The Brussels Griffon has whiskers similar to the image of Zhong Kui in Chinese mythology. It is a small breed of dog originating from Belgium, formerly used as stable dogs and have also been carried in double-seat horse-drawn carriages.
It is said to have a lineage of German Monkey-Face dogs and has been the beloved dog of the Belgian royal family for a long time. This dog gives people the impression of being intelligent and gentle, and is loved by both upper-class elites and ordinary people, receiving high praise. It was the most representative toy dog of the Belgian dog at that time.
This dog is brave, fearless, adaptable, and friendly, with a very high intelligence. It likes to be loved by its owner and take long walks. However, its temperament is also very sensitive. As soon as it senses a stranger approaching, a young Brussels Griffon will immediately show a strong self-protective awareness that only teenagers have, which is really rare among dogs of the same breed.
This dog comes in two varieties, red long-haired dog and black-haired dog, but is not yet popular in China and the number is small. In North America, the dog's ears are usually trimmed off at one corner and the tail is also shortened.
The Brussels Griffon comes from Belgium in the 19th century. By 1880, it had a muzzle similar to that of a Havanese dog after crossbreeding, and was called the "Crook-footed Shorthair Dog". According to historical records, it is possible that the Monkey Terrier is the ancestor of this dog.
In the 19th century, people were proud to have this dog by their side in carriages, as it represented the most avant-garde and fashionable trend of the time. It could also be kept in the stable at night to prevent mice, so it was also called the "Wings of the Stable".
From 1883, the Belgian Dog Traders Club established the first-class association, and this dog was naturally allowed to be registered. The breed standard was established in 1905.
The Brussels Griffon is very strong and energetic, brave, adaptable and friendly. It is also highly intelligent, making it a great choice as a companion dog.
Most of the time, this dog is gentle and friendly, but occasionally it can be difficult to handle. Therefore, it requires a patient owner who can train it from a young age to develop good habits.
It naturally loves freedom and dislikes being restrained. When restrained, it can be stubborn and difficult to control. It is best suited for families with larger living spaces and preferably a yard.
1. Heart disease
Dog heart disease is often associated with obesity and old age. When dogs have heart disease, they mainly show symptoms of fatigue and shortness of breath. It is difficult to detect heart disease in dogs, and when owners notice it, the disease is usually severe.
2. Infectious diseases
Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common malignant infectious diseases in dogs, with a high fatality rate. Dogs that are not vaccinated in a timely manner are prone to these two infectious diseases. Once they become ill, they will show symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, high body temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney disease
Speaking of common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease cannot be ignored. The terrible thing about dog kidney disease is its unconscious progression. By the time the owners notice it, more than 75% of the dog's kidney cells have already been damaged. When dogs have problems, the symptoms usually include blood in the urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms are common parasites in dogs. When dogs are infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms include emaciation, lethargy, diarrhea, worm feces, and pale gum mucosa. Heartworms are parasites that live in the dog's heart. After dogs are infected, they will show symptoms such as poor vitality, coughing, anemia, wheezing, and ascites.
5. Canine pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but canine pneumonia is a complication of other diseases. It often occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory tract system, bacterial infections, canine distemper infections, viral respiratory infections, impaired lung function, and heartworm infections. Coughing, nasal congestion, and elevated body temperature are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
Everyday food combinations should include 150-200 grams of meat, followed by an equal amount of dry ingredients and biscuit ingredients to ensure freshness. Pay attention to hygiene when cooking.
Used utensils should be cleaned and disinfected in a timely manner to ensure its health and disease-free.
The exercise requirement for this breed is not high, so there is no need to take it out for a walk every day. Occasionally walking for a short distance or allowing it to roam freely in the yard for about ten minutes, or engaging in appropriate jumping and running is enough.
1. Do not bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, of course, it should not be too frequent. The frequency of bathing a dog depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, it can be bathed one or two more times, and in winter it can be reduced by one or two times. But overall, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Brush the coat regularly
Dogs shed almost every day, especially in spring and autumn. Seasonal shedding is more severe. To promote good hair growth, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use special brushes to help the dog remove naturally shed hair and prevent tangles. Brushing once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's fur. In addition to making the fur more shiny, letting the dog sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. During sunbathing, pet owners can also let the dog exercise, which can help improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworm
Poor fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from a dog's body, depriving the dog of nutrition. Therefore, deworming is essential. It is recommended to deworm both internally and externally. Deworming medication can cause significant harm to a dog's gastrointestinal tract, so it is advisable to feed probiotics regularly to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order to have beautiful fur, a dog must have a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to its daily diet. On the one hand, feed the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a suitable and nutritious dog food that meets the dog's needs. On the other hand, the dog can be fed with a moderate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolk, and vegetable oil.