Griffon is a small Belgian dog. Description of the breed, characteristics of nature and care

Griffon is a mighty dog that fits in a small body and looks at everything around with its wise eyes, like an all-knowing old man. Belgium is the country of origin of the breed. Griffonties van Beigiei - its original name. Brussels Griffon, Brabanton Birds and Griffon Belgian - other names.

Small Belgian dog: description

The one who has never had to meet a Belgian griffon, after hearing the name of the breed, can imagine a solid 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 an endless vital energy.

Small Belgian dogs are quite strong, cheerful 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 small Belgian dogs were bearded street dogs that lived at that time in the Flemish region of Belgium. They were known in the 17th century. Belgian Griffon as a breed appeared as a result of crossing the pug and Griffon of Brussels. It is assumed that the creation of the breed was attended by the Toy Terriers.

Initially, representatives of this breed were kept in stables, using rodents for catching. At the exhibition they first came in 1889, it was held in France. Finally, the breed was formed only by the beginning of the twentieth century. It was officially recognized in 1928.

Now 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 the breeders established the National Club of the breed, the popularity of animals began to grow.

Appearance

The appearance of a dog of this breed is attractive. They are low, compactly built, elegant. You can learn them by bearded, like a monkey, a muzzle.

Head with a convex forehead, round in shape, broad, chin - pushed forward. The nose of the nose is black, large. Large round eyes, eyelids also black. Small ears after cupping are standing, in their natural form, they simply hang on cartilages.

The body is square, with a deep, broad chest and straight back. Medium-length limbs have small round-shaped paws with black pads. The tail is taken to be two-thirds of the length, it is set high.

The woolen coat is coarse, long, according to the standard after trimming it should fit snugly and be short. The peculiarity of the species of the breed is that they have different coloring. Small Belgian dogs have three basic types of color: black, black with an admixture of red tans on the chest, above the eyes and on the paws, and red with a black mask.

Character griffon

One of the features of the Belgian Griffon character is its steadiness. He is always in high spirits, but his voice does not often give out.

Another good character trait, inherent in the representatives of griffons, is observation. They quickly memorize and assimilate the rules by which the family lives, and always find themselves where the host may be needed. Devotion helps them become pleasant companions and friends.

Uncommon cleanliness distinguishes the breed from a small Belgian dog from others. It happens that the Belgian himself brings a napkin to the owner so that after eating he can wipe the remnants of food from the bearded face.

Such a character trait, like shyness at the sight of strangers, probably only exists in the Belgian griffon.

Features of the content

A small Belgian dog is suitable for keeping in a city apartment. This does not mean that she will sit at home alone all day and be bored. The pet should always be near the owner or family members, for him it is very important.

For a pet you need to determine the place where he can rest and sleep at night. There he will store his favorite things. These can be socks, children's toys, slippers of the owner. So he can train family members to order. For such a property of character griffon gave the nickname Barabashka (or Kuzya).

The dog needs regular walks, which help her to maintain well-being and health. Walking a dog needs a lot of time, so he could run into plenty.

The owner is important to know that a small Belgian dog does not feel well in the heat. Hence, it is necessary to create such conditions of detention, in which its existence in the summer hot months would be safe and comfortable.

Griffon can be called happiness in the house, but you can not spoil it!

Care of a small Belgian dog

Belgian Griffon refers to clean animals, despite this, it is absolutely necessary to take care of it. This especially requires the coat of a dog. She is very dense. The procedure to be performed regularly is cleaning and combing. During molting, which happens twice a year, the wool of griffons is renewed, at this time it is necessary to remove old strands from it.

It is also recommended to do trimming, trim the hair around the eyes, down on the abdomen, on the ears, at the edges of the paws.

You should also take care of the eyes and wrinkles on the face. Tooth should be given special attention, because dwarf dogs often suffer from periodontal disease. At a tartar the problem should be solved by the veterinarian. In addition, the pet's teeth should be constantly cleaned with a special toothpaste and a dog brush.

Feeding a small Belgian dog

Griffons eat all that they are given. They like to eat well, but do not suffer from excessive fullness. This does not mean that they can be treated with different tidbits, not knowing the measures.

What food should be consumed by the Belgian griffon? Breeds of dogs differ little in this respect, one should only treat the ration of pets with all seriousness, in order to preserve their health. Griffons need a menu of natural products or special dry food of high quality. When calculating a diet when feeding with natural products or choosing a ready food, you should take into account the age and condition of the animals. An active healthy dog should be fed more nutritious food, and a puppy and an old dog should be given food more easily, fed often and gradually.

If the owner of the animal prefers to use natural products for feeding his pet, then he must know that they should always be fresh and useful. Representatives of the Belgian Griffon breed have a sensitive stomach, abandoned stale meat or food from the table cause them a digestive disorder.

Meat is considered the main product in the menu of any dog, including griffon. Dogs are recommended to give different raw meat, except pork. Chicken meat is allowed only cooked. 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, which is easily taken by the animal's body.

If every day to give a dog a fish rich in phosphorus and fatty acids, its coat will look beautiful and the skin healthy. Before feeding, the fish must be boiled for a few minutes.

It is strictly forbidden to feed griffon with legumes and potatoes.

Diseases of a small Belgian dog

Belgian Griffon has good health and is considered a small long-liver. On average, he lives 12-15 years.

Hereditary diseases have bypassed this breed side, they though and happen, but in rare cases.

The main problems in these dogs with health arise from the head, its uniqueness. It creates problems during childbirth, which often occurs with complications, you have to do a caesarean section. The shape of the head is the culprit of breathing problems, some dogs make incomprehensible sounds, snoring and wheezing. The griffon's body can not cool normally, the reason for this is short airways.

Features of the binding of a Belgian small dog

Experienced breeders do not recommend early breed dogs. Griffon (a small Belgian dog) must be well formed, strengthened. Only a healthy parent couple can give good offspring.

Dogs are able to reproduce at 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 taken into account.

Because of the small size, reproduction of the rock is not easy. It is good if during the delivery there will be a veterinarian nearby.

In the litter there are up to three puppies. In griffons the maternal instinct is developed strongly, from them beautiful mothers are obtained who feed their inheritance with their own milk. In the first days after childbirth, they do not abandon the puppies for a minute, from time to time they lick them and turn them over.

Very devoted to their children are small Belgian dogs. Puppies grow very fast, on the 12-14 day they begin to see, until the end of the third week there is a rumor. So, it's time to give them food.