Vital Statistics, Health & Life
Expectancy
The Griffon originated in Belgium during the 19th century, where it
was first used to hunt vermin. These delightful little dogs--who
sport what many say is a human appearance--are now bred exclusively
for companionship. With proper care, healthy Griffons generally
grow to about 20cm (8 inches) in height and about 5.5kg (12
pounds), and live to about 12 to 14 years.
Personality
Griffons are curious, intelligent, independent little animals
who've been known to face down dogs many times their size. The
devotion and alertness they're known for also make them very good
watchdogs. While they're generally comfortable in households with
other animals, most don't take well to young children's teasing.
Some can also display a stubborn or moody streak, and owners may
need to exercise extra patience and tolerance during training
Grooming & Exercise
Griffons have two kinds of coats: harsh and wiry, or smooth and
tight. Smooth-haired Griffons only need to be brushed twice a week,
but the rough-coated variety should have its fur hand-stripped by a
professional groomer. While these charming little dogs are well
suited to small spaces, they don't necessarily like being confined.
They need good, regular, supervised runs and enjoy playing freely
in fenced areas. Owners should also be aware that Griffons don't
tolerate extreme heat or cold well so they should control their
dogs' exposure to extreme temperatures.
Get more grooming
tips.
