Brussels Griffon
Toy Group
Breed Standard
General Appearance
A toy dog, intelligent, alert, sturdy, with a thickset, short body, a
smart carriage and set-up, attracting attention by an almost human expression.
There are two distinct types of coat: rough or smooth. Except for coat, there is
no difference between the two.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size Weight usually 8 to 10 pounds, and should not exceed 12 pounds. Type
and quality are of greater importance than weight, and a smaller dog that is
sturdy and well proportioned should not be penalized. Proportion Square,
as measured from point of shoulder to rearmost projection of upper thigh and
from withers to ground. Substance Thickset, compact with good balance.
Well boned.
Head
A very important feature. An almost human expression. Eyes set
well apart, very large, black, prominent, and well open. The eyelashes long and
black. Eyelids edged with black. Ears small and set rather high on the
head. May be shown cropped or natural. If natural they are carried semi-erect.
Skull large and round, with a domed forehead. The stop deep. Nose
very black, extremely short, its tip being set back deeply between the eyes so
as to form a lay-back. The nostrils large. Disqualifications Dudley or
butterfly nose. Lips edged with black, not pendulous but well brought
together, giving a clean finish to the mouth. Jaws must be undershot. The
incisors of the lower jaw should protrude over the upper incisors. The lower jaw
is prominent, rather broad with an upward sweep. Neither teeth nor tongue should
show when the mouth is closed. A wry mouth is a serious fault.
Disqualifications Bite overshot. Hanging tongue.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck medium length, gracefully arched. Topline Back level and
short. Body A thickset, short body. Brisket should be broad and deep,
ribs well sprung. Short-coupled. Tail set and held high, docked to about
one-third.
Forequarters
Forelegs medium length, straight in bone, well muscled, set moderately wide
apart and straight from the point of the shoulders as viewed from the front.
Pasterns short and strong. Feet round, small, and compact, turned neither in nor
out. Toes well arched. Black pads and toenails preferred.
Hindquarters
Hind legs set true, thighs strong and well muscled, stifles bent, hocks well let
down, turning neither in nor out.
Coat
The rough coat is wiry and dense, the harder and more wiry the better. On
no account should the dog look or feel woolly, and there should be no silky hair
anywhere. The coat should not be so long as to give a shaggy appearance, but
should be distinctly different all over from the smooth coat. The head should be
covered with wiry hair, slightly longer around the eyes, nose, cheeks, and chin,
thus forming a fringe. The rough coat is hand-stripped and should never appear
unkempt. Body coat of sufficient length to determine texture. The coat may be
tidied for neatness of appearance, but coats prepared with scissors and/or
clippers should be severely penalized. The smooth coat is straight,
short, tight and glossy, with no trace of wiry hair.
Color
Either 1) Red: reddish brown with a little black at the whiskers and chin
allowable; 2) Belge: black and reddish brown mixed, usually with black
mask and whiskers; 3) Black and Tan: black with uniform reddish brown
markings, appearing under the chin, on the legs, above each eye, around the
edges of the ears and around the vent; or 4) Black: solid black. Any
white hairs are a serious fault, except for "frost" on the muzzle of a mature
dog, which is natural. Disqualification White spot or blaze any where on
coat.
Gait
Movement is a straightforward, purposeful trot, showing moderate reach and
drive, and maintaining a steady topline.
Temperament
Intelligent, alert and sensitive. Full of self-importance.
Scale of Points
Head
Skull 5
Nose and Stop 10
Eyes 5
Bite, Chin and Jaws 10
Ears 5--- 35
Coat
Color 12
Texture 13--- 25
Body and General Conformation
Body (Brisket and Rib) 15
Gait 10
Legs and Feet 5
General Appearance
(Neck, Topline and Tail carriage) 10--- 40
Total 100
Disqualifications
Dudley or butterfly nose.
Bite overshot.
Hanging tongue.
White spot or blaze anywhere on coat.
Approved September 11, 1990
Effective October 30, 1990