Petit Brabançon Griffon
Description
The Petit Brabançon Griffon is a small, sturdy dog with a smooth coat that comes in reddish-brown, black, or a mix of black and reddish-brown. This breed traces back to 17th-century Belgium, where it worked as a rat catcher in stables before becoming a favored companion for nobility. Despite its toy size, the Petit Brabançon carries itself with a confident, alert demeanor. Its face is especially expressive, with large, round eyes that seem to communicate like a person. These dogs are cheerful and curious, always ready to join family activities. They can be a bit stubborn but respond well to patient, positive training. They don’t bark much and prefer to stay close to their humans, sometimes showing signs of separation anxiety if left alone too long. Their compact frame, weighing between 8 and 10 pounds, makes them perfect for apartment living or smaller homes.
Grooming
The Petit Brabançon’s smooth coat needs regular upkeep but isn’t demanding. Brush once a week using a rubber curry or bristle brush to keep the coat shiny and remove loose hairs. Bathing every 4 to 8 weeks is enough—don’t overdo it or you risk drying out their skin. Check and clean ears monthly to prevent buildup, and trim nails every 2 to 4 weeks to keep paws comfortable. - Brush weekly with rubber curry or bristle brush - Bathe every 4 to 8 weeks - Trim nails every 2 to 4 weeks - Clean ears monthly - Tidy coat as needed Pro tip: Because of their dark masks and reddish markings, wipe the face gently after meals to avoid staining and keep their expressive features clear. This breed sheds lightly to moderately but doesn’t have a heavy seasonal blow, so regular brushing is enough year-round.
Learn the Smooth routine:
→ Complete Smooth Grooming Guide
Walking
Petit Brabançons need about 25 minutes of walking daily, split into one solid session. They’re not marathon runners but enjoy a steady, calm stroll that lets them sniff and explore safely. This breed’s low barking tendency means walks are usually peaceful, with little fuss over other dogs or noises. A good routine might be a 10-minute walk in the morning to stretch legs and a 15-minute walk in the evening to wind down. Keep the pace moderate—fast enough to keep them interested but slow enough to avoid overexertion. They appreciate a leash that’s secure but gentle, as their small size means they can be sensitive to pulling. Example: Morning walk—10 minutes around the block. Evening walk—15 minutes in the park with some sniff breaks.
Boarding
When boarding a Petit Brabançon, provide a crate sized between 24 and 30 inches to ensure enough room for comfort without feeling too large. These dogs enjoy calm, gentle play rather than roughhousing, so staff should focus on quiet interaction and mental enrichment like puzzle toys or gentle training sessions. Daily exercise should include calm decompression time to help them relax after activity. Staff should watch for signs of separation anxiety and offer extra attention or familiar items from home to ease stress. Because of their small size and sensitive nature, avoid loud, chaotic environments. Enrichment can include short training drills, scent games, or soft chew toys. This breed thrives on human contact, so consistent, gentle handling is key to a happy stay.