Griffon is a mighty dog that fits in a small body and looks at everything around with his wise eyes, like an all-knowing old man. Belgium is the country of origin of the breed. Griffonties van Beigiei is its original name. Brussels Griffon, Pita Brabancon and Belgian Griffon are other names.
Small Belgian dog: description
Anyone who has never had to meet a Belgian griffon, having heard the name of the breed, can imagine a respectable big dog, but this opinion is erroneous. This is a group of decorative indoor dogs of modest size, similar to the Pekingese breed. The difference from them is endless life energy.
Small Belgian dogs are quite strong, funny and energetic. In addition, they are smart and cheerful. Effectively fight rodents. Their barking is heard quite rarely.
Small Belgian dogs - a bit of history
The history of the breed is very long, it is already about 500 years old. The ancestors of the small Belgian dogs were bearded street dogs that lived at that time in the Flemish region of Belgium. They were known back in the 17th century. The Belgian Griffon as a breed appeared as a result of the crossing of a pug and a Brussels Brussels. It is assumed that toy terriers took part in the creation of the breed.
Initially, representatives of this breed were kept in stables, using for rodent fishing. They first came to the exhibition in 1889, it took place in France. Finally, the breed was formed only at the beginning of the twentieth century. Recognized officially in 1928.
Currently, in many countries of the world there are small Belgian dogs, Russia also brought them from the USA in 1993. There in the same year, breeders created the National Breed Club, the popularity of animals began to grow.
Appearance
The appearance of the dog of this breed is attractive. They are low, compactly folded, elegant. You can recognize them by the bearded muzzle of a monkey.
Head with a convex forehead, round, wide, chin - extended forward. The nose is black, large. Big round eyes, eyelids are also black. Small ears after stopping are erect, in their natural form they simply hang on the cartilage.
The body is square, with a deep, wide chest and a straight back. The mid-length limbs have small round-shaped paws with black pads. The tail is usually stopped at two-thirds of the length; it is set high.
The coat is coarse, long, according to the standard after trimming it should fit snugly and be short. The peculiarity of the varieties of the breed is that they have different colors. Small Belgian dogs have three main types of color: black, black with an admixture of red tan on the chest, above the eyes and paws, and the red one with a black mask.
Griffon character
One of the characteristics of the character of the Belgian Griffon is poise. He is always in high spirits, but his voice is infrequent.
Another good character trait inherent in the representatives of griffins is observation. They quickly remember and learn the rules by which the family lives, and always find themselves where the owner may need them. Devotion helps them become pleasant companions and friends.
Extraordinary cleanliness distinguishes the breed of a small Belgian dog from others. It happens that the Belgian himself brings the owner a napkin so that after eating he can wipe the remnants of food from the bearded face.
Such a character trait as shyness at the sight of strangers is probably only found in the Belgian Griffon.
Content Features
A small Belgian dog is suitable for keeping in a city apartment. This does not mean that she will spend all days at home alone and bored. The pet should always be next to the owner or family members, for him this is very important.
For a pet, you need to determine a place where he can relax and sleep at night. There he will store his favorite things. It can be socks, toys of children, slippers of the owner. So he will be able to accustom family members to order. For this character trait, the griffon was given the nickname Barabashka (or Kuzya).
The dog needs regular walks that help her maintain normal health and well-being. You need to walk the dog for a long time so that he can run in plenty.
It is important for the owner to know that a small Belgian dog does not feel well in the heat. This means that it is necessary to create such conditions of detention under which its existence in the hot summer months would be safe and comfortable.
Griffon can be called happiness in the house, but you can not indulge him!
Small Belgian Dog Care
The Belgian griffon is a clean animal, despite this, care must be taken. Especially this requires dog hair. She is very thick. The procedure that needs to be carried out regularly is cleaning and combing. During the molt, which happens twice a year, the griffon's hair is updated, at this time old locks should be removed from it.
It is also recommended to trim, trim the hair around the eyes, below on the stomach, on the ears, on the edges of the paws.
You should also take care of the eyes and folds on the face. Teeth need special attention, because dwarf breeds of dogs often suffer from periodontal disease. With tartar, the veterinarian should solve the problem. In addition, the pet’s teeth should be constantly brushed with special toothpaste and a brush for dogs.
Feeding a small belgian dog
Griffons eat everything that they are given. They like to eat well, but do not suffer from overweight. This does not mean that they can be treated to various tidbits, without knowing the measure.
What food should a Belgian griffon eat ? Dog breeds are not much different from each other in this regard, you just need to take the diet of pets with all seriousness in order to maintain their health. Griffons require a menu of natural products or a special dry food of high quality. When calculating the diet when feeding with natural products or choosing ready-made food, the age and condition of the pets should be taken into account. Active healthy doggie needs to be fed more nutritious food, and give the puppy and the old dog food easier, feed often and little by little.
If the owner of the animal prefers to use natural products for feeding his pet, he should know that they should always be fresh and healthy. Representatives of the Belgian Griffon breed have a sensitive stomach, thrown stale meat or food from the table cause digestive upset.
Meat is considered the main product on the menu of any dog, including the griffon. It is recommended that the dog give different raw meat, except for pork. Chicken is allowed only boiled. In the diet of a pet, meat should be 40%.
From dairy products, you can give only kefir, yogurt and low-fat cottage cheese. Whole milk is well absorbed only in puppies. Dairy products are a source of protein that is easily absorbed by the animal.
If you give a dog fish rich in phosphorus and fatty acids every day, its coat will look beautiful and its skin will be healthy. Before feeding, fish must be boiled for several minutes.
It is strictly forbidden to feed the griffon with beans and potatoes.
Diseases of a small Belgian dog
The Belgian Griffon has good health and is considered a small centenarian. On average, he lives 12-15 years.
Inherited diseases have bypassed this breed, although they happen, but in rare cases.
The main health problems of these dogs arise because of the head, its uniqueness. It creates problems during childbirth, which often go with a complication, you have to do a cesarean section. The shape of the head is responsible for breathing problems, some dogs make strange sounds, snoring and wheezing. Griffon's body cannot cool normally, the reason for this is the short airways.
Features of the mating of a Belgian small dog
Experienced breeders do not recommend early breeding dogs. Griffon (a small Belgian dog), must form well, get stronger. Only a healthy parental couple will be able to give good offspring.
Dogs become able to breed in 8-12 months. In practice, it has been proved that the most favorable breeding dates for breeding can be considered for males 24 months, for females - 20 months. When planning the first mating, the individual characteristics of each prospective parent should be considered.
Because of its small size, breed reproduction is not easy. It is good if the veterinarian will be nearby during childbirth.
There are up to three puppies in a litter. Griffons have a maternal instinct that is highly developed; they make beautiful mothers who feed their inheritance with their own milk. In the first days after giving birth, they do not leave the puppies for a minute, from time to time they lick them and turn them over.
Small Belgian dogs are very devoted to their children. Puppies grow up very quickly, on the 12-14th day they begin to see, until the end of the third week rumor appears. So it's time to give them complementary foods.