General Appearance
A "Toy Breed Dog", intelligent, alert, sturdy, with a thickset, short body, a
smart carriage and set-up, attracting attention by an almost human
expression. There are two distinct types of coat: rough or smooth.
Except for coat, there is no difference between the two.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size - Weight usually 8 to 10 pounds, and should not
exceed 12 pounds. Type and quality are of greater importance than
weight, and a smaller dog that is sturdy and well proportioned
should not be penalized. Proportion - Square, as
measured from point of shoulder to rearmost projection of upper
thigh and from withers to ground. Substance -
Thickset, compact with good balance. Well boned.
Head
A very important feature. An almost human expression.
Eyes set well apart, very large, black, prominent, and
well open. The eyelashes long and black. Eyelids edged with black.
Ears small and set rather high on the head. May be shown
cropped or natural. If natural they are carried semi-erect.
Skull large and round, with a domed forehead. The stop deep.
Nose very black, extremely short, its tip being set back
deeply between the eyes so as to form a lay-back. The nostrils
large.
Disqualifications - Dudley or butterfly nose.
Lips edged with black, not pendulous but well brought
together, giving a clean finish to the mouth. Jaws
must be undershot. The incisors of the lower jaw should protrude over
the upper incisors. The lower jaw is prominent, rather broad with an
upward sweep. Neither teeth nor tongue should show when the mouth is
closed. A wry mouth is a serious fault. Disqualifications
- Bite overshot. Hanging tongue.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck medium length, gracefully arched. Topline
- Back level and short. Body - A thickset, short body.
Brisket should be broad and deep, ribs well sprung. Short-coupled.
Tail - set and held high, docked to about one-third.
Forequarters
Forelegs medium length, straight in bone, well muscled, set moderately
wide apart and straight from the point of the shoulders as viewed
from the front. Pasterns short and strong. Feet round, small, and
compact, turned neither in nor out. Toes well arched. Black pads and
toenails preferred.
Hindquarters
Hind legs set true, thighs strong and well muscled, stifles bent,
hocks well let down, turning neither in nor out.
Coat
The rough coat is wiry and dense, the harder and more
wiry the better. On no account should the dog look or feel woolly,
and there should be no silky hair anywhere. The coat should not be
so long as to give a shaggy appearance, but should be distinctly
different all over from the smooth coat. The head should be covered
with wiry hair, slightly longer around the eyes, nose, cheeks, and
chin, thus forming a fringe. The rough coat is hand-stripped and
should never appear unkempt. Body coat of sufficient length to
determine texture. The coat may be tidied for neatness of
appearance, but coats prepared with scissors and/or clippers should
be severely penalized. The
smooth coat is straight, short, tight and glossy, with no
trace of wiry hair.
Color
Either 1) Red: reddish brown with a little black at
the whiskers and chin allowable; 2) Belge: black and
reddish brown mixed, usually with black mask and whiskers; 3)
Black and Tan: black with uniform reddish brown markings,
appearing under the chin, on the legs, above each eye, around the
edges of the ears and around the vent; or 4) Black:
solid black. Any white hairs are a serious fault, except for "frost"
on the muzzle of a mature dog, which is natural.
Disqualification - White spot or blaze any where on coat.
Gait
Movement is a straightforward, purposeful trot, showing moderate reach
and drive, and maintaining a steady topline.
Temperament
Intelligent, alert and sensitive. Full of self-importance.
Brussels Griffons / Toy Breed Dogs
