Brussels Griffon Care: Breathing, Grooming and Health

By Dr Duncan Houston

The Brussels Griffon's expressive face and close attachment to people can make a memorable companion. Their small size does not reduce the importance of comfortable breathing, gentle handling and preventive health care.

Quick Answer

Brussels Griffons need companionship, reward-based training and activity matched to their breathing and fitness. Rough and smooth coats have different grooming needs, while both types benefit from dental care and attention to eyes and knees. Noisy breathing, a painful eye or unexplained neck pain should be assessed rather than dismissed as a breed quirk.

What to expect at home

The breed developed in Belgium, with roots in small rat-catching dogs and later companion breeding. Griffons are toy dogs with a short muzzle and either a smooth coat or a rough coat with facial furnishings. Many are affectionate and alert, but confidence and sociability vary between individuals.

Provide company, comfortable rest and chances to explore safely. Children need active supervision and gentle interaction; a small dog can be injured by rough handling or a fall. Being carried constantly is not a substitute for appropriate exercise or social learning.

Teach comfortable time alone in small steps. Pacing, prolonged barking or frantic attempts to escape when you leave may signal distress. A crate is suitable only if the dog is relaxed in it and its use meets their needs; it does not cure separation anxiety.

Breathing and exercise come first

As a short-muzzled breed, Griffons may develop brachycephalic airway problems. Snoring, noisy breathing, poor exercise tolerance, gagging or disturbed sleep deserve discussion with your vet. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons describes the airway changes and treatment options.

Offer comfortable walks and play with breaks, adjusting to the individual dog and weather. Avoid strenuous exercise in heat, maintain a lean body condition and provide a cool resting environment. A fixed thirty-minute quota is less useful than observing comfort and recovery.

Laboured breathing, blue or grey gums, collapse or overheating is an emergency. Move an overheated dog to a cooler place, begin cooling with water cooler than the dog and airflow, and call an emergency clinic while arranging transport. Do not wait to see whether breathing returns to normal.

Grooming, teeth and food

• Smooth coat: regular gentle brushing removes loose hair and provides a chance to check the skin.
• Rough coat: comb and brush to prevent tangles, and discuss hand stripping or a practical pet trim with an experienced groomer.
• Face and eyes: keep the beard clean and check for irritation. Squinting, redness, cloudiness or a closed eye needs prompt assessment, not leftover eye drops.
• Teeth and nails: introduce gentle daily tooth brushing with dog toothpaste and regular nail handling. Dental pain may appear as slower eating or avoiding hard food.
• Feeding: use a complete life-stage diet and measured portions, with treats included in the daily calories.

Small amounts of extra food can matter for a toy dog. Ask your vet to assess body condition and oral health rather than judging only by weight or whether the dog still eats treats.

Health screening and pain awareness

The American Brussels Griffon Association's health programme includes patella and eye assessment and encourages wider investigation of relevant hip, cardiac, airway and neurological concerns. Ask a breeder for the actual results and family history, and have unclear reports explained.

Patellar luxation can cause skipping or lifting a hindleg. An examination is needed to distinguish it from injury or another source of pain. Persistent limping is not something to accept because a dog is small.

Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia have been documented in Brussels Griffons. These involve changes around the skull and spinal cord; affected dogs may have neck pain or neurological signs, while some MRI findings occur without obvious symptoms. Unexplained yelping, reluctance to move the head or new coordination problems warrant assessment. Your vet decides whether neurological referral and MRI are indicated. Do not assume all scratching or sensitivity has this cause.

Genetic and breeding health information informs decisions but cannot guarantee a puppy will remain free of illness. Keep routine examinations, vaccination and parasite prevention tailored to the individual.

Frequently asked questions

Is snoring normal for a Brussels Griffon?

It can reflect narrowed airways. Mention it to your vet, especially with poor sleep, gagging or reduced exercise tolerance.

Which coat is easier to maintain?

The smooth coat usually needs less coat work. Rough-coated dogs need a regular grooming plan, but individual skin and handling needs also matter.

Does every Griffon need an MRI?

No blanket rule fits every pet. Discuss symptoms, breeding considerations and family history with your vet.

Are Griffons easy to house train?

They can learn with consistency, frequent toilet opportunities and rewards. Persistent or new accidents may need a medical assessment.

If you are unsure whether a Griffon's breathing, movement or behaviour has changed, ASK A VET™ can help you identify the right next step.