Intelligent, affectionate, loyal, curious … These are just some of the virtues that the Griffon of Brussels gives us. Definitely, this breed falls in love.

About ten years ago, seeing an Ewok walking by my side was the strangest thing.

I remember the people who were walking down the street at that time, stopping and hearing the children exclaim: Look, Dad! That dog has a beard !!

Fortunately, every day the Brussels Griffon is better known in Spain. An example of this is that a chain of stores in Spain has made a television spot in which a griffon appeared waiting in the arms of its owner, while the Star Wars soundtrack was playing off.

The Brussels Griffon is a small breed dog that usually weighs about 3 to 6 kg and, yes, it does look a lot like the Ewoks that appear in the Star Wars movie.

To find out more about its history: its origins date back to the 19th century in Belgium. These dogs were used to scare away rats that roamed in stables in Europe. In addition, they helped guard the house and kept its owners company.

This breed usually attracts a lot of attention for its monkey face. They have a very peculiar little face, with a flat nose (they are brachycephalic), ears attentive to everything and round little eyes that speak to us.

There are three varieties depending on the type of hair the specimen has: The Brussels Griffon, which has long, hard and red hair; the Belgian Griffon, with long, hard, black hair and, finally, the Petit Brabançon with short, reddish hair.

Obviously, the one that gives the least hairdressing work is the Petite Brabançon, for having short hair. On the contrary, the Brussels griffon and the Belgian griffon have to have their hair worked every few days using the stripping technique.

According to the FCI standard, the head must be large, broad and round, with a very short muzzle, a very marked stop and a black nose. The eyes are large, round and dark. Small ears are rewarded. The tail should not curl up, it should be set high and generally carried raised. Griffons have a prominent lower jaw (prognathism), but they should never show their teeth or tongue when they have their mouths closed, as this is considered a breed defect.

This breed has some care that should be noted. We must take good care of our eyes . As they are quite bulging, they are very prone to ulcers, so we must carefully monitor the ocular structure and check that they do not have transparent white spots, which can be a symptom of an ulcer. If our griffon suffers from an ulcer, it is very important to go to the vet as soon as possible so that it does not deepen, reaches the cornea and the damage caused may be greater.

Also, we must ensure that hairs are not accidentally introduced into the eye, since permanent contact can damage the eye cells and lead to keratitis or distichiasis (abnormal birth outside the usual lash line and rubbing them with the cornea).

Another important aspect to note is that the Brussels Griffon is quite delicate when it comes to heat stroke. Like all brachycephalic breeds, we must pay special attention in summer so that our pet does not suffer the dreaded heat stroke.

Regarding their character, it is important to note that they tend to suffer from separation anxiety, so those who are considering having a griffon should make sure that they are not going to leave their pet alone for a long time. They love company and pampering. Sometimes they can be fearful in front of young children. This, as always, will depend on how we train our dog. They can be scared by the noises, unexpected movements and games that they give them, but they are very good with them and, at most, what they will do is run to the opposite side. They have a very faithful character, they will not separate from you for a single minute. They will be your shadow.

Although love for pets is universal to all dog breeds, preferences do exist and vary due to individual tastes and other factors. In the year 2021, the most popular dog breeds are those falling under the toy dog category.

Lockdowns brought about by the pandemic have reiterated the value these animals bring to your life. Spending more time with them has left their owners a lot less stressed. Dog parents have enjoyed a plethora of activities with their pets during these times. The dog’s breed has influenced the types of activities.

Toy breed dogs have not come up short in this regard. Their diminutive size has not determined the fun and love they shower upon their owners. They’ve irrefutably demonstrated that they can perform the typical activities expected of dogs in their way.

Below are the reasons why toy dogs are the most popular dog breeds of the year:

1. They Are Friendly

Dogs are not called man’s best friend without reason. Their loyalty and friendly nature are without question. They are always running towards you when called and can’t wait to jump and greet you after you’ve been gone too long.

The fact is, though, that different breeds have different temperaments. Pitbulls come to mind when temperament and dogs appear in the same sentence.

Toy breeds fall on the nice part of that spectrum. They are very friendly in general, and at times, too much. And, they still pack quite the personalities. They will alert you of unknown persons while being affectionate with known ones.

1. They Are Easy To Maintain

Their small size is an advantage when it comes to taking care of them. They also enjoy the privilege of being carried around in the purse, something these dogs’ larger counterparts can never experience. Such easy portability helps kids enjoy their company by carrying them in their arms too.

They don’t require much in the way of food, giving you savings on that front as well (not that dog lovers count how much it costs to feed their dogs). They are easy to clean, and with their small footprint, they don’t leave much mess on the floor to clean.

The one downside could be shortness of breath and low tolerance to heat, like with pugs. But in times of lockdown, their being in a controlled environment of the house keeps them safe.

1. They Are Stylish

For some owners, their dogs represent their personality and style. You will find that such dogs get groomed perennially to look their best, with copious amounts of accessories adorned.

Toy dogs are famous for this and could be considered the progenitors of the “deck-out-your-dog” trend.

Their small size makes them seem cute, like a puppy that never grew up. This aspect is also a part of the appeal and why they’re found in online videos frequently.

Toy or otherwise, dogs deserve all the love they can get. Some might be the most popular dog breeds presently, but their need in people’s lives transcends all trends.

Dog training for dogs with anxiety can be a great way to help your dog cope with the stress of life. It is important that you understand the signs that indicate your dog may be suffering from anxiety, and how to handle them. You also need to learn to avoid situations that make your dog anxious, so that you can prevent a panic attack from occurring.

Avoid situations that trigger your dog’s anxiety

Fortunately, there are ways to help your dog cope with anxiety. One of the best is to prevent stress-inducing events from occurring. A dog can be stressed by a number of things including changes in routine, loud noises, and unfamiliar situations. If you can’t avoid every situation that might trigger your dog’s anxiety, you can train your pet to learn how to manage it.

To keep your dog’s mind off the source of their stress, you can try providing them with a little bit of excitement. By giving them a toy or puzzle to play with, they’ll redirect their attention elsewhere. Also, don’t neglect to exercise your dog. Exercise can help them de-stress and burn off excess energy.

There are plenty of other ways to help your dog stay cool and calm. This includes using distractions, counterconditioning, and even a little bit of medication. Lastly, you should always take your pet to a qualified vet when they show signs of stress or anxiety.

Anxiety in dogs is not an uncommon condition. Some common causes include changes in routine, unfamiliar objects, and a lack of socialization. Forcing your dog into a situation they find uncomfortable will only exacerbate the problem.

The best way to prevent your dog from showing signs of anxiety is to educate yourself about the symptoms. You can do this by paying attention to the physical and behavioural signs of your dog’s stress.

Train your dog to alert you before a panic attack

If you are suffering from anxiety, you may find that a dog can help you deal with the symptoms. These animals provide a soothing, comforting presence, and can also signal that you are having a panic attack.

Dogs can be trained to perform a variety of behaviors, and are also great company to boot. Several studies have shown that animal interaction can decrease stress, and can even be a therapeutic tool.

There are many ways to train your dog to alert you before a panic attack. First, it is important to understand the symptoms. A trained dog will be able to pick up on these subtle signs and notify you of your impending episode.

Next, you need to decide which behavior your dog will need to perform in order to alert you. This could range from a nudge to an actual paw on your leg. Keep track of these behaviors, and reward your dog for the appropriate behaviors. For instance, if you notice that your dog is getting anxious when you walk past a certain area, you can move to a more comfortable position.

The best way to train your dog to do a trick like this is to be consistent. You need to be able to identify the signs that your dog is getting anxious, and you need to be able to tell when your pet is actually having a panic attack.

Desensitize your dog to departure cues

When training dogs with separation anxiety, desensitization is a great tool. It allows your dog to be alone for longer periods of time without stress. However, it can take several weeks to train your dog to be desensitized.

If you are unsure of how to proceed, contact a certified dog trainer. Dogly Advocates offers step-by-step guides to help you through the process. They also offer live learning groups and unlimited support. Whether you need guidance on crate anxiety, community discussions, or understanding your dog’s fears, they are there to answer your questions.

Desensitization can be done by gradually exposing your dog to various departure cues. Start with the simplest of cues, such as opening the door, and work your way up. Your dog will be able to tolerate more and more of these cues as the process progresses.

A common pre-departure cue for many dogs is the jingle of the keys. This can trigger your dog to panic, so desensitization should be done slowly.

Another type of cue is the touch of the door. You can start with your dog laying down by the door. After a few weeks, you can begin touching the door.

Some of the most common departure cues are:

If your dog is triggered by putting on clothes, desensitize him or her to put on the coat or shoes. Practice this process with different types of clothing.