Lucas Terrier vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison

The Belgian Griffon isn’t your most attractive dog, but maybe its his quirky, gremlin looks that makes him such an adored pet for many. There are different varieties of Griffon, and the Belgian- and Brussels Griffon are one and the same. All small Belgian dogs have the same breed standards, with the Belgian having a rough coat The dog hails from Belguim and its ancestors were no doubt a mix of the Belgian street dog, the Stable Griffon and the Affenpinscher.

Later on in the 1800s, this combination was then crossed with the Pug, giving the dog the brachycephalic or flat faced look.

Unfortunately no written records were kept about the precise origin of this breed, but there is also the idea that the King Charles- and English Toy Spaniel were also involved in its development. These small dogs were bred to catch rats in the barns of European estates.

The Lucas Terrier is a rare breed which hails from England, originating there in the late 1940s. Today it is considered a purebred. It was originally a hybrid dog, bred by crossing a Norfolk Terrier with a Sealyham Terrier.

Sir Lucas felt that the Sealyham Terrier was a bit too big for his purpose so he crossed the Sealyham with Norfolk Terriers to bring about the Lucas Terrier. The Lucas Terrier is a dog which is essentially bred for temperament and companionship and is therefore not aggressive.

The Lucas Terrier has been in the United States of America since the late 1960s and is considered a rare breed.The Lucas Terrier Club is a private, informally run organisation developed to both preserve and promote this dog breed.

Small but Full of Attitude

There are different variations of this dog to give it its distinctive look and size. This quaint looking little Griffon canine comes with two different coat types - soft or wiry. With the Belgian Griffon, his wiry coat of red, tan or black will need to be brushed at least twice a week. Shedding with this dog is seasonal.

He has a compact, sturdy little body, and he trots around with attitude. With his sharp pointed ears and whiskers, he has been given the nickname ‘bearded dog’. His dark black eyes are alert. He is self-confident, intelligent and curious breed, a great family pet and good with children if he has grown up with them in the home. He is good with other pets. The fact that this is a small breed and that he doesn’t have excessive energy levels, means he is adaptable to city- and country living.

The sweet Lucas Terrier is a small dog breed that stands at between 25 – 30cm in height and weighs anything between 5 – 9 kg.

The chest of the dog is deep and low, the nose black, the eyes dark and almond shaped, the ears medium sized and floppy. The tail is traditionally docked, giving the dog an attractive, solid, compact look to it.

If you want your Lucas Terrier to become a parent, you can expect between 3 to 5 of the cutest little puppies. Spaying and neutering are an excellent idea health-wise if you don’t want your terrier dog to have puppies.

The weather-resistant coat of the Lucas Terrier is fairly harsh and is of medium length. While most Lucas Terriers are fawnish, cream, grey or black and tan, you also get a white one.

He does great with training and socialization and is an adaptable dog too, being happy to settle into life in the city or the countryside.

Temperament:

This is such a sweet, amicable, jaunty little dog, good with kids and always ready for a game. With socialization and training he is ready to get on well with everyone, as well as with other dogs in the house. It is no wonder that he is becoming so popular – he just gets on with everyone, and is eager to please.

The Lucas Terrier is generally well behaved as well and being quiet, gentle and calm indoors. Because he is a Terrier, he likes to bark quite a bit, but training and socialization can help with that. Training won’t be difficult as he is intelligent.

The Belgian Griffon is an affectionate pet and often establishes a strong bond with one member of the family. You’ll have your Griffon with you for about 15 years so make sure he is trained and a pleasure to have around.They are difficult to train, being somewhat stubborn so they are going to require patience. They’re sensitive too, and they won’t respond well to aggressive treatment.

They’re much more indoor dogs than outdoor dogs because they’re also vulnerable to heat stroke. They just want to come indoors and be with their human family, and when you do that for them, they’ll become a wonderful friend and companion to you.

Lively, playful, social and animated – the Lucas Terrier is such a pleasure to have around and will bring joy into your home. He is full of enthusiasm and will always be ready for a game or for a walk.

They are dogs who just love being around their human family, forming close bonds with them. They’re adaptable too and slot into different situations with ease.

Gentle, calm and obedient, once you let one of these sweet dogs into your home and heart, you’ll never want to be without such a loving friend again.

When you get your Griffon from a reputable breeder, you always have a better chance that he’ll be healthy. As it is, the Belgian Griffon has few hereditary health issues. However his dark eyes will have some genetic problems to contend with and he could suffer with progressive retinal atrophy. This is an illness which can lead to blindness

Other health issues to look out for are -

Syringomyelia – this is a neurological condition – an abnormality of the spinal cord – a disease which occurs more frequently in small breeds. It can cause your pet to endure a lot of pain.

Birthing Issues - these little dogs often have problems with giving birth, and a vet often has to intervene and perform a cesarean.

Your Lucas Terrier is such a robust, jaunty, feisty little dog and with excellent care from you he may be able to push two decades. With a healthy diet and exercise, you shouldn’t have to be at the vet often with this dog.

There are however, always common dog illnesses that even the most healthy dog can succumb to – ear infections, eye infections, bloat, cancer, hip dysplasia and others.

Skin Allergies:

Skin problems may seem mild, but they can bring a whole lot of frustration and pain to your pet. You’ve got to be careful because sometimes skin problems may be indicative of other health issues. Probably the most common cause of skin problems in dogs are allergies from parasites like fleas.

Bacterial skin infections are caused when your pet is bitten by a flea for instance and then he scratches and licks, breaking the skin and bacteria gets in, infecting the wound.

Yeast infections for instance could be found in the ear canal and around the anus. Infections like this occur in damp areas and also when other conditions are right. Yeast infections cause itchy skin with hair loss.

Skin infections are not to be taken lightly. They can bring a whole lot of discomfort to your pet and you will most certainly need to get him to the vet.

Food and Water

The Belgian Griffon will do well if you invest in high quality foods. You can make your own, but if you’re concerned about his health, it would be best to check what ingredients should go into his home-prepared meals to ensure he gets all the vitamins and minerals he needs.

If you want to go with commercially manufactured dog foods, check with your vet about wet- and dry foods. Your vet will help with choosing a food appropriate to his size and age. Always ensure that there is clean, fresh water available to your pet.

Exercise

Even though he is a small breed, he is fairly active and he will need his fair share of exercise like ball games and walks. Training and socialization are a must for him. You’ll notice that training isn’t particularly easy with this breed, and first time dog owners might not have the patience with him.

Exercise:

This little dog isn’t a high energy dog but he will need to have a daily walk over and above the games you provide him with. Giving him a walk will be stimulating for him too as it gives him the chance to see different things and sniff around a bit.

Grooming:

The Lucas Terrier is looked upon as a low maintenance breed and a low shedder. You will need to brush him twice a week to keep the coat lustrous and to remove loose hair. Hand stripping is a method used for grooming his double coat but some people prefer to have him professionally clipped.

Diet:

Feeding a dog should be a simple affair. All dog breeds appreciate a simple but nutritious diet as this avoids digestive problems.

The Lucas Terrier relies on quality food full of vitamins and minerals to ensure his health and longevity. True, commercially manufactured foods aren’t a wonderful choice, but there are some good ones and they do offer a tremendous amount of convenience.

However, you don’t just want to put a bowl of dry kibble in front of your pet night after night, so to add some tasty variety, boil chicken and brown rice or pasta along with some cooked or raw vegetables and add this to his dry kibble from time to time. It makes like a delicious kind of stew to add to the dry kibble.

You’ll see, your Lucas Terrier will have bright eyes, a wet nose and a wagging tail. He’ll thank you for sticking to a simple style of feeding that doesn’t come with unpleasant surprises to upset his stomach. Make sure he always has a bowl of fresh cool water constantly available.