Petit Brabançon (Small Brabançon, Brabant Griffon, Smooth-haired Griffon)

The Petit Brabancon is a notable member of the Belgian Griffon family. Some consider them adorable, others awkward, but anyone familiar with this dwarf breed agree that dogs are attractive due to their unique appearance and strength of character.

Content

1 History of origin
2 Appearance and standards
3 Character and psychological portrait
4 Upbringing
5 Maintenance and care
6 Diet
7 Health and life expectancy
8 Choosing a Petit Brabancon Puppy and Price
9 Photos

History of origin

The origins of the Belgian Griffon are quite controversial. Some believe the Affenpinscher was the breed's ancestor, while others maintain the opposite, claiming the Affenpinscher descended from the Griffons of Belgium. What is undeniable is that the wire-haired ancestors of today's small dogs were already present in Europe as early as the 15th century.

The Belgian Griffon's ancestors were most likely small, wire-haired terriers that roamed the streets of Brussels. They were especially favored by stablehands for their skill at catching rats and their vigilant, sonorous guard dogs.

In the late 19th century, these dogs became popular with city ladies. Soon, they began to attract the attention of nobles as well. In 1880, the breed became so popular among both commoners and the upper class that the Belgian Griffon Club was formed, and the first standard for the breed was written.

The popularity and spread of the Griffon was fueled by Queen Marie Henrietta of Belgium's fascination with the breed. Queen Astrid later continued breeding these small, playful dogs, improving their appearance.

In the 19th century, smooth-coated puppies began to appear in litters of wire-coated dogs. This was due to the crossing of Griffons with pugs and other small dogs of the time to improve their appearance. Initially, they were rejected, but breeders eventually recognized the dogs' pedigree qualities and identified them as a separate variety—the Brabant Griffon. The dogs were named after the Brabant region of Belgium. In the following years, the dogs rapidly spread throughout the world, becoming popular in England and France, and first arriving in the United States, where they didn't achieve the same popularity as in Europe, but they didn't go unnoticed.

Video review of the Petit Brabancon dog breed:

Appearance and standards

In the Griffon family, the Petit Brabançon is the white sheep, the only one with short, straight hair. Otherwise, it is similar to its fellows. The Petit Brabançon is a small, sturdy, well-built dog with a distinctive muzzle and expressive, large eyes. It weighs 3.5-6 kg.

The head is the most prominent part of the body, and is quite large in comparison to the rest of the dog's body. The muzzle is very short, no more than 1.5 cm long. The nose is black and level with the eyes. The tip of the nose is slightly angled back. The lips are tight and black. The bite is undershot. The eyes are set wide apart, large, and round, but not too prominent. The color should be as dark as possible. It is desirable for the whites to be invisible. The ears are set high and small. Uncropped ears are semi-erect or hang forward; cropped ears are pointed and erect.

Ears and tail may be docked or left natural.The length of the body from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks should be as close as possible to the dog's height at the withers. The back is straight. The loin is short and slightly arched. The croup is wide and straight, slightly sloping. The chest is broad. The underline is moderately tucked up. The tail is set high and may be docked, reaching two-thirds of its natural length. In its natural state, it should not curl. The limbs are straight, parallel, and have good bone structure.

The coat all over the body is short, hard, straight and shiny, about 2 cm long. The Petit Brabancon can be of the following colors:

Black;
Black and tan;
Ginger;
Mixed (a mixture of black, red and brown, on individual hairs).

A small amount of white is allowed in all colors, but only on the chest.

Character and psychological portrait

Griffons have a lively personality, a resourceful mind, and courage. They are excellent companions and vigilant guardians of their homes. Their rare combination of dignity and self-confidence is remarkable, not to mention their sense of humor and intelligence. Griffons are known for their stable nature; they are neither aggressive nor shy. Petit Brabancons are very active, sociable, and curious.

Photos of Brabancons cannot fully demonstrate all the charms of these amazing dogs, show their friendliness, loyalty and funny playfulness.

Brabancons are very attached to their owners, do not tolerate loneliness well, and require close contact. They are naturally very sensitive and do not tolerate unfair treatment. They can sometimes be jealous and stubborn, and they have a certain amount of pride and self-love, so they should not be overly pampered. A pampered dog becomes smug and insolent. A Petit Brabancon can become aggressive if strangers encroach on its territory. They are always wary of strangers. Griffons are naturally alert, but rarely bark without cause. The Petit Brabancon is quite peaceful and therefore gets along well with other pets in the house.

Upbringing

Training a Petit Brabancon puppy is the responsibility of every owner. If insufficient time is devoted to obedience training, the pet will become stubborn and overly independent in the future.

Training your Petit Brabancon to obey commands is not necessary, but highly recommended.

An obedient dog is much easier to manage both at home and on walks. These dogs are very intelligent and quickly understand what's expected of them. Adult Brabancons are rarely a problem, but as puppies, they can be overly playful. Some owners report that their puppies didn't immediately adjust to their new home, and had some problems with toilet training. This is more common when puppies are adopted as young puppies, under three months old.

Maintenance and care

The Petit Brabancon is ideal for apartment living of any size. It doesn't require vigorous exercise and doesn't take up much space. It's neat, clean, and quiet. However, it's recommended to walk the dog twice a day. In cold weather, it's important to provide warm clothing, as Petit Brabancons are very sensitive to cold. Griffons have a very short muzzle, but unlike pugs and other short-muzzled dogs, they rarely snore.

The Petit Brabancon is low-maintenance. It doesn't require daily brushing or washing its beard after every meal. Brushing it once or twice a week is sufficient. Dust and dirt can be removed from the body with a damp cloth. Bathe the Brabancon as needed, usually every 3-4 weeks. In winter, bathing is required less frequently than in warmer months.

A dog may develop a specific odor if sufficient attention is not paid to hygiene, as well as if it is fed an inappropriate diet.

A Griffon's eyes and ears must be kept clean and healthy. It's best to clean the eyes daily, while the ears should be cleaned about once a week, sometimes less frequently. Regular brushing with a special toothbrush and toothpaste will help prevent gum inflammation and tartar buildup. Ideally, teeth should be brushed like humans, or at least once a week.

Many dogs that walk on asphalt wear down their nails on their own, but in some cases, owners have to monitor the length of their pet's nails and trim them as they grow.

Diet

Most Griffon breeders prefer commercial dry food. Super-premium and holistic foods are fully balanced and don't require any additional supplements or ingredients. Petit Brabancons are often picky eaters, so providing them with a varied, balanced diet can be challenging. Other dogs, on the contrary, are overly voracious, and improper feeding can quickly lead to weight gain. Of course, you can feed your dog a natural diet if you prefer.

Health and life expectancy

Most dangerous hereditary diseases in Griffons manifest soon after birth, a kind of natural selection in the first months of life. On the one hand, this is a disadvantage, as the puppies have a minimal chance of survival, but on the other hand, the remaining puppies are generally healthy, strong, and have strong immune systems. Most diseases to which Petit Brabancons are predisposed are successfully treated. The most common diseases and pathologies are:

narrowed nostrils;
prolapse of the eyeball;
distichiasis (extra eyelashes);
progressive retinal atrophy;
cataract;
dislocation of the patella;
hydrocephalus;
aarasitic diseases;
difficult labor (often requiring a cesarean section)

The Petit Brabancon's health depends largely on its living conditions, proper feeding, and timely preventative care (vaccinations, deworming, and routine checkups). The average lifespan is 12-14 years.

Choosing a Petit Brabancon Puppy and Price

There are three different varieties in total Belgian GriffonsThe Brussels Griffon, the Belgian Griffon, and the Petit Brabancon. Mating between the three varieties is permitted. Therefore, it is very difficult to definitively separate the three breeds. Each individual dog's ancestors are most often representatives of all three types. This breeding approach helps preserve the vibrant color, correct coat texture, and robust health. Don't be surprised if the breeder you're visiting has puppies of a different type in addition to the Petit Brabancon, with the parents being a Brabancon and, for example, a Brussels Griffon.

A future owner of a small Petit Brabancon should decide in advance what the dog will be used for. Will it be a pet only, or will it participate in shows and breeding in the future? This directly affects the choice of puppy and its price.

Pet-class puppies are usually purchased for a home and family. These babies are purebred dogs with a good pedigree, but they may have some color or dental defects that will prevent them from becoming quality parents in the future. Breeders don't always separate their puppies into classes, so sometimes you can buy a champion for a relatively low price, but sometimes the opposite is true. Due to the low popularity of Belgian Griffons, there are few ads for sale "from hand to hand." A Petit Brabancon puppy without papers can be purchased for an average of 10,000-15,000 rubles. Pedigree puppies from reputable breeders from kennels start at 35,000 rubles.