Papigriffon

The Brussels Griffon is a small, sturdy toy breed that attracts attention with its almost human-like facial expression and distinctive appearance. Standing approximately seven to ten inches at the shoulder and weighing between eight and twelve pounds, this breed presents a square, thickset body with compact proportions and good bone structure. Despite its diminutive size, the Brussels Griffon is neither fragile nor delicate, instead displaying a robust build that reflects its working heritage as a stable ratter in nineteenth-century Belgium. The head is the most distinctive feature of the Brussels Griffon and is somewhat large in proportion to the body. The skull is rounded with a domed forehead and features a deep, well-defined stop leading to a very short, upturned muzzle. The large, round eyes are dark in color, set well apart, and prominently placed with long black eyelashes and black-rimmed eyelids that contribute to the breed's characteristically expressive and almost human appearance. The small ears are set high on the skull and may be cropped or left natural, with natural ears carried semi-erect. The jaw is undershot, giving the face its distinctive pushed-back appearance. Brussels Griffons come in two distinct coat types that are identical in all respects except for the coat itself. The rough-coated variety features a wiry, dense coat that should be hard to the touch rather than woolly, with longer hair around the face forming a distinctive beard and fringe around the eyes and cheeks. The smooth-coated variety, sometimes called the Petit Brabancon, has a straight, short, tight, and glossy coat with no trace of wiry hair. Both coat types come in four accepted colors: red with a little black at the whiskers allowed, belge which is a mixture of black and reddish-brown typically with a black mask, black and tan with uniform reddish-brown markings, and solid black. White markings are considered a disqualification.

The Papillon is a small, elegant toy breed with a fine-boned structure that gives it a dainty yet sturdy appearance. Standing between eight and eleven inches at the shoulder and weighing between five and ten pounds, this breed presents a well-balanced and harmonious profile. The body is slightly longer than it is tall, creating a rectangular outline that emphasizes the breed's graceful proportions. Despite their delicate appearance, Papillons possess a surprisingly hardy constitution with adequate bone structure that allows them to be active and athletic companions. The most distinctive feature of the Papillon is its large, butterfly-like ears, which gave the breed its French name meaning butterfly. These ears are set on the sides of the head toward the back and are carried obliquely, resembling the spread wings of a butterfly when alert. The ear leather should be strong enough to maintain the erect position, and the ears are well-fringed with flowing hair. A drop-eared variety exists called the Phalene, meaning moth, which carries its ears drooping but is otherwise identical to the erect-eared variety. Both ear types may appear in the same litter. The Papillon's coat is long, fine, silky, and flowing with a straight texture and resilient quality that lies flat against the body. The breed lacks an undercoat, which means it does not mat easily and has minimal doggy odor. A profuse frill adorns the chest, while the back of the forelegs features feathering and the hind legs display abundant breeches. The plumed tail is set high and carried arched over the back with flowing, cascading hair. The coat color is always parti-colored or white with patches of any color, with symmetrical facial markings preferred and a white blaze extending down the muzzle. The small head is slightly rounded between the ears with dark, round, medium-sized eyes that convey an alert and intelligent expression.