost extinct after two World Wars. Although the Griffs in the U.S. and U.K. were not the only ones left after World War I and II, this international popularity and breed enthusiasts in the U.S. and U.K. had a hand in saving the breed as we know it today.

4. Griffs Have Been in Movies

Over the years, Brussels Griffon have been owned by notable artists, actors, athletes, and more. They’ve inspired characters and made movie appearances. George Lucas has owned 5 Griffs and it seems they inspired him. Their human-like faces and expressions inspired the Ewoks in the Star Wars universe.

Yoda can be considered to resemble a young smooth-coated Griff while Chewbacca and the Ewoks resemble rough-coated Griffs. This resemblance led to a burst in popularity when the movies were released. In 1997, the Griff experienced another surge in popularity after one appeared in As Good As It Gets. Verdell, played by a dog actor named Jill, was a Brussels Griffon.

5. They Are Vocal Dogs

Brussels Griffon will often bark to alert you. They can be prone to barking a lot, especially if they are still working on socialization or if you have accidentally trained them into doing more of it. You can train your dog to stop barking and redirect the behavior early on to keep their barking to alerts and stop it from becoming a nuisance once they are done growing.

Aside from barking, these little dogs are also known to make vocalizations. They won’t “talk” as much or as loudly as Siberian Huskies are known to do. But, they will make little growls, huffs, and grunts to communicate with you, especially if you encourage it when they are puppies.

6. Griffs Can Be Cat-Like

They won’t necessarily purr like a cat, but Griffs will often exhibit cat-climbing tendencies similar to Chinese Crested Dogs. You may find these dogs lounging on top of the backs of recliners and couches, climbing up in window seats, and more.

If you have cats in the house and happen to have a cat tree, don’t be surprised to find your Brussels Griffon curled up at the top, especially if it means they can lie in the sun or have a convenient view of the outdoors.

7. There Are Three Main Types of Griffs

The Brussels Griffon can refer to three different types of Griffs – the Griffon Bruxellois, Griffon Belge (Belgian Griffon), and Petit Brabançon. The Griffon Bruxellois and Griffon Belge have wire dog coat types and look like shaggy Terrier cousins while the Petit Brabançon is smooth-coated and looks like a Pug cousin.

There can be coat color variations within and across all types of Griffs. In general, the Griffon Belge tends to have an all-black coat or a coat that is a mix of black and reddish-brown. The Griffon Bruxellois or Brussels Griffon tends to have classic black-and-tan combinations along with a bearded look. The Petit Brabançon tends to have a reddish or reddish-brown coat with a dark face.

Is a Brussels Griffon Puppy Right For You?

These are just a few fun facts about Brussels Griffon. These dogs can be a great fit for single owners and families who can give them the affection and attention they crave as involved members of the family. In return, they’ll fill your life with plenty of love and affection and a lot of laughter at their playful and comedic antics.

If you think the Brussels Griffon is the right dog breed for you, learn more about them and check out the available Brussels Griffon puppies. Who knows? You could end up finding the perfect addition to your family!