The Official Kennel Club Breed Standard of the Griffon Bruxellois

General appearance: A cobby, well balanced square little dog, giving appearance of measuring the same from withers to tail root as from withers to ground.

Characteristics: Smart little dog with disposition of a terrier. Two varieties, rough-coated, Griffon Bruxellois and smooth-coated, Petit Brabancon. Both with pert, monkey-like expression, heavy for size.

Temperament: Lively and alert.

Head and skull: Head large in comparison to body, rounded but in no way domed, wide between the ears. Hair on skull, in roughs rather coarse. Nose always black, as short as possible with large open nostrils, high set sloping back to skull with deep stop between nose and skull. Wide muzzle, neat lips, with good turn-up. Chin prominent, in roughs furnished with beard.

Eyes: Black-rimmed, very dark, large, round, clear and alert.

Ears: Semi-erect, high set, the smaller the better.

Mouth: Slightly undershot with even teeth, not showing teeth or tongue.

Neck: Medium length, slightly arched, springing from well laid back shoulders.

Forequarters: Chest rather wide and deep, legs straight of medium length and bone.

Body: Short back, level from withers to tail root, neither roaching nor dipping; deep; well sprung ribs; short, strong loin.

Hindquarters: Well muscled thighs of good length, hocks low to ground, turning neither in nor out, stifles well bent.

Feet: Small, thick, cat-like with black toenails.

Tail: Previously customarily docked.
Docked: Docked short, high set, emerging at right angles from level topline.
Undocked: High set, emerging at right angles from level topline. Of moderate length, curved gently over back when moving.

Gait/Movement: Free with good drive from rear. Moving true coming and going. High stepping front movement undesirable.

Coat: Roughs: harsh, wiry, free from curl, preferably with undercoat. Smooths: short and tight.

Colour: Clear red, black or black and rich tan without white markings. In clear red, a darker shade on mask and ears desirable. Ideally each hair should be an even red from tip to root. Frosting on muzzles of mature smooths should not be penalised.

Size: From 3.2 - 5 Kgs (7 - 11 lbs); most desirable 3.6 - 4.5 Kgs (8 - 10 lbs) ). (Note: weight change agreed by the KC and effective from 1/11/2004.)

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles full descended into the scrotum

Copyright the Kennel Club - Reproduced with their kind permission.