Pet Topics

The Brussels Griffon is a charming little dog that somewhat resembles one of the Ewoks, from the Star Wars movies. These little dogs have bags of character and a decidedly comedic personality. With a large domed head, a short muzzle, large protruding eyes, an over-bite, and a tongue that often sticks out, these dogs are very distinctive. Add the dense red or brown coat and black face markings and the Ewok comparison is easy to see.

As you might have guessed from the name, the Brussels Griffon hails from the Belgian capital city of Belgium. They were very popular with drivers of horse drawn cabs, who used them to control rodents in their stables. The breeds debut as a show dog was in 1880, when it appeared at the Brussels Expo.

This exposure resulted in the breed becoming more common as companion dogs, and as people became aware of their intelligence and affectionate nature they became popular pets. The Brussels Griffon is a happy-go-lucky little character that loves interacting with people and also enjoys the company of other dogs, and even cats they’ve been raised with.

They are very affectionate and love to entertain, something they do very well with their comical behavior and talent for performing tricks. Despite this though, they are no push-overs. These spirited dogs are brave and protective and make excellent watchdogs.

Unfortunately, this trait also makes them prone to dominant behaviors. Firm and consistent leadership is required to ensure that the dog understands his position in the pack. In the absence of leadership, the Griffon will think he’s in charge, and act accordingly. This can lead to behavioral problems, like growling, biting and problem barking.It doesn’t have to come to this though, with obedience training, socialization, and enough physical and mental stimulation, the Griffon makes an excellent pet.

The Brussels is a healthy breed with few of the congenital defects often found in pure bred dogs. Eye and respiratory problems can occur, and the dog is also sensitive to heat. Median lifespan for the breed is between 12 and 15 years.

You’ll need to spend quite a bit of time grooming your dog, as the Griffon coat needs to be brushed every day to keep it looking good. The pay-off though is that this breed sheds minimally.

These dogs will generally adapt well to apartment life, provided they get regular outdoor exercise. A daily walk is a must, while your Griffon will also enjoy indoor and outdoor games.An unusual behavior associated with Griffons is that they love to climb. You’ll find them scaling cupboards and bookshelves indoors, and if there’s a tree in our back yard, they’ll climb that too. Be aware that this could present an escape risk if the tree happens to be close to a boundary fence.

If you’re looking for puppy names, for your Brussels Griffon, I’d recommend Puppy Names HQ, a site with an extensive database of dog names, including thousands of male dog names.

Standing 25 inches tall and weighing up to 75 pounds, the American Foxhound is an athletic, medium-sized hunting dog. It is closely related to the English Foxhound, although with a sleeker, and somewhat taller profile.

These dogs are built for endurance with long legs and deep chests. The head is long with widely set eyes, and hanging ears. Four color variants are recognized in the breed standard, red, blue, tri-color, and black and tan. The coat is short, dense and harsh to the touch.

A direct descendent of English Foxhounds that arrived in America around 1650, the American Foxhound is one of the earliest American hunting breeds. The athletic profile of the dog was achieved by cross breeding with French hounds, making it a very fast mover. It also has an outstanding nose and is an exceptional tracker. A standout feature of the breed is its distinguishing bark when following a trail.

The American Foxhound is still primarily a working dog, rather than a companion dog. They are not a good choice as a pet for most dog owners due to their high energy levels, although they can be a good companion for the right person.

The ideal owner for this dog would be someone with a love for the great outdoors. The dog will enjoy hiking and jogging, but will prefer to have a job to do. Someone with a job where they can involve the dog would be a good fit. If you cannot meet this dog’s exercise requirements, you should definitely look elsewhere.

Having said that, for the right owner, an American Foxhound will make an excellent pet. Like most hunting breeds they are very sociable and gets on particularly well with kids. They are accepting of other dogs, but less so of non-canine pets, so you’ll have to keep an eye on them. They also tend to be wary of strangers.

If you’re having trouble finding good dog names for your American Foxhound, I’d recommend Puppy Names HQ. This site has a huge database of dog names, including many excellent girl dog names.

This breed is all but free of genetic health problems, although they are prone to putting on weight, so you’ll have to control food quantities and ensure steer away from junk food and table scraps.

Grooming is easy. The coat is short and only needs to be brushed once a week except during the shedding season. The American Foxhound is a heavy shedder, and during this time a daily brush will be needed.

It should be pretty obvious that this dog will not do well in an apartment. If you have a house with a large garden, or better still if you live in the country, this may be the dog for you. But you will still need to be prepared to give the dog vigorous exercise every day.