Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Brussels Griffon is a decorative companion breed that originated in Brussels, Belgium, during the 19th century. Its ancestors were local rough-coated stable dogs (ratters), which were crossed with Pugs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels to refine appearance and temperament. Initially used for rat hunting, their charming looks and lively character soon made them popular as urban companion dogs. The breed gained recognition among Belgian nobility and later spread throughout Europe. Today, the Brussels Griffon is admired for its distinctive facial expression, intelligence, vitality, and devotion to its owner.
General Appearance
The Brussels Griffon is a small, compact, square-built dog with a strong bone structure and well-developed muscles. The head is large and expressive, with a very short muzzle, beard, and whiskers that create a “human-like” expression. The eyes are large, round, and widely set. Ears are small, high-set, and the tail is of medium length, carried lively and upward. The coat is rough, dense, and particularly pronounced on the face. Movement is free, lively, and confident. The overall impression is that of an alert, cheerful, and harmoniously built decorative breed.
Important Proportions
The body is compact and nearly square, with the height at the withers almost equal to the body length. The head is large relative to the body, giving the breed its characteristic appearance. The muzzle is very short — approximately 1.5 cm — with the skull clearly dominating the overall head proportions. The eyes are large and wide-set, creating an open and expressive look. The neck is of medium length, blending smoothly into the shoulders. The back is straight and firm, the loin short, and the croup slightly rounded. The chest is deep and broad, reaching the elbows, with well-rounded ribs. Limbs are straight, parallel, and provide stability and freedom of movement. The tail is set high, carried proudly, and completes the harmonious silhouette.
Behavior and Temperament
The Brussels Griffon is a cheerful, lively, and loyal companion dog. Intelligent, observant, and affectionate, it thrives on close human contact and dislikes being left alone. It is friendly and sociable, gets along well with children and other pets, and remains balanced when properly socialized. Although it can be cautious around strangers, it is never aggressive. The breed’s temperament combines playfulness with calmness, and it learns quickly with consistent attention. Aggression or excessive shyness are considered serious faults.
Head
The head is large in proportion to the body, almost round in shape. The skull is broad and high with a domed forehead. The muzzle is very short (not exceeding 1.5 cm) with a distinct stop. The cheeks are rounded, and the chin is broad and prominent. The head conveys the breed’s trademark “human-like” expression.
Facial Region
The muzzle is short and wide, with a pronounced stop. The nose is small, black, and placed high, with open nostrils. Lips are thin and tight-fitting; the upper lip does not hang. The chin is broad and prominent, covered by a dense beard and whiskers that define the breed’s expression.
Eyes
Eyes are large, round, and wide-set, giving the dog a bright, open, and expressive look. The iris is dark and glossy, with black eyelid rims. Light-colored or protruding eyes are considered faults.
Ears
Ears are small, high-set, and triangular with slightly rounded tips. Naturally semi-erect or folded forward, they complement the head’s proportions. Ears are expressive and mobile, reflecting the dog’s emotions. Ear cropping is not permitted.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, strong and dry, broadening toward the shoulders. Slightly arched, it lends the dog a proud posture. The skin is tight, without folds or dewlap.
Body
The body is compact and square, with strong bones and well-developed muscles. The back is short and straight, the loin firm, the chest deep and broad with rounded ribs. The belly is slightly tucked, and the croup is solid and gently rounded. The structure gives the impression of strength and balance.
Tail
The tail is set high, of medium length, and strong at the base. It is carried proudly, curving upward or in a sickle shape, but never tightly curled or pressed against the back. The tail is covered with abundant hair, completing the breed’s silhouette. Docking is prohibited.
Forequarters
Forelegs are straight and parallel, with solid bone. Shoulders are moderately sloped and well-fitted to the body. Elbows point directly backward, not turning outward. Pasterns are short and resilient. Feet are small, round, with firm pads and black nails.
Hindquarters
Hind legs are strong and muscular, with well-defined angulation. Thighs are broad and powerful, hocks low and firm. From behind, legs are parallel. Feet are compact and rounded, with black nails. Cow-hocked or sickle-shaped hind legs are faults.
Gait and Movement
Movement is light, free, and confident, with good reach and strong drive. The Brussels Griffon moves in a straight line, maintaining balance and rhythm. Its gait reflects its lively temperament and compact build.
Coat
The coat is rough, dense, and medium in length, lying close to the body. On the face, it is longer, forming eyebrows, beard, and whiskers that give the breed its unique “human” look. The undercoat is moderate. The coat must not be soft, silky, or sparse.
Color
Accepted colors include all shades of red (sometimes with a slight black mask), as well as black and black-and-tan with clearly defined markings. A few white hairs on the chest are permissible but undesirable. The color should be rich and even.
Size
A miniature yet sturdy breed. Height at the withers ranges from 22 to 28 cm. Weight varies between 3.5 and 6 kg. Overall harmony, square build, and correct type are more important than exact measurements.
Faults
Faults include any deviation reducing type or balance: elongated or too short body, weak muscles, narrow or flat chest, head too small or out of proportion, muzzle longer than 1.5 cm or excessively short causing breathing issues, insufficient pigmentation, light or protruding eyes, ears too large or low-set, soft or sparse coat, lack of facial furnishings, or irregular color patterns. Shyness or excessive excitability are also faults.
Disqualifying Faults
Serious deviations disqualify a dog from shows or breeding: incorrect size or weight, absence of breed type, muzzle longer than 2 cm or excessively short impairing breathing, complete depigmentation of nose, lips, or eyelids, blue, yellow, or heterochromatic eyes, severe strabismus, overshot or undershot bite, missing multiple teeth, cropped ears or tail, white patches, or non-standard colors. Behavioral issues like aggression, panic, or instability are disqualifying, as are congenital or hereditary defects.
Remarks
As a companion breed, the Brussels Griffon’s main purpose is emotional connection with humans. In ICCF evaluation, the head and facial expression are of paramount importance — large, round eyes, short muzzle, and full beard define the “human-like” charm. A rough coat and neat outline are mandatory. Cropping of ears or tail is forbidden. The dog’s temperament must be balanced, never timid or aggressive. Breeding programs should focus on maintaining health, avoiding excessive shortening of the muzzle, and preventing genetic disorders. Participation in shows and breeding requires official ICCF documentation verifying pedigree and standard conformity, ensuring the breed’s continued purity and development.
Conclusion
The Brussels Griffon is a unique decorative breed with a rich history and distinctive charm. Compact, rough-coated, and expressive, it combines intelligence, liveliness, and loyalty, making it an ideal family companion. Within the ICCF system, the breed is strictly judged by standard—appearance, proportions, and mental stability are all essential. Fearfulness and aggression are unacceptable. Only dogs with official ICCF documents confirming pedigree and conformity to the standard are eligible for breeding or shows. This preserves the breed’s purity, heritage, and recognition as one of Belgium’s cultural treasures and cherished companion breeds.
