The Brussels griffon belongs to FCI Group 9 Section 3 - Small Belgian Companion Dogs. All small Belgian companion dogs have the same breed standard, with hair and colour variations.

Small Belgian companion dogs:

• Brussels Griffon – rough-coated small dog, different shades of red, black allowed on muzzle.

• Belgian Griffon – rough-coated small dog, black coat with reddish spots

• Brabancon Griffon – short and smooth coat, reddish, black and both combined, who are allowed the same coat as Brussels and Belgian Griffon, distinguished by its „black mask”

The griffon is not a classically beautiful dog, but it has an exceptional character. Their breed does not descend from noble blood or ancient predecessors, but they are special and rare dogs, with admirers all over the world. Still, griffons are not very popular and it has never been a numerous breed.

The history of griffons:

The breed is thought to be almost 600 years old. Cynologists have not found a common position regarding the breed's background. Some believe that the breed descends from the Brussels watch-dog and affenpinscher. Others find Belgian griffons to be ancestors of German affenpinschers. Both sides are sure about one thing – the predecessors of today's griffons were born in Europe not later than the 1430s. This is also corroborated by Jan van Eyck’s painting “The Arnolfini Portrait” from 1434. The dog depicted on the masterpiece is probably an ancestor of the Brussels griffon. This little reddish, fluffy-coated dog does not look like a modern griffon, but it has the breed’s specific expression. The work of art can be admired at the National Gallery in London.

The breed was first presented at the Brussels dog show in 1880. Its modern breed name (Brussels griffon) did not exist at that time and the dog was presented as a “small rough-coated Belgian griffon”. The show was won by a Brussels griffon named Tom (or Bom, according to some sources). Tom caught the eye of an Englishman who bought him and took him along to England. Before leaving Belgium, Tom was involved in breeding. His most famous successor is breeding male Foks who in turn allegedly became the father of the first Brussels griffon to become an English champion.

By 1904 griffons had their own breed standard. Thanks to the favour of the Belgian royal family and foremost queen Marie Henriette, it was named the national breed of Belgium.

The same period also reveals a sadder moment in the history of royal griffons. Experts on the breed's history tell a story of Serbian queen Draga (1867-1903), whose life was saved by a griffon. The queen suspected that her close-ones were planning her murder. To avoid harm, she let her pet taste all her meals. Sadly her suspicions were proven and her little companion died sparing her life.

The attention given to griffons at the beginning of the 20th century faded both in Belgium and rest of the world during the crisis after World War I. After World War II, the Brussels griffon was rarer in its native Belgium than in France, Switzerland or Italy. For example, in 1993 the French breeding registry was supplemented with only 25 new griffon puppies. The British and the Americans remained more faithful to the breed, but they did stray somewhat from its former standards.

Today’s griffons got their looks as a result of cross-breeding several other breeds. Their muzzle became shorter, which probably wasn’t even planned so. Their size was decreased by crossing with affenpinschers. Cross-breeding with ruby King Charles spaniels (English Toy spaniels) gave their coat a brighter shade of red, formed their head rounder and topped it with large vivid eyes. The small Brabancon griffon or Petit Brabancon is a smooth-coated dog from crossing with black pugs. The crossing of these three breeds is also confirmed by cynologists. Many other crossings have been mentioned, but as opinions of cynologist differ, they remain only assumptions.

An interesting fact about griffons is that there can be both rough-haired and smooth-haired puppies in one litter. Usually parents of a Brussels griffon have both Brussels griffons and Brabancon griffons. All three can be bred with each other, but this requires a permit from the Kennel Union in Estonia. Griffons are not very popular in Estonia. The first Brussels griffon, Ellinor ot Nevskogo Hobbita, was brought to Estonia only in 2001. Our Brussels and Brabancon griffons are mostly from Russia or have Russian descent. First Belgian griffons have been registered by the Estonian Kennel Union in 2008.

Grifoons in art:

A griffon was depicted for the first time on painting “The Arnolfini Portrait” by Jan van Eyck (1434) mentioned above. A similar dog has been painted by the Italian artist Jacopa da Empoli (1551-1640) on a portrait named “Henry III with a dog”. The 19th century offers Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s “Bather with Griffon Terrier” (1870). From the same period we also have Italian painter Giuseppe Naudin’s work „Griffon, cane di Maria Luigia”. Eminent British-American canine painter Maud Earl (1864-1943) has also portrayed griffons on many of her works.

Griffons in films:

The most famous film featuring a Brussels griffon as an important character is “As Good As It Gets” (1997) starring Jack Nicholson. A Brussels griffon was also involved in the award-winning 2001 film “Gosford Park”. A griffon can be glimpsed passing on screen a few times in another movie from 2001 “Sweet November”.