Griffonshire (Brussels Griffon & Yorkie Mix): Info, Pictures, Care & Traits

The Griffonshire there is a designer dog that has been around since the 2000s. It is the perfect mix between a purebred Yorkshire Terrier and Brussels Griffon. These two purebred dogs create a super spunky, intelligent, courageous, and affectionate dog that many people love.

Breed Overview

Griffonshires are an especially great breed for seniors and singles who live in apartments or small homes. Because they are small, they fit in great with apartment living, yet they are still active and fun enough to guarantee you some entertainment.

Because Griffonshires are designer dogs, they aren’t always the best dogs in terms of consistent personality results. This may not be an issue for adults, but those with young children may want to think twice before getting this sassy pup.

To learn more about the Griffonshire, read on.

Griffonshire Characteristics

Griffonshire Puppies

Because Griffonshires are designer pups, you will have to go to a specific breeder in order to find one. Luckily, this is a designer dog that is much more common and easy to breed. What this means for you is that you won’t have to pay as much for the Griffonshire puppy as you would other designer puppies.

Always make sure to purchase your Griffonshire from a reputable breeder to ensure ethical breeding and a healthy dog.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Griffonshire

Being a mix between two super spunky small dogs, it’s no shock that Griffonshire is very intelligent, sassy, and feisty. These dogs are specifically known for being extroverted, courageous, and unaware that they are super small. The term “small dog syndrome” may apply perfectly to some Griffonshires.

Despite being sassy and feisty, Griffonshires are known for being very affectionate and cuddly. In fact, these dogs do not deal with long-term separation very well. Many people like to describe Griffonshire as a “Velcro dog” because of its extreme attachment to its owners.

With this in mind, the Griffonshire is best for seniors or singles who are home frequently. This designer dog can also be a good family dog, as long as you don’t have young children in the house.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Griffonshires are considered super loving, courageous, and affectionate dogs. That being said, they do not make the best family dogs because they can be really sassy and feisty. Around children, they may snap very easily if the child does not know how to properly behave around the dog.

We would not recommend bringing a Griffonshire home to young children, though it would get along perfectly fine with older children who already know correct behavior around a small dog.

The best home for a Griffonshire is with seniors or a single. Seniors will especially like this dog because it is active and playful, making it super fun to be around, while still being small and low maintenance. The Griffonshire can get all of the activity it needs inside the home. Plus, seniors won’t do anything to accidentally aggravate the dog, causing it to snap.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Just as Griffonshires may not be the best family dog, they aren’t necessarily the best dog if you already have other animals in your home. Once again, these dogs do not realize their small size and will start picking fights with dogs much bigger than them.

Additionally, Griffonshires tend to be a little bit yappy if they see another animal, such as a cat. Even though the Griffonshire won’t be able to truly hurt most cats because of its small size, it certainly can create a headache-inducing and stressful environment for the cat and you.

Of course, you can socialize this breed early to give it the best chance possible for getting along with other dogs and animals. If you get a Griffonshire as a puppy, be sure to incorporate early socialization training.

Things to Know When Owning a Griffonshire

Owning a Griffonshire comes with some pros and cons. Depending on your lifestyle, the requirements of the small dog may fit perfectly. For example, the Griffonshire can be a perfect choice if you want a dog with very low exercise requirements. At the same time, you might want to go with another breed if you don’t want to deal with a lot of grooming and potential health conditions.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Because Griffonshires are so small, you do not need to feed them too much. Overfeeding will lead to obesity and a number of other illnesses that will make the dog’s life much less enjoyable. We recommend opting for a high-quality dry dog food brand specific for small breeds.

Your vet should be able to give you some recommendations about the best food and diet for your Griffonshire specifically. Since Griffonshires are a bit of a wild card, talking to your vet about its food is a great choice to ensure you give it the best diet possible.

Exercise 🐕

In terms of energy, Griffonshires are considered relatively active small breeds. They aren’t quite high energy, but they definitely are moderate. Luckily, Griffonshires are so small that it isn’t too hard to get as many play sessions in as possible.

The goal for exercising your Griffonshire should be to play for about 60 minutes a day max. You can do this by walking with the dog, playing with it outside, or gently rolling a ball inside. Once again, the Griffonshire’s small size means that its exercise requirements are much less strenuous on you, even though it does have moderate energy levels.

Training 🎾

One area where Griffonshires can be a bit of a hassle is in training. On the one hand, Griffonshires are incredibly intelligent and can pick up on tricks and training very quickly. On the other hand, Griffonshires are very stubborn and require the right motivation to actually listen.

House breaking and obedience training are a must with this dog. Even though they are small, they can still be annoying and aggressive to other people. Through proper training, the dog will learn important mannerisms and skills for socializing with you, other people, and other dogs.

Whenever you are training your Griffonshire, be consistent yet firm. At the same time, do not use negative reinforcement. Instead, use a lot of awards, treats, and praise in order to motivate your Griffonshire to listen.

Grooming ✂️

Another area where Griffonshires can be difficult is grooming. That being said, not all Griffonshires will need as much grooming as others. It simply depends on the parents that were bred together.

If your Griffonshire has long and silky hair, you will need to brush out its coat daily using a pin brush and a metal comb. In comparison, you will only need to brush your dog’s coat every other day or so if the coat is wiry. Some dogs will need frequent de-shedding or de-matting too.

Once again, you can talk to your vet to get advice about your dog’s specific grooming needs for further help and advice.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Yorkshire Terriers and Brussels Griffons are two dogs that are known to have some serious health conditions. As a result, Griffonshires have conditions to be aware of too. Providing your dog with the right diet and exercise will go a long way in preventing these conditions, but that might not always be enough.

It’s a great idea to talk to your Griffonshire’s breeder about the dog’s parents’ health histories. This can give you a good idea about your Griffonshire’s potential health concerns. If you selected a good breeder, the two-parent dogs should be healthy, resulting in a healthy pup.

Male vs Female

There isn’t much difference between male and female Griffonshires. Both in size and personality, they are very similar. It is up to you to decide which sex you want based on personal preference. Females may be slightly more expensive because they have breeding potential. That may or may not be a benefit for you.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Griffonshire

1. Their histories aren’t known.

Easily one of the most unique facts about the Griffonshire is that its history isn’t very well known. Unlike many other designer dogs, experts aren’t completely sure when or where this dog was bred. Experts do know that it was created in the United States within the last 20 years, but nothing more is known.

Especially given that the Griffonshire is a mix between two of the most loved purebred dogs, it is very odd that its original breeding was never documented.

2. They come with no guarantees.

As with many other designer dogs, there are no guarantees about the Griffonshire. In other words, we can make general claims about this breed, but it is likely that your individual Griffonshire will have a completely unique appearance, personality, or trait.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It simply means that the dog you get is completely special and unique. However, people who have young children may want to get a breed with a little bit more reliability and predictability. If you don’t have younger children, you should have no problem getting along with this wild card of a dog, though.

3. Their pedigree is a bit confusing too.

Traditionally, the Griffonshire is supposed to be a 50-50 mix between a purebred Yorkshire Terrier and a purebred Brussels Griffon. Some breeders like to go the classical route and ensure their dog fits this pedigree, but many other breeders like to crossbreed with other Griffonshires. As a result, the pedigree behind this breed can be a bit confusing.

Final Thoughts

Even though Griffonshire is not the best dog for families with small children, it is still a great breed. Its funky, sassy, and intelligent personality makes it super unique and fun to be around. We especially recommend the Griffonshire for seniors because the dog will keep you laughing without requiring you to do too much strenuous activity.

If you decide to get a Griffonshire, be diligent in selecting a reputable breeder. With designer dogs, reputable breeding is everything. If you select a breeder that is safe, reliable, and responsible, your experience with the Griffonshire will likely be wonderful.