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Brussels Griffon Breed Standard
 Brussels Griffon General Appearance
Brussels Griffon is a toy dog, intelligent, alert, sturdy, with a thickset, short body, a smart carriage and set-up, attracting attention by an almost human expression. There are two distinct types of coat: rough or smooth. Except for coat, there is no difference between the two.
Brussels Griffon Size, Proportion, Substance
Brussels Griffon Size - Weight usually 8 to 10 pounds, and should not exceed 12 pounds. Type and quality are of greater importance than weight, and a smaller dog that is sturdy and well proportioned should not be penalized.
Brussels Griffon Proportion - Square, as measured from point of shoulder to rearmost projection of upper thigh and from withers to ground.
Brussels Griffon Substance - Thickset, compact with good balance. Well boned.
Brussels Griffon Head
A very important feature. An almost human expression. Brussels Griffon Eyes set well apart, very large, black, prominent, and well open. The eyelashes long and black. Eyelids edged with black. Brussels Griffon Ears small and set rather high on the head. May be shown cropped or natural. If natural they are carried semi-erect. Brussels Griffon Skull large and round, with a domed forehead. The stop deep. Brussels Griffon Nose very black, extremely short, its tip being set back deeply between the eyes so as to form a lay-back. The nostrils large. Disqualifications - Dudley or butterfly nose. Brussels Griffon Lips edged with black, not pendulous but well brought together, giving a clean finish to the mouth. Brussels Griffon Jaws must be undershot. The incisors of the lower jaw should protrude over the upper incisors. The lower jaw is prominent, rather broad with an upward sweep. Neither teeth nor tongue should show when the mouth is closed. A wry mouth is a serious fault. Brussels Griffon Disqualifications - Bite overshot. Hanging tongue.
Brussels Griffon Neck, Topline, Body
Brussels Griffon Neck medium length, gracefully arched. Brussels Griffon Topline - Back level and short. Brussels Griffon Body - A thickset, short body. Brisket should be broad and deep, ribs well sprung. Short-coupled. Brussels Griffon Tail - set and held high, docked to about one-third.
Brussels Griffon Forequarters
Brussels Griffon Forelegs medium length, straight in bone, well muscled, set moderately wide apart and straight from the point of the shoulders as viewed from the front. Pasterns short and strong. Feet round, small, and compact, turned neither in nor out. Toes well arched. Black pads and toenails preferred.
Brussels Griffon Hindquarters
Hind legs set true, thighs strong and well muscled, stifles bent, hocks well let down, turning neither in nor out.
Brussels Griffon Coat
The Brussels Griffon rough coat is wiry and dense, the harder and more wiry the better. On no account should the dog look or feel woolly, and there should be no silky hair anywhere. The coat should not be so long as to give a shaggy appearance, but should be distinctly different all over from the smooth coat. The head should be covered with wiry hair, slightly longer around the eyes, nose, cheeks, and chin, thus forming a fringe. The rough coat is hand-stripped and should never appear unkempt. Body coat of sufficient length to determine texture. The coat may be tidied for neatness of appearance, but coats prepared with scissors and/or clippers should be severely penalized. The Brussels Griffon smooth coat is straight, short, tight and glossy, with no trace of wiry hair.
Brussels Griffon Color
Either 1) Red: reddish brown with a little black at the whiskers and chin allowable; 2) Belge: black and reddish brown mixed, usually with black mask and whiskers; 3) Black and Tan: black with uniform reddish brown markings, appearing under the chin, on the legs, above each eye, around the edges of the ears and around the vent; or 4) Black: solid black. Any white hairs are a serious fault, except for "frost" on the muzzle of a mature dog, which is natural. Disqualification - White spot or blaze any where on coat.
Brussels Griffon Gait
Movement is a straightforward, purposeful trot, showing moderate reach and drive, and maintaining a steady topline.
Brussels Griffon Temperament
Intelligent, alert and sensitive. Full of self-importance.
Brussels Griffon Scale of Points
| Head |
|
|
| Skull |
5 |
|
| Nose and stop |
10 |
|
| Eyes |
5 |
|
| Bite, chin and jaw |
10 |
|
| Ears |
5 |
35 |
| Coat |
|
|
| Color |
12 |
|
| Texture |
13 |
25 |
| Body and General Conformation |
|
|
| Body (brisket and rib) |
15 |
|
| Gait |
10 |
|
| Legs and feet |
5 |
|
General appearance (neck,
topline and tail carriage) |
10 |
40 |
| Total |
|
100 |
Brussels Griffon Disqualifications
Dudley or butterfly nose.
Bite overshot.
Hanging tongue.
White spot or blaze anywhere on coat.
Brussels Griffon Approved September 11, 1990
Brussels Griffon Effective October 30, 1990
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