Are Brussels Griffons Good Apartment Dogs?
As a big science fiction geek I have to start this post about Brussels Griffons with these two fun facts.
Movie director George Lucas created Star Wars and the character Chewbacca the Wookiee.
George Lucas owned a Griff.
Coincidence? You decide.
Chewbacca and a Brussels Griffon. A coincidence? You decide.
Are Brussels Griffons Good Apartment Dogs?
Okay, now that I've gotten that out of the way, let's deal with the question at hand: are Brussels Griffons good apartment dogs?
The answer from experts and owners appears to be an overwhelming "yes."
Laura Burkart is a breed enthusiast and runs the NYC Griffs social organization. She says: "They are good in small spaces; they don’t need lots of heavy exercise; they're really cuddly to hang out with on the couch; and they're known for being sweet affectionate dogs."
Griffs
According to the American Brussels Griffon Association: "There are several theories of breed development proposed by students of the breed, but most agree that the wire coated Belgian stable dog, known as Griffon d’Ecurie, was crossed and re-crossed with the black Pug, Affenpinscher, and Ruby Toy Spaniel sometime in the mid-1800s. The Belgian stablemen that initiated these breedings apparently kept no records, but the present day Brussels Griffon was known in its present form sometime between 1870 and 1880."
However in 2013, a former president of the ABGA discovered a trove of documents that actually sheds a lot of light on the origin of the Brussels Griffon, down to the specific, individual dogs that were used in creating the breed. You can read about that here.
Griffs (as they are familiarly known) were originally used as ratters, but by the late 1800s they'd come to occupy their role as a household pet. By 1899 the first Brussels Griffons were listed in the American Kennel Club Stud Book and were being shown at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
The AKC officially recognized the breed in 1910.
Jack Nicholson’s 1997 film, As Good As It Gets, put Griffs in the spotlight.
And a Brussels Griffon won Best in Show at the National Dog Show in 2017.
Are Brussels Griffons Good City Dogs?
According to the American Kennel Club they are the 84th most popular breed in the United States. They are not that common in New York City. The NYC Department of Licensing says there have been 1,371 Brussels Griffons registered with the city since the Big Apple started keeping records. For comparison, there have been more than 40,000 Yorkshire Terriers licensed with the city over the same time period (Yorkies, after mixed breed, are the most common type of dog registered with New York.)
Pretty much everyone I spoke to about Griffs in the city cited all the obvious reasons for the breed being good city dogs: good temperament; great companionship; they don't take up much room; don't require a ton of heavy exercise... the list could go on!
Vet Street and Dog Time both rate Brussels Griffins five out of five as good candidates for city and apartment living. Perfect scores!
Do Brussels Griffons Bark a Lot?
This brings us to an important question: "Do Brussels Griffons bark a lot?"
The Vet Street website gives Griffs three-out-of-five stars for barking; Dog Time awards four-out-of-five stars. Other research I've done indicates that they are prone to yapping. That makes them decent watch dogs, but it could prove annoying to your neighbors.
Are Brussels Griffons Easily Trained?
It is important to train your city dog. You don’t want your pooch to misbehave in your building’s common areas. Brussels Griffons have a reputation for being a bit stubborn to train, so be patient.
They are considered "fair" when it comes to understanding new commands. They obey first commands about 30% of the time according to Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia who studies dog behavior. That means it takes 40 to 80 repetitions for them to learn new commands.
Are Brussels Griffons Good with Strangers, Children, and other Animals?
Brussels Griffons are generally pretty good with strangers, kids, and other animals.
Do Brussels Griffons Require a lot of Exercise?
Griffs don’t require a lot of rigorous exercise. Daily walks and some playtime should keep them happy.
Taking Care of Your Brussels Griffon
Brussels Griffons are a generally pretty healthy breed.
Regular brushing will help prevent coat matts and skin issues.
The Bottom Line
As with any pure-bred dog, it’s important to deal with a reputable breeder. Visit the American Brussels Griffon Association for more info on the breed to help locate responsible breeders.
For tips on how to find a pet-friendly apartment in New York and other cities read Urban Dog's guide.
