Trainability

Don’t be fooled by size, this wee little bundle needs a good dose of training or they will most certainly have the whole household trained! A lively little dog that will thrive in an active loving household. They have been known to be difficult to house-train so consider crate training and stay persistent. Griffons are known for being a bossy-boots so enrolling in early training is important. To grow into a well-rounded dog, like with all breeds, your Griffon will need early socialisation so think as many sights, sounds and situations as possible. Puppy-preschools work wonderfully for this, and can also help with early training. They need positive training with plenty of repetition. This breed loves to stick like glue to those they love, however your little shadow will need to learn some good doggy manners, particularly when it comes to visitors. Lots of praise and a little tasty food goes a long way with training these wee dogs. Like with all breeds, long boring training sessions will not take the interest of your pup. Keep it fun, light and positive. When you see your dog losing interest change the training, or take a break. They excel in all dog sports and will actively participate in any adventure you partake in.

Grooming

The Griffon comes in two coat types, rough and smooth. The rough coated variety (or wire coat) will require weekly grooming with a bristle brush and a metal comb to keep the coat mat free and looking its best. The coat will also need the attention of a professional groomer twice a year to ‘hand strip. Some owners also choose to clip their rough coated Griffons to keep the coat feeling soft.

Their smooth coated cousins do not need the same amount of attention and will benefit from a weekly brush with a rubber mitt to remove dead hair. Vet proofing your pet is also a good idea, this includes clipping their nails and getting your dog used to having their paws, faces, ears, and teeth touched without any fear. This can really help with vet visits down the line.

Exercise Requirements

This little dog can be a wonderful house dog but does require a lot of exercise to keep them happy and healthy. They don’t necessarily need an enormous backyard to burn off this energy but they will require a good off-leash run and brisk walk daily. However, care must be taken during the heat. This breed can suffer from heatstroke very quickly so always take care during summertime entertainment. Consider enrolling in a dog sport for extra curriculum activity that you and your dog can excel in.

Intelligence

The Griffon is a smart wee fella that will certainly take the lead if nobody is around. They simply adore their family and will tend to have a favourite in the household that may leave others a little jealous of your four-legged BFF. Because of this intelligent streak and need to be loved, if left alone for long periods or not sufficiently exercised or trained your dog will become destructive. Consider boredom busting toys like treatballs and Kongs, plus rotate your home-alone toys daily.

Family Friendly

The Griffon can be a one-person dog and will thrive in the homes of those who have said a goodbye to their grown children. They love to be loved, and to be the shadow of their loving owners. The breed can become irritated at loud rambunctious children, or those who demand cuddles or chasing. However, in saying this if the pup has grown up around children they can easily learn to tolerate such excitement in the home. Like with all breeds, large or small, your children need to be taught how to correctly interact with a dog, and a dog trained how to correctly play with a child. Supervision is always recommended with any dog/child relationship. Remembering that sitting cuddles that are instigated by the pup is always best. Griffons will take well to life with other pets, particularly after good socialisation as pups.

Indoor/ Outdoor

This breed does not take well to life outdoors. They will struggle in the heat and the cold weather. This makes them perfectly suited to apartment life, and life in the lap of a loving owner. They are most certainly house-dogs. Ensure your pet always has ample cool and weatherproof areas to enjoy, and ample water. Never exercise your pup in the heat of the day.

Breeding

It is very important to only source your new family member from a reputable breeding establishment, to ensure your puppy is healthy. Ask all the important questions about hereditary problems and ask to see mum and dad. Contact your local breed club and research your chosen breeder. Your breeder should have proof that they regularly test their dogs for genetic diseases and to ensure that the dogs they are breeding from have sound temperaments. It may take a little more time than a quick purchase, but it can save you and your family from unimaginable heartache and pain dealing with a sick puppy.