Petit brabanson

History of the Petit Brabanson breed

The distant ancestors of all griffons lived in Europe back in the XV century. As a result of interbreeding, griffons have become owners of two types of wool: Brussels and Belgian can boast a stiff coat similar to the hair of an Irish terrier, and Petit Brabanson – smooth, resembling wool pug . One of the characteristic features of the Brabant Griffon is the upturned muzzle. It is easy to read the whole range of emotions.

Modern petit brabanson is a collective image in which there is a little bit of different breeds. By the way, that very unique muzzle – short, slightly resembling a monkey's – is inherited from the German wire-haired affenpinscher. But the elegant color of this little native of Brabant is obliged to cavalier-king Charles-spaniel .

The new breed so captivated aristocratic circles, especially crowned heads, that it quickly gained huge popularity. Its representatives lived in palaces, slept on silk pillows, rode with their high-ranking masters in carriages and even had their own servants. In those distant times, there was not even electricity, not to mention active pastime in our understanding, so the Petit brabancons entertained their aristocratic hosts with fun games for hours, and warmed them in their beds on cold nights. Especially the Brabant griffons were appreciated by single ladies who were disappointed in a strong field and already desperate to ever meet love. Funny and always positive, these dogs added color to their lives. In addition, griffons practically did not leave wool on expensive dresses.

It was soon noticed that petit Brabancons have an unusual "cat" hobby for dogs – catching small rodents. From that moment on, the cheerful companions of single ladies became irreplaceable favorites at the courts of the august personages. They were trusted to guard the royal chambers and carriages from rats and mice.

In 1880, the World Dog Show was held in Brussels. Despite the solid age of the breed, which by this time had already turned two centuries old, Petit Brabancons took part in such an event for the first time. The debut turned out to be successful: they won not only an enthusiastic ovation from the audience, but also high marks from the judges. So the breed began its ascent to true fame and recognition. But, as often happens in such cases, the pursuit of profit has made its own adjustments. Wanting to sell more individuals, negligent breeders increased the livestock to the detriment of the quality of the exterior of the royal dogs.

It is unknown how the fate of the Brabant Griffons could have developed if it had not been for Duchess Henrietta Maria Charlotte Antoinette, better known as simply Henrietta of Belgium. She was the eldest daughter of Count Philip of Belgium of Flanders and his wife Maria of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, niece of King Leopold II of Belgium and sister of King Albert I. At the beginning of the last century, she did a lot to rehabilitate the breed. Thanks to her efforts, the purity of the Petit Brabancon stock has returned to its former values.

After a while, the Belgian authorities allowed the sale of elite puppies abroad. Then the Second World War broke out, which put many dog breeds, including miniature ones, at risk of extinction. Unfortunately, Petit brabancons were no exception. The only thing that saved them from complete extinction was that some individuals lived in the UK and the USA. After the war, breeders joined in the restoration of the breed, and it was preserved. However, there have been some changes in its appearance, and in the updated "design" brabancons have reached our days. The breed standard was specified in September 1963, as well as in May 2003. The new appearance has become so familiar and loved by fans of the breed that many do not even imagine that small brabancons look any different than they do today.

Petit brabancons came to Russia from the USA only in 1993. The first specimens became the ancestors of the breed in our country, they began to be bred in St. Petersburg, in the Nevsky Hobbit nursery. By 1999, the total number of Brabant griffons in the Russian Federation was already 85 individuals.

Video: Petit brabanson

Appearance of petit brabanson

Petit brabancons are small, decorative, "ladies" dogs. Due to their small size, a deceptive impression may be created that they are weak and fragile. In fact, this is not so: the physique of representatives of this breed is strong. The appearance of the Brabant griffons is quite eccentric, it harmoniously combines the originality of forms and graceful movements.

The height at the withers of adults can vary from 16 to 26 cm. The weight of the natives of Brabant reaches indicators from 3.5 to 6 kg. The breed standard establishes the following important proportions: the length of the body from the ischial tubercles to the shoulder should correspond as much as possible to the height of the dog at the withers.

Many people think that there are such varieties as "mini" and "standard" inside the breed. This is not true. The Petit Brabanson breed is united, there are no "factions" in it. If there are some differences, they are insignificant and are related to genetics, the sex of the animal, the structure of muscle and bone tissue.

Head

The head is the most expressive part of the body of the Petit Brabanson, it is also the most characteristic, distinguishing it from other breeds. In comparison with the body, it is quite large. The skull is rounded, wide. The forehead is convex. The stop is clearly defined.

The muzzle on the background of the head is short, its length does not exceed 1.5 cm, while visually it may look longer due to the absence of the so–called "beard" - long hair in the area of the jaws and chin. The muzzle is upturned. If the upper line of the nose is located under the eye line, this is considered a significant defect of the breed.

Teeth

It can be said that the mouth of petit brabancons is always locked, that is, neither teeth nor tongue should be visible. The width of the jaws is also of great importance, the part of the chin that protrudes forward. A healthy individual should have a complete set of incisors.

The lower jaw has a characteristic upward curvature. It is wide and protrudes beyond the upper jaw, but at the same time it is not pointed. The incisors of each jaw should form a straight line so as to be located parallel to each other.

Eyes

The eyes of the Brabant griffons are distinguished by their large size, round shape, wide placement, and at the same time they are not convex.

The eye color is brown, and the darker it is, the better. The edges of the eyes should be black, ideally the whites are not visible.

Ears

The ears of the petit brabanson are small, set high, there is a sufficient distance between them. If the ears are not cupped, they will half stand and hang forward. The cupped ears are completely erect and "equipped" with sharp tips.

The breed standard equally allows both cropped and uncooped ears, although too large are undesirable for the reason that they will hang on the side of the head.

Nose and lips

The nose is wide, black, the nostrils are wide open, located at the same level with the eyes. The tip is tilted back in such a way that when viewed from the side, the nose and forehead will look like they are on the same plane.

Lips are also black, they fit each other tightly. The upper lip covers the lower one without hanging down. If the upper lip is excessively saggy, it spoils the human expression inherent in the representatives of this breed on the muzzle.

Neck

Brabanson's neck is of medium length, while harmoniously combined with the shoulders of the forelimbs.

Housing

The length of the body and the height at the withers are almost identical. This creates a visual impression of a small, but still strong dog with a characteristic square shape. The withers themselves are somewhat elevated.

The loin is short, slightly convex, with a developed muscular corset. If we talk about the back as a whole, it is short, straight and strong. The croup is also straight, wide and somewhat sloping.

The chest is well lowered to the elbows, it is also wide. The sternum is distinguished by a clear expression, when looking at the dog from the side, it seems that the chest is slightly protruding forward.

The ribs are not strongly convex, but they are not flat either. They are well sprung. The bottom line is formed by a slightly tightened belly. The groin line is clearly defined.

Tail

The tail of the Petit Brabanson is set high and raised up. At the level of two-thirds, it is usually stopped. If desired, you can leave a tail of natural length. In this case, it will be directed upwards, but the tip will "look" in the direction of the back, but it should not touch it or twist.

Limbs

The forelimbs are positioned parallel to each other. They are quite widely spaced, they are distinguished by a good backbone. The elbows are close to the body.

Paws are round, small, not turned inside or out. The wrists are strong, the fingers are tightly clenched. However, they should by no means be fused. The pads of the paws are thick, and the darker they are, the better. Brabanson's claws should be as dark or completely black as possible.

The hind limbs are located parallel to each other, they are distinguished by a strong backbone. The angles of the hind and forelimbs are balanced. The hock joints are characterized by a normal delivery, they are strongly lowered. The paws should be the same as on the forelimbs. On the hind legs, the presence of dewclaws is not allowed.

Wool

The coat of Petit Brabanson is shiny and short, barely reaches a length of 2 cm. In the area of the back, paws and muzzle, the hair is even shorter. The coat of the Petit Brabanson is very dense and has moderate rigidity. The breed is characterized by the absence of a brush in the area of the muzzle and eyebrows.

Color

A certain "democracy" is allowed in the color of the wool cover. Representatives of the breed can be completely black, black with certain inclusions (reddish, reddish and deer), as well as deer and mixed. But regardless of what color the Brabant griffon is, its muzzle must be equipped with a dark shade mask.

Possible vices

• Since petit brabancons are naturally square in shape, the elongated body is considered a deviation. The presence of a "bryl" also does not fit into the breed standard.
• There are certain prohibitions regarding the eyes. They should not be convex, excessively light, slanted or too small.
• A naturally short, broken or pronounced twisted ("ringlet") tail is a serious disadvantage. In addition, it should not touch the back.
• The presence of white hairs in the muzzle or sternum is considered a violation of the standards.
• The location of the nose is not at eye level, too large and rounded ears are classified as defects.
• Exceeded or underestimated parameters of height and weight are also considered a deviation from accepted standards.

Disqualifying vices

• If a wonderful, seemingly in all respects, pet behaves excessively shyly or, conversely, aggressively, then this is not just a vice – it is a direct path to disqualification.
• Such a defect as pigmentation of the nose of other colors other than black, or its complete absence, is also extremely undesirable.
• With the mouth closed, the tongue is completely hidden, and the upper jaw should not be protruding above the lower one – otherwise brabanson faces disqualification.
• Wool can not have islands of white wool or a color not described in the standard, for example, gray, brown-tan, blue-tan and liver.
• Any individual with physical and mental disabilities should be disqualified.

The character of petit brabanson

Petit brabancons are open and sociable pets, for them people's attention is in the first place. Representatives of this breed are strongly attached to their owners, becoming, thanks to their playful nature, excellent companions for all households, and first of all for children. The almost human seriousness written on the griffon's face makes them especially funny and cute. If they experience vivid emotions, it is also easy to read "on the face". You can observe joy, sadness and just thoughtfulness – just like people!

Brabanson is a nimble, extremely attentive dog, from whose gaze nothing escapes. She has developed a sense of self-esteem, which can be guessed in her very posture, in the way she surveys the surroundings. By its nature, this dog is not aggressive, does not know how to take offense and does not suffer from rancor. At the same time, the Brabant Griffon is distinguished by high intelligence and, as they say, knows its worth. Despite its small size, the dog is not at all timid.

Petit brabanson does not like it when the owners even go somewhere for a short time, so it's better to take your pet with you. If for some reason this is not possible, then you should leave the pet in the care of only people who are familiar to him. Otherwise, the dog may "strike", completely refusing to eat.

Representatives of the breed are curious, they practically do not bark and adapt very quickly to the lifestyle of their owner. Sometimes Brabancons prefer solitude, going to relax in a secluded corner of an apartment or house, where it is cozy and there are no drafts. Being house dogs, they like to sleep in the same bed with the owner, gently cuddling up to him. It can be very funny and at the same time touching to watch how brabanson approaches the cherished bed and begins to look incredibly sad with his eyes, begging with all his appearance to take him under the blanket. At the same time, he can whine softly, putting his head on the edge of the sofa or on the owner's lap. In such a situation, it is difficult for a brabantik to refuse a request – he expresses it so convincingly that it is impossible to resist.

The great advantage of this breed is that petit brabancons, being very smart and quick-witted, are able to subtly feel the mood of the owner and the general situation in the house, so if the situation does not have, then they will not bother too much with requests and caresses.

Griffon, by nature very sociable, will be glad to have guests. The dog loves the attention of the public and will do everything to charm the relatives and friends of the owners. The pet will show sincere affection and interest, will try to pay attention to each person, but it will not intrusively get in the way and interfere with communication.

Training and education

Despite the natural delicacy and developed intelligence, Petit Brabancons still need good upbringing from an early age. All the qualities inherent in them need to be developed, and how successful this process will be depends only on the owner.

The intelligence of the Brabant Griffon will be a good help during training. The main thing is to teach him to obey the memorized commands to the starting (necessary) signal. The training of puppies of this breed allows for some variety in terms of execution options. For example, discipline-related commands should be clear. Other teams leave your pet the opportunity to think and take the initiative himself. The first group includes the command "To me!". Without exaggeration, it can be called vital, because it allows you to stop Petit Brabanson at those moments when something can clearly threaten his life and safety - for example, when he joyfully runs towards a driving car. The commands of the second type include "Walk!". In this case, although the order comes from the owner, brabanson himself leads him wherever he wants.

During training, it is necessary to ensure that the puppy learns: the command, as a certain signal, should lead to a clear result for him. For example, a kid should understand that if he correctly executes commands, then he is waiting for a delicious treat and praise, but not ignoring or, even worse, physical punishment, even if light, in the form of a slap.

When raising brabanson, we must not forget that, although small, he is a predator. All manifestations of aggression, the desire to bite or attack should be stopped at the root, so that an uncontrollable dog does not grow. Representatives of this breed can participate in agility.

Competent training, taking into account all these nuances, will save you from difficulties in the future and at the same time help you build a trusting relationship with your pet. Educated and trained Petit Brabanson will surprise the owner more than once with his intelligence and resourcefulness.

Care and maintenance

Petit brabancons do not belong to "street" dogs, so life in a yard box is not for them. These small companion dogs should be kept in a city apartment. A private house is also suitable, but only if it is cozy, warm and draughty. Brabanson can be taught to go to the toilet "like a cat", that is, in a pallet. However, this does not eliminate the need to take your pet for a daily walk. Staying outdoors is necessary for griffons to keep themselves in good physical shape and is good for their mental health. Given the natural sociability, communication with other dogs is vital, and it is possible mainly during walks.

The Brabant Griffon does not need specific care: it is enough to comb the dog every day. Bath procedures should be arranged only as they become dirty. After bathing a pet, you should not leave the wool to dry by itself, it is better to dry it with a hairdryer so that the griffon does not freeze and does not catch a cold. For the same reason, it is not recommended to bathe it in winter.

Brabanson's ears need regular cleaning 1 time a week. For this purpose, a conventional 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide is used. In the process of processing the auricles, you should not penetrate deeply. In cases where an unpleasant smell is felt from the ears or dark crusts appear on their inner side, and the dog will "fidget" when cleaning, you should immediately contact a veterinarian. Such phenomena may indicate the beginning of a serious illness, which will be eliminated by properly selected treatment and good care.

Difficulties may arise with feeding petit brabanson, since he is quite fastidious and will eat only those foods that he loves. It is recommended to immediately buy a special bowl for the pet on the bracket to adjust it as the dog grows to maintain posture. It is important to follow the diet, give food at about the same time, do not overfeed the griffon. Up to 6 months of age, puppies are fed fractional, 4-5 times a day, and then gradually reduce the number of meals to two.

If you plan to feed petit brabanson with natural products, include in the diet:

• lean meat (veal, turkey, lamb),
• porridge (rice, buckwheat, oatmeal),
• fruits and vegetables,
• eggs,
• boneless fish fillet,
• cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt.

Be sure to add vitamin and mineral complexes to the main menu and monitor the weight of brabanson.

However, the vast majority of breeders of Brabant griffons make a choice in favor of ready-made dry food. Super premium and holistic products are fully balanced in composition and do not require the purchase of additional dietary supplements. Petit brabancons are ideally suited for "drying" for small, active breeds.

Health and diseases of Petit brabancons

Petit Brabanson refers to breeds that can boast of good health and a fairly long lifespan. However, this does not relieve dogs of risk factors that can lead to a deterioration in well-being. Let's call them: improper care and feeding, neglect of prevention, contact with sick animals.

As a rule, brabansons do not suffer from allergic diseases, but they are characterized by congenital pathologies of the eyes and teeth due to the peculiarities of the structure of the skull. Here is a complete list of these ailments: retinal atrophy (can also occur due to trauma, sometimes complicated by visual impairment and partial blindness); proptosis (loss of the eyeball, which is a problem of all snub-nosed dogs, owners of a round skull); distichiasis (clustering of cilia); inversion of the eyelid; non-loss of baby teeth; cleft palate. The same list includes narrowing of the nostrils, a tendency to various viral, skin and fungal diseases, dislocation of the kneecap. It should be noted that dogs of this breed have difficult childbirth; they are prone to obesity.

In order to avoid many health problems, little brabanson needs timely vaccination. The first vaccination should be given to a puppy aged 2 to 2.5 months. Before this procedure, it will be necessary to drive worms out of the body. Complex vaccinations are optimal, allowing you to protect your pet from several diseases at once. After a month, it is necessary to re-vaccinate the puppy. After another 7 months, he should receive a rabies vaccination. Until the baby is fully vaccinated, you need to try to protect him from contact with unvaccinated dogs.

How to choose a puppy

If a petit brabanson puppy is healthy and has no congenital anomalies, he behaves actively, shows curiosity. Potential buyers should be alerted by sluggish behavior and generally painful appearance. The same applies to secretions from the puppy's eyes or nose, dirty fur or a combed stomach, not to mention the presence of parasites. The purchase of such a copy should be abandoned without hesitation.

Some people are ready to buy a sick puppy in the hope of curing it, especially since breeders offer such individuals at a reduced cost. One should not be seduced and not succumb to such tricks! The cost of treatment can be so significant that it will exceed the cost of a healthy puppy.

When choosing a future pet, buyers want to determine what the quality of its fur will be in adulthood. The task is extremely difficult, but you definitely need to pay attention to the color. For petit brabancons, a bright color is characteristic from birth.

Potential owners often wonder: at what age can you buy a puppy of this breed? It is better to choose those who are already 2.5-3 months old. Usually by this age, breeders already give the baby 1-2 vaccinations. But to find out for sure, be sure to check the information with the seller.

The price of petit brabanson

The price of petit brabanson is influenced by many components, ranging from the degree of pedigree of the puppy and the severity of prospects at exhibitions and ending with the possibilities of breeding.

The average price of a Brabant Griffon puppy is from $300 to $800. The cost of show-class brabancons can reach $1000.