Wire Fox Terrier vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison

Wire Fox Terrier vs Brussels Griffon - Breed ComparisonBrussels Griffon is originated from Belgium but Wire Fox Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Brussels Griffon may grow 19 cm / 7 inches shorter than Wire Fox Terrier. Both Brussels Griffon and Wire Fox Terrier are having almost same weight. Both Brussels Griffon and Wire Fox Terrier has almost same life span. Both Brussels Griffon and Wire Fox Terrier has almost same litter size. Both Brussels Griffon and Wire Fox Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Working dog
undefined
Belgium
United Kingdom
Height Male:
18 - 20 cm
7 - 8 inches
35 - 39 cm
13 - 16 inches
Height Female:
16 - 18 cm
6 - 8 inches
35 - 39 cm
13 - 16 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 6 kg
6 - 14 pounds
7 - 9 kg
15 - 20 pounds
Weight Female:
2 - 5 kg
4 - 12 pounds
7 - 9 kg
15 - 20 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
10 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 4
2 - 6
Size:
Toy
Medium
Other Names:
Griffon Belge • Griffon Bruxellois • Brussels Griffon • Petit Brabancon • Belgian Griffon • Griffon
None
Colors Available:
red, black-and-reddish-brown (called belge), black and tan, and black
black and tan, White
Coat:
rough and smooth types
Medium length, wiry
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Cheerful, Energetic, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

brussels griffonThe Brussels Griffon is one of the three different types of Griffons. There is the Belgian, the Petit, and the Brussels Griffon. “Griffon” means wiry and the Brussels Griffon lives up to that moniker. The Brussels Griffon’s coat is longer than that of the Belgian Griffon and the Petit Brabanon (Griffon) has a smooth, short coat. The breed is probably originally developed by crossing Belgian street dogs with the Affenpinsher as early in the 1800’s. They were favored by the cabbies in Brussels as guard dogs. They were also bred to hunt rats. Sometime toward the end of the 19th century, the Griffon was again crossed this time with a pug. This accounts for the type of head that the Brussels Griffon has, namely a brachycephalic head. It also accounts for the smooth coat of the Petit Griffon. The modern-day Griffon may also have been crossed at some time with one or more of these breeds: the English Toy Spaniel, the Irish Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier.

By 1880, the breed was recognized and appeared in the Brussels Exhibition of 1880. They were also found in paintings of the same era by the Flemish painter, Van Eyck. In the beginning of the 20th century, the breed was extremely popular with the nobility in Belgium. As with so many other breeds, the number of Brussels Griffon was greatly reduced during the First World War. It did not take them long however to make a comeback after the war. Their popularity then spread around the globe.

The European FCI considers the Brussels Griffon, the Belgian Griffon and the Petit Brabancon (Griffon) to be three separate breeds with no interbreeding among them. They are shown as three separate breeds in Europe, with the difference between the Belgian and Brussels being the accepted colors. The Brussels is only red in color while the Belgium Griffon can be in all other colors. In the United States the three types of Griffons are considered one breed with three varieties. Only the Brussels Griffon is recognized by the AKC. The difference in coat and color make for the different varieties in the U.S.

wire fox terrierThe wire fox terrier was developed in England by fox hunting enthusiasts. They wanted a feisty dog that could chase foxes down their burrows.

It is thought that the dog descended from the rough-coated black and tan working terriers of Wales.

The dog wasn’t popular as a pet until the 1930s when its appearance in certain films gave it a popularity-boost.

Description

brussels griffon puppy - descriptionAll three types of Griffons are toy size dogs with short, thick bodies and distinctive brachycephalic heads. Regardless of coat color their muzzles and whiskers are black, and they have large eyes, also black, a mustache and beard. They have black eyelashes and a nose that is very black. All this is set against their red, beige, black or black and tan coat. Their forehead is dome shaped and the muzzle is short. The breed has small ears that are high up on the dog’s head. The ears might be cropped in the United States but would not be in Europe. The lower jaw is prominent and the jaw itself is undershot. They have black toenails and pads, with strong and muscular hind legs. The Griffon has a docked, high set tail in the U.S. and a full tail in Europe and all of the United Kingdom.

The rough coated types have a dense and wiry coat and the standard encourages the hardest possible wire coat. Their heads are also wiry and long around the chin, cheeks, nose and eyes. They should be hand-stripped and never left ungroomed. The coat can matt if not taken care of adequately. One of the most important features of the Brussels Griffon is its human like face or monkey like appearance.

wire fox terrier puppy - descriptionThe Wire Fox Terrier is a sturdy, medium-sized dog that weighs between 7 and 9kg and stands between 35 and 39cm at the withers.

The dog’s double coat is essentially white with brown or tan markings and can be medium length and wiry, tending to be curly too.

He is a light shedder. The face is long, without much shape and eyes appear to be fairly close together. The ears are fairly small and they fold forward toward the cheeks. The tail is docked and is held high.

Temperament:

This really is an intelligent dog and can’t tolerate being bored. It’s essentially a companion dog too and doesn't want to be separated from his owners for too long.

As a companion dog he is going to want a lot of attention. They’re independent and strong-willed and will benefit from training and socialization.

They are great around children but they do need to be supervised as they are inclined to nip, especially when highly excited. They also bark quite a bit and the owner might have to do something to stop this yapping, especially when the dog is bored.

Characteristics

Characteristics

brussels griffon dog - characteristicsThe Brussels Griffon is sociable, alert and very intelligent. She is very energetic, playful and loving. They bond deeply with their family. Housebreaking might be a challenge as it is with all toy/small breeds. They are incredibly lonely and restless when their people are not around them. They have great personalities, terrier like characteristics, and deep loyalty to their humans. They are great companions and love children. Just remember how small they are. They are susceptible to Little Dog Syndrome if the human does not establish themselves as the alpha right away.

wire fox terrier dog - characteristicsThe Wire Fox Terrier is such a canine friend, ready to be with you no matter what you’re doing. They are social dogs and love being involved with their human companions.

He is independent but still social and enthusiastic and you can describe him as the ideal family dog.

He is a bundle of energy, and when you bring him into your home, you’re going to get a family member who is playful, joyful, loving and loyal – your very best friend.

Health Problems

brussels griffon puppies - health problemsThe Brussels Griffon is susceptible to many of the diseases and genetic conditions that many other toy or small dogs have. Flat-faced breeds like the Griffon also suffer from difficulty with breathing under certain weather conditions and they are known to snore. They should not be kept in hot, sunny, humid climates for this reason. They may also display patella luxation (slipping kneecaps) and hip dysplasia. Lastly, they are susceptible to ear infections. Dams are often in need of cesarean sections to deliver their litters. They have very serious health issues due to the head shape and flat face. These might include eye and respiratory issues and syringomyelia – a deadly neurological disease. They are susceptible to epilepsy, dental issues and eye lash issues.

wire fox terrier puppies - health problemsThese are healthy dogs, and if you get your dog from a responsible breeder, he will have been checked for health conditions such as cataracts, hip dysplasia, and luxating patellas.

Cataracts:

Cataracts are a problem with the lens of the eye. The lens focuses light and it should be crystal clear. A cataract obscures vision. Sometimes the cataract can be very small but other times it can grow to the size of the lens and then it can cause blindness.

Most times, dogs with cataracts can still see, and even though a dog may experience some confusion with a cataract, they don’t hurt the dog. They don’t go away on their own and will need to be removed surgically. If you see your dog has a cataract, consult your vet to get their opinion on the matter.

Allergies:

Your dog may be licking and scratching a lot and it may just be that your dog has a frustrating and irritating skin problem. This itching isn’t a disease but rather a cause of some disease.

There could be so many things that are causing your pet to scratch and it could be a skin disease, parasites or allergies. It can be terrible seeing the frustration it causes your pet and he will certainly need to see the vet.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

brussels griffon dogs - caringThe Brussels Griffon can choke easily so take care with the size of kibble you feed them. They need about one fourth to one half of a cup of high quality dry food that is designed for small or toy dogs. Divide this amount into two or three small meals per day. Puppies should be fed more often than adults but never feed just one large meal per day. Be careful that your Brussels Griffon does not become obese.

Health issues

The Brussels Griffon, regardless of type has some very serious health issues due to the shape of their heads.

Syringomyelia – extremely painful and fatal neurological disease.

Brachycephalic Syndrome – This can cause all the respiratory issues as well as eye issues such as cataracts and corneal ulcers.

Epilepsy - Seizures

Dental Disease – gum disease

Puppy Mortality – one of every four Brussels Griffon pupped die at birth.

Exercise and games

This is a very playful and energetic breed that needs at least some exercise every day. They love to play with their family. They are smart and easy to train. They love agility, obedience, barn hunt and tracking activities. You can just as effectively play with and exercise your Brussels inside as well as out.

Grooming:

wire fox terrier dogs - caringThis dog will need to be brushed regularly. Some people hand-strip their dogs. Most people prefer just to take their pets to a professional groomer to have them professionally clipped. The groomers will simultaneously clip his nails, clean the inside of his ears and also clean his teeth.

Diet:

The Wire Fox Terrier will expect you to supply him with high-quality dog food if you opt to use commercially manufactured dog food. These foods can be wonderfully convenient but you want the food to be packed with natural ingredients and be high in vitamins and minerals.

Any diet should also be appropriate to the dog’s age, his size, and his activity levels. Some homemade foods can also be a treat but this needs to be simple with no heavy spicing. Things such as boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables can be an excellent choice.

Cool, fresh water should be available at all times.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Brussels Griffon vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Brussels Griffon vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Brussels Griffon vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Brussels Griffon vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Brussels Griffon vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Brussels Griffon vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Brussels Griffon vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Brussels Griffon vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Brussels Griffon vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Brussels Griffon vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Brussels Griffon vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Brussels Griffon vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Brussels Griffon vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Brussels Griffon vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Brussels Griffon vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Brussels Griffon vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Brussels Griffon vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Brussels Griffon vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Brussels Griffon vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Brussels Griffon vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Brussels Griffon vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Brussels Griffon vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Brussels Griffon vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Brussels Griffon vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Brussels Griffon vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Wire Fox Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Wire Fox Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Wire Fox Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Wire Fox Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Wire Fox Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Wire Fox Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Wire Fox Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Wire Fox Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Wire Fox Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Wire Fox Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Wire Fox Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Wire Fox Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Wire Fox Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Wire Fox Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Wire Fox Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Wire Fox Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Wire Fox Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Wire Fox Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Wire Fox Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Wire Fox Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Wire Fox Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Wire Fox Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Wire Fox Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Wire Fox Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Wire Fox Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison