Griffon: types of dogs and their content

Each of us once wanted to have a dog - these cute pets are incredibly smart, friendly and able to charm almost everyone. Some prefer fighting dogs, others prefer cops who are great at tracking down prey and chasing animals, and still others prefer just decorative dogs such as the Griffon. This article will talk about griffons, the varieties of this breed of dogs, the peculiarities of their maintenance and feeding.

Griffon is the general name for several dog breeds with similar external characteristics and qualities. The most famous varieties of griffons are the Belgian, Brussels and Petit Brabancon. This dog breed is considered one of the most ancient in the whole world.

No one knows for sure which breeds became the first ancestors of the Griffons - most likely, over these 500 years, at least a dozen different breeds with different external characteristics and qualities participated in the selection. The closest relative of griffons from modern dog breeds is the Affenpinscher, Toy Terrier and Pekingese. These dogs are similar in appearance, but differ in different character traits. In addition, it has recently become known that the Affenpinschers appeared much later than the Griffons.

At the moment, griffons are most often found in France, as well as in America and Germany. The reason for the popularization of the breed among the population was the cute appearance of the individual, as well as the fashion for small dogs, which began at the beginning of the XIV century.If at the very beginning only wealthy people could buy these dogs, who took them to high receptions and balls, then over time the griffons became excellent companions for the common population. For example, they served on farms, helped with herding livestock, caught rodents, and drove predatory animals and birds away from livestock.

Since then, griffons began to actively spread throughout the world - somewhere they assimilated with local breeds and lost their individuality, and somewhere they acquired new features. So, for example, some cross-breeds of Griffons are wonderful hunting dogs (for example, the Griffon of Corthals).

Belgium is considered the birthplace of griffons. - it was here at the end of the 19th century that the first individuals of the breed were presented, and the first standard of griffons was also adopted. Finally, the Griffon breed was able to form only by 1928, however, individuals of this breed were brought to Russia and the CIS only by the end of the twentieth century - with some other breeds from the United States. Around the same time, the International Griffon Club was formed and opened, which continues to operate to this day.

There are many funny and sad stories associated with griffons. For example, the Serbian queen Draghi had a habit of feeding the elements of her food first to her pets, and then starting to have lunch on her own. It so happened that the queen's favorite was a griffon specimen, and at one of the dinners, the food really turned out to be poisoned. As a result, the health of the queen was not threatened, but her pet could not be saved.

The first Griffon standard was introduced back in 1928 and its main provisions have survived to this day. Below are the parameters that are more or less characteristic of the entire Griffon breed.

• Body type. The body has a solid, not massive, but sturdy structure. These dogs are not distinguished by either great endurance or record speed indicators, but their muscular system is remarkably developed.

• Extremities. Massive, strong, the hind legs are slightly longer and more powerful than the front. The hind legs have excellent pushing power, which allows dogs of this breed to often take part in competitions and tournaments. Paws in dogs are small, but strong, well-knit, almond-shaped or rounded pads. The feet are small.

• Head. Comparatively large in relation to the entire body. It is characterized by a sharp slope when going from the forehead to the muzzle. The head is round in shape, slightly flattened. The forehead is slightly arched, the stop is well defined.

• Eyes. Depending on the variety, the dimensions may vary slightly, but in any case they are shallow and even slightly convex. Placed at a great distance from each other. The color is most often dark brown or black.

• Muzzle. Extremely short (except for hunting varieties), with a wide black nose and well-developed nostrils. These dogs also have a characteristic bushy beard, which often falls to the chest, forming a kind of "half mane".

• Oral cavity. In these dogs, the lower jaw is slightly wider and longer than the upper jaw, which gives these dogs a special angry look. Despite this, the teeth and tongue of these dogs are always hidden, occasionally protruding canines are found in breeds.

• Ears... Depending on the variety, it can be of a hanging or standing type, covered with a small layer of wool. Set on high, well apart. In the past, ear cropping was allowed in this breed, but now this procedure is not allowed in many countries.When at rest, the ears are half bent, the tips descending just below eye level.

• Tail. Set on high, in purebred and show breeds it has a straight rather than rounded structure. Almost always raised up. Previously, it was also docked by 2/3 of its entire length, but today the trimmed tail is rather a disadvantage and a reason for disqualification of an individual from exhibition competitions.

• Wool. The long-haired and smooth-haired griffons have a tough and unruly structure, practically no springiness, and are of medium density. For these dogs, grooming is the key to their appearance. Without proper care, the coat looks messy, tangled and careless, which gives this breed the appearance of a kind of "brownie". Experienced dog handlers also advise to monitor the length of the coat, regularly sending the dog to grooming salons.

• Average weight. Depending on the variety, it can vary slightly: from 3.5 to 6.5 kg for the largest individuals, as well as up to 18 kg for hunting species.

• Height. These dogs do not differ in significant growth, the tallest individuals rarely grow above 22 cm. However, there is a small remark here: the length of the body from the ischial tubercles to the shoulders should be identical to the height of the dog at the withers.

• Average life expectancy. These dogs do not differ from others in significant longevity. Just like the breeds that served as the ancestors of the Griffons, they usually live no longer than 12-15 years. Under ideal conditions - up to 17.

• Sentry potential. These dogs are not suitable for sentry or security service, however, some species show themselves remarkably in terms of hunting - they are hardy, balanced and able to move quickly over any terrain.

It is worth considering in more detail the characteristics of the character of the griffons, after all, this is what breeders pay attention to when they want to buy any four-legged pets.

• Exceptional monogamous. It can be extremely difficult to gain the trust of an adult Griffon - these pets are very strongly attached to the previous owner, which can cause inconvenience on long trips, travels and replacements. These dogs can develop real depression on the background of a long absence of the owner of the house.

• Empathy and pride. From the very first day of meeting the owner, these dogs are very strongly attached to him. They are loyal, obedient, rarely capricious and always do whatever is required of them. However, with improper upbringing with the use of violence or lack of attention, this breed of dog is extremely prone to aggression and disobedience. As a result, these dogs can rush at children, passers-by and other pets.

• Bravery. These pets are full of dedication and courage. In situations dangerous for the owner, they instantly take a defensive stance and even despite their small stature, they will do their best to protect them from strangers. The bravery of these dogs perfectly coordinates with their innate addiction to training - as a result, these pets are able to perform even the most daring and dangerous stunts and tasks associated with height and obstacles.

• Attitude towards children. If we are already talking about relatively adult children (from 8 to 12 years old), then griffons become full-fledged friends and companions for them. They will support any pranks, will gladly take part in dangerous adventures. However, if we are talking about very young children, then the griffons may simply not have enough patience for the endless harassment of babies.

• Relationship to other pets. In such conditions, griffons tend to take a leading position - they are the pioneers of the games, they are the ones who set the rules and make sure that they are not violated. If the personal boundaries of the griffon are not crossed by another pet, this dog will treat this animal good-naturedly. Griffons are especially friendly with cats - almost identical dimensions, strength and agility make them ideal partners in games and fun.

• Socialization... The main condition in keeping griffons is to ensure constant contact with people. These dogs are not able to be locked up in four walls for a long time. When the owner comes home, they will constantly follow him and hint at games and affection. That is why these pets are not recommended for owners with a clearly limited schedule and a small amount of free time.

• Curiosity. Griffons simply adore everything new, unusual and unknown. This is as good, because these dogs are able to quickly learn, and not very well, because their curiosity often leads to different incidents. Either they gnaw on wires or furniture, or twist the pots, or scatter clothes. All this suggests that your dog lacks your attention, as well as entertainment within the walls of the apartment.

• Love of travel... A distinctive feature of this variety is their attachment to long walks for several hours - they adore long journeys and are completely delighted with everything new and unknown. Such curiosity can cause a lot of trouble for the owners in the first months of keeping - Griffon puppies love to poke their nose everywhere and taste everything they come across.

• Caution... Despite their inquisitive nature, Griffons have a healthy suspicion of anything new. Before trusting a new person, a new pet or even an ordinary new toy, the pet will necessarily behave wary and even distantly at first. Griffons will be carefree in relation to new objects or people only when they understand that the subject is not dangerous.

• Vigilance... They are not prone to unreasonable barking, before casting a voice, they usually analyze the situation and only after that make an informed decision. These animals have a fairly stable psyche - it is difficult to infuriate them or provoke a conflict - the animal will avoid a conflict situation until the last minute, but will not hide from the offender.

Inexperienced breeders often confuse this breed of dog with other individuals. This is due to the fact that the Griffon breed is represented by several varieties of dogs at once, which differ to one degree or another from each other. Below you can find a description of each variety and its characteristic features.

This variety got its name thanks to the name of the capital of Belgium of the same name - Brussels. There, the first individuals of this species appeared at the very beginning of the 19th century.... At first, the direct purpose of this breed of dogs was to catch rodents and pests in the estates and farms of wealthy residents. A little later, the breed began to be widely used in the households of ordinary people - all thanks to Griffon's exceptional companionship.

These dogs are especially famous for the fact that they often accompanied bus drivers on their trips. It is thanks to this occupation that the Brussels Griffons are the official mascot of all public transport drivers in the capital of Belgium.

These dogs differ from their relatives in an extremely muscular, but elegant exterior, as well as reddish, reddish, wheaten or golden in color. In addition, some dog handlers note in the look of Brussels dogs a certain human meaning and rationality, which made them popular with European fashionistas.

As for character traits, the Brussels Griffons proud, proud and stubborn, they tend to show pure aggression in dangerous situations. Despite this, they are still loyal to their owners, get along remarkably well with children, and cannot stand being alone for a long time.

Griffons of the Belgian variety are quite rare. The breed received its name from the place of its homeland, as well as its distribution area - Belgium. The ancestors of the breed are the Brussels Griffon and the pug, some also suggest that toy terriers are actively used for breeding modern breeds (due to their small stature). Individuals of this breed appeared on the world canine market only at the beginning of the twentieth century, and the breed itself got official recognition only in 1928 (Central Society of Dog Breeders of Belgium).

Before the outbreak of the First World War, this dog breed was actively spreading throughout Europe, however, hostilities led to the almost complete destruction of this dog breed, which is why this species is still considered one of the rarest among the rest of the Griffons.

Outwardly, the Belgian griffons differ from the rest of the varieties exclusively in black or black and tan. These dogs are smart, cheerful, not inclined to impose their society. Unlike its congeners, the Belgian Griffon is remarkably trainable and tends to obey commands.

This species of Griffon also belongs to the small Belgian dog group (which includes both Brussels and Belgian griffons). The Brabancons differ from the rest of their breed in extremely short soft hair, a neat muzzle with almost no hair, and a slightly lower stature, thanks to which this variety is sometimes also called "petit-brabancon".

The name of the species comes from a small Belgian province called Bramante, the prefix "petit" is translated from French as "small". Despite this, the Brabancon variety cannot be called the smallest of all Griffons - the fact is that almost all individuals of this breed have identical height and weight.

By their nature, Brabancons are distinguished by well-developed intuition and empathy - they feel great about their owner, are inclined to determine his current state and mood.

A keen mind allows these griffons not only to do an excellent job with exercises and training, but also to get out unharmed even from the most desperate situations. Especially characteristic of these dogs is sucking up, which they actively use if they are guilty before the owner. Brabancons very often resort to manipulation in order to obtain a treat or to attract the attention of the owner.

Despite such an ambiguous and cunning nature, Brabancons are incredibly good-natured dogs that will be ready to help in any situations and become a true and loyal friend. Many owners of these dogs note the incredible facial expressions of these dogs, which look extremely comical due to the peculiarities of the structure of the oral cavity and jaws of these dogs.

Unlike other varieties of griffons, mini-brabancons are wonderful keepers of one small area - especially when it comes to a private house or a large apartment. Any arrival of guests to your apartment will not go unnoticed - at the slightest sound of doors opening, these dogs can raise the whole apartment to the ears thanks to their ringing and shrill voice. If, in the place of the guests, a friend or acquaintance of its owner will stand in front of the Brabancon, the dog will behave friendly and will immediately make contact.

A fairly young variety of griffons, which is actively used exclusively for hunting purposes. The Great Fawn British Griffon and the Vendée Basset Griffon are considered the ancestors of the breed.

These dogs differ from their relatives in the following parameters.

• Increased height - up to 38 cm.
• Elongated body and muzzle.
• Straight short hair of various colors: golden, brown, light, brown, gray.
• The limbs are slightly curved, which allows these dogs to develop significant speed in uneven and overgrown terrain.
• The coat is coarse and tough, it keeps moisture and frost perfectly. It is never too long. The hair is approximately the same throughout the body.

In its homeland, this breed of dogs has gained popularity not only for its hunting skills, but also for its kind and companionable character. British Basset Griffons are often found in private households, where they act as a watchman, companion or just a friend for children.

It is perhaps the most interesting variety among all the known griffons. In its homeland - in the Netherlands, as well as in Germany and France, this variety of dogs is considered a versatile hunting breed with remarkable indicators of endurance and courage.

If the first records of breeding griffons appeared in the middle of the 16th century, then the griffon of Cortals appeared only at the end of the 19th century. The initial idea in the production of the breed was to create a hardy, strong and fast dog breed, suitable for hunting even in the most severe conditions of swamps, forests and steppes for fur-bearing animals and birds.

The breed got its unusual name thanks to its creator. Eduard Karl Korthal was born in 1851 to a Dutch family of the owner of a large cattle farm in Amsterdam. Thanks to the hobbies of his father, Eduard Kortal acquired considerable experience in breeding animals. In addition to animal husbandry, Kortal's father was also fond of hunting, as well as a passion for purebred hunting dogs. This passion, as well as a huge amount of valuable knowledge of breeding management, was also taken over by Kortal Jr. from his father.

With this knowledge, as well as speaking German, English and French, Kortal was able to frequently publish his articles on breeding farms in many European magazines. Extensive knowledge in the field of breeding has contributed to the fact that already in 1872, Eduard Kortal began purposefully breeding wire-haired griffons.

Beginning in 1870, Eduard Kortal became actively involved in breeding griffons under the auspices of the German prince Albrecht Solms-Braunfels, whom he met at one of the breed shows. The breeders' general affection for cops and hunting dog breeds made them friends, after which the prince invited Kortal to one of his kennels in order to put in order the breeding farm and start training cop dogs. An interesting fact is that when moving to the kennel, Kortal took several of his dogs with him for further crossing.

The prince was satisfied with the work of Kortal, and therefore entrusted him with work in two more nurseries - in Silesino and in Biebesheim. In the last of them, the German prince provided Eduard Kortal with everything necessary to breed the ideal breed of Griffon, taking on almost all the financial costs. Thanks to this cooperation, Kortal managed to get about 600 wire-haired griffon puppies in all his activities, only 62 of which were recorded in his studbook as successful individuals.

According to the notes of Korthal himself, in the course of working on the wire-haired griffons, he used the material of 8 individual dogs at once (4 males and 4 females). It is known that one of the males was a purebred barbet, while the rest of the individuals had their own individual external characteristics, although they did not belong to any separate breed, and were brought from Belgium, France and Germany. Despite these records, modern dog handlers and breeders assume that, in addition to modern griffons, setters, spaniels, otterhund, and spinones participated in the breeding of the species.

This variety got its name back in 1951 in the Netherlands, as for world recognition, it happened only in 1954. Despite different data on the history of the origin of the Griffons of Cortals, it was France that was indicated as the birthplace of the species - today most of the nurseries for breeding these animals are located there.

The griffons of Corthals differ from their counterparts in a number of specific external characteristics.

• Strong elongated body sports type, well-developed muscular system, belly is tucked up. The backbone is strong, but light, which allows you to move faster in difficult terrain.
• Well-developed mustache, eyebrows and beard, giving the dog the appearance of a certain old man. The skull is wedge-shaped, not wide, the muzzle is long enough with a gentle transition from the bridge of the nose to the forehead. The upper and lower jaw are the same size.
• Eyes rather large, round, set deep, light, golden or light brown iris.
• Nose well developed, brown with large nostrils.
• Ears small, located on the same line as the eyes. Thin, covered with a layer of rather long hair.
• Limbs straight, muscular and strong, of practically the same size. Paws are compact, rounded.
• Tail thick, often docked by 2/3, almost always in a horizontal position.
• Movement these dogs are careful, measured and graceful. Each step gently tastes the earth.
• Wool hard, dense, rather long, small eddies are possible in texture.The exclusivity of the hair coat of these animals lies in the fact that the top coat itself is hard, and the undercoat is soft and dense, which allows these dogs to perfectly tolerate frost, rain and wind.
• Color. Mostly gray or platinum with characteristic brown, light, or reddish spots on the ears, limbs, tail and back.

Many housewives say that the process of caring for griffons does not give them significant problems. For them, regularly brushing the fur of an animal is more fun than a duty. However, the caveat is that grooming for this dog does not end with brushing. Many experienced dog handlers are of the opinion that the Griffon dog breed is poorly adapted to breeding and keeping in ordinary household conditions. To understand the reasons for this opinion, it is worth considering the features of the maintenance and care of griffons.

• Place of residence. As for the content of absolutely all pets, griffons need their own personal space where they can rest and sleep. If we talk about griffons, then this place must necessarily be where people are constantly - in the corridors, at the intersections of rooms, in the hallway. Since these dogs are neither large, nor addicted to acrobatics, they can be kept in the most ordinary apartments.

• Apartment zoning. You should take a responsible approach to the designation of open and closed areas in your apartment or house. Excessive curiosity of the animal can lead to injury, damage to furniture and even death of the animal.

• Active life. Despite the ideal exterior for keeping at home, griffons need constant, daily physical activity, which is unrealistic to create within the walls of any home. These pets need to be walked at least twice a day, while walks should be intense - with physical exercise and training.

• Wool... The secret of all the charm of griffons lies not only in their mind, but also in the beauty of the appearance, which is achieved precisely by caring for the animal's hair. This means that the owner of the dog must regularly comb it, comb out the mats, and monitor the hygiene of the coat in the genital area and anus. Combing should be done at least 2 times a week. You should not overdo it with this matter, since frequent combing weakens the hair and can fall out. For the procedure, you should choose combs, brushes or combs with frequent soft teeth - they will also perform a massage function for the skin of the animal.

• The washing up. The griffons themselves are suspicious and distrustful of water. This is not to say that they do not like her, but they do not experience any pleasure from water procedures. These pets should be washed no more than 10 times a year when it comes to washing with shampoo or soap. Griffons are often characterized by contamination of their beards after eating, as well as the hair in the area of ​​the limbs and anus after walking. You should not wash your pet after each walk, for this it is enough to rinse and dry only dirty places under running warm water.

• A haircut. In general, griffons do not have a very long coat, but in places such as the belly, chest, chin, anus, and limbs, the hairline is often longer than usual. Excessive wool in these places can not only bring discomfort to the animal itself (hinder movement, interfere with bowel movements), but also add worries to the owners, who are obliged to clean and wash it regularly.Despite this, a thorough haircut for griffons at home is not recommended - for this, dogs are sent to grooming salons to create decorative hairstyles and bring the coat to a neat and well-groomed look.

• Hygiene. Do not forget that dwarf griffons also need banal hygiene procedures. This includes brushing your teeth regularly, doing a checkup and cleaning your ears, trimming your nails, and rinsing your eyes.

• Fashion for small dogs appeared in the Middle Ages, where small representatives of griffons acted as companions of royalty, noble people and wealthy nobles. It was from those times that the custom came to dress up pets in blankets so that they would not freeze and not get sick. Over time, the blankets have transformed into beautiful outfits for dogs that have survived to this day.

• Health. Do not forget about vaccinations and regular preventive examinations at the veterinarian.

• Breeding griffons. Breeders do not recommend self-breeding these dogs. The fact is that childbirth in Griffons is often painful (sometimes a cesarean is required), and few puppies themselves are born, while some newborns are very weak and die quickly. It is extremely important to take a responsible approach to the selection of the right pair for breeding griffons - these should be extremely strong parents with an ideal pedigree.

An important role in the maintenance of griffons is played by their diet - it directly affects both the life span of the animal and its appearance, as well as its well-being. The diet of griffons is slightly different from that of larger dog breeds.

• Eliminate all chicken bones and chicken meat from your diet. Unlike other dog varieties, Griffons are unable to digest bone mass due to their weak intestines. Failure to comply with this point quickly leads to the formation of problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
• Unlike large dogs, griffons are less in need of a regular supply of fresh meat. Usually they need no more than 300 grams per day. The rest of the diet is taken up by vegetables, grains and vitamin supplements.
• If you want to feed your pet with ready-made mixtures, try to choose premium food and higher - they contain more vitamins and beneficial microelements. However, you should not feed griffons exclusively with dry food; try to create a combined menu with natural and prepared foods.
• A prerequisite is the constant availability of fresh water. Without it, the stomach of griffons is difficult to process many vegetables, and especially dry food.
• Although your pet loves to eat human food from the table, try to limit the amount in your dog's diet. Unfortunately, the griffons' only significant drawback is their stomach, and they cannot handle fried, smoked, salted or pickled food.
• Limit your dog's intake of excessively fatty or acidic foods - no citrus fruits, avocados or chicken. The same care should be taken when serving sweets.
• Do not forget to add vitamins during the winter season, and also if you prefer only a natural diet.

For the characteristics of the breed, see the video below.