The Official Kennel Club Breed Standard of the Griffon Bruxellois
(The finalised KC Standard with effect from 1st October 2009)

A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.

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 fairly large in comparison to body, rounded but in no way domed, moderately wide between the ears. Hair on skull of roughs rather coarse. Nose always black with large, wide-open nostrils and definite stop between muzzle and skull. Relatively short, wide muzzle, neat lips, with good turn up. Chin prominent, in roughs furnished with beard.
Eyes: Black-rimmed, very dark, round, clear and well spaced. Moderately large; size should be in proportion to size of skull. Alert expression.
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.

Body: Short back, level from withers to tail root, neither roaching nor dipping; deep; well sprung ribs; short, strong loin.
Forequarters: Chest rather wide and deep, legs straight of medium length and bone.
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 2009