Viewed from the side, chin, nose and forehead should align: the FCI standard’s description of the Brussels Griffon (Griffon Bruxellois), praised for an almost human expression. The head is the most striking feature. It is also where the health questions central to this article begin.
| FCI | Group 9 (Companion and Toy Dogs), Section 3 Small Belgian Dogs, Standard No. 80, without working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Belgium |
| Height at the withers | Not specified in the FCI standard |
| Weight | 3,5 to 6 kg |
| Life expectancy | Median 13,3 years in a British analysis of 584.734 dogs (McMillan et al. 2024), listed as Brussels Griffon |
| Coat | Rough, harsh, slightly wavy, with undercoat, hand-stripped; beard, moustache and eyebrows longer |
| Colours according to the standard | Red, reddish; some black on the longer head hair permitted |
Carriage guardian from around Brussels
The standard traces three breeds to a small rough-coated dog called Smousje, present around Brussels for centuries. Ruby King Charles Spaniels and Pugs were added in the 19th century. The dogs guarded carriages and kept stables free of vermin, entering the Belgian studbook in 1883. The red Griffon Bruxellois shares the standard with the black Griffon Belge and the short-haired Petit Brabançon.
What the standard demands of the head
The wording is clear: the muzzle, including the nose, is very short and must not exceed 1,5 cm. The nose tip should sit so far back that chin, nose and forehead align, with the lower jaw extending beyond the upper. A muzzle not turned upwards is a serious fault, while wide-open nostrils are also required. Cropped ears and a docked tail are acceptable under the standard. In Germany, docking is generally prohibited under Section 6 of the German Animal Welfare Act. Ear cropping is prohibited too.
Breathing under exertion
University of Cambridge vets exercise-tested 52 Griffons for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, BOAS (Tomlinson et al. 2026). Only 26,9 per cent showed no signs, 30,8 per cent a clinically significant form and 1,9 per cent a severe form. Among the study’s flattest faces, the breed showed severe nostril narrowing. Excess weight increased risk across breeds.
Spinal cord, eyes and knees
US MRI examinations of 84 Brussels Griffons found Chiari-like malformation in 65 per cent and syringomyelia, fluid-filled spinal-cord cavities, in 52 per cent (Freeman et al. 2014). 28 per cent showed neurological deficits, 20 per cent neck pain, but many dogs with findings appeared unaffected. In the Cambridge study, 35,7 per cent showed excessive eye white, 11,4 per cent a nasal fold and 9,1 per cent a loose kneecap.
Longer-lived than expected
McMillan and colleagues’ 315 dogs reached a median 13,3 years, compared with 12,0 for crossbreeds. The table does not specify whether the British figure includes Griffon Belge and Petit Brabançon. It says nothing about breathing during those years.
Proud, watchful and affectionate
The standard describes a balanced little dog, attentive, proud, very attached to their person and highly watchful, neither fearful nor aggressive.
An honest assessment
A possible fit for people seeking a small, close companion, keeping the dog lean and demanding parental breathing tests, MRI results and kneecap assessments. Anyone treating snoring, neck scratching or limping as breed quirks should choose another breed.
Before deciding, try the breed quiz, with a fuller look in our book “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). If a beard and small size appeal, consider longer-muzzled breeds such as the Miniature Schnauzer (Zwergschnauzer) or the Border Terrier. Find all entries in the Dog Breed Encyclopedia. Small dogs also seek homes through shelters and rescue organisations. For the first weeks, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack.
Further reading
- Pug: what a nose bred away means in everyday life
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: perfect character, an unhealthy heart
- Is my dog overweight? How to assess body condition and ideal weight
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 80 Griffon Bruxellois (Brüsseler Griffon), gemeinsam mit Nr. 81 und 82 (fci.be, German version dated 21.05.2003, valid original standard published 25.03.2003); Tomlinson F et al., A cross-sectional study into the prevalence and conformational risk factors of BOAS across fourteen brachycephalic dog breeds, PLOS ONE 2026; Freeman AC et al., Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia in American Brussels Griffon dogs, Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 2014; McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024; Tierschutzgesetz § 6 (gesetze-im-internet.de).
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