The Standard for our Breed
			The English Kennel Club have this year, re worked quite a few of their Breed Standards, there are some proposed changes to the Griffon Standard, you can find them on the Kennel Club site at  http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/187    and below at right These Standard changes are to bring a focus to limit any possible exaggerations which when selected for to extremes may cause discomfort and lack of ability for dogs to live comfortable lives. As an example:  very very short noses with small nostrils may not function as well as slightly longer ones with larger nostrils.  Or heads that are so large in proportion to the dog, that the puppies must be born via caesarian.
		Griffon Bruxellois General Appearance: A cobby well balanced, square little dog, giving appearance of measuring the same from withers to tail root as from withers to ground. Characteristics: Smart little dog with disposition of a terrier. Two varieties rough coated, Griffon Bruxellois and smooth coated, Petit Brabancon. Both with pert, monkey-like expression, heavy for size. Temperament: Lively and alert. Head And Skull: Head large in comparison to body, rounded but in no way domed, wide between the ears. Hair on skull, in Roughs rather coarse. Nose always black, as short as possible with large open nostrils, high set, sloping back to skull with deep stop between nose and skull. Wide muzzle, neat lips, with good turn-up. Chin prominent, in roughs furnished with beard. Eyes: Black rimmed, very dark, large, round, clear and alert. Ears: Semi-erect, high set, the smaller the better. Mouth: Slightly undershot with even teeth, not showing teeth or tongue. Neck: Medium length, slightly arched, springing from well laid back shoulders. Forequarters: Chest rather wide and deep, legs straight of medium length and bone. Body: Short back, level from withers to tail root, neither roaching nor dipping; deep; well-sprung ribs; short, strong loin. Hindquarters: Well muscled thighs of good length, hocks low to ground, turning neither in nor out, stifles well bent. Feet: Small, thick, cat-like with black toenails. Tail: Preferably docked short, carried high, emerging at right angles from level top-line. Gait/Movement: Free with good drive from rear. Moving true coming and going. High stepping front movement undesirable. Coat: Roughs, harsh, wiry, free from curl, preferably with undercoat. Smooths, short and tight. Colour: Clear red, black or black and rich tan without white markings. In clear red, a darker shade on mask and ears desirable. Ideally each hair should be an even red from tip to root. Frosting on muzzles of mature smooths should not be penalised. Sizes: Weight: from 3.2-5kgs (7-11 lbs) most desirable 3.6-4.5kgs (8-10lbs) Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. Notes: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.					INTERIM (Breed Standard under review until June 2009) General Appearance: A cobby, well-balanced, square little dog, giving appearance of measuring the same from withers to tail root as from withers to ground. Characteristics: Smart little dog with disposition of a terrier. Two varieties, rough coated, Griffon Bruxellois and smooth coated, Petit Brabançon. Both with pert, monkey-like expression, heavy for size. Temperament: Lively and alert. Head and Skull: Head fairly large in comparison to body, rounded but in no way domed, moderately wide between the ears. Hair on skull, in roughs rather coarse. Nose always black, with large open nostrils and definite stop between muzzle and skull. Relatively short, wide muzzle, neat lips, with good turn-up. Chin prominent, in roughs furnished with beard. Eyes: Black-rimmed, very dark, round, clear, alert and not too large. Ears: Semi-erect, high-set, the smaller the better. Mouth: Slightly undershot with even teeth, not showing teeth or tongue. Neck: Medium length, slightly arched, springing from well laid back shoulders. Forequarters: Chest rather wide and deep, legs straight of medium length and bone. Body: Short back, level from withers to tail root, neither roaching nor dipping; deep; well-sprung ribs; short, strong loin. Hindquarters: Well muscled thighs of good length, hocks low to ground, turning neither in nor out, stifles well bent. Feet: Small, thick, cat-like with black toenails. Tail: Previously customarily docked. Docked: Docked short, high set, emerging at right angles from level topline. Undocked: High set, emerging at right angles from level topline. Of moderate length, curved gently over back when moving. Gait/Movement: Free with good drive from rear. Moving true coming and going. High stepping front movement undesirable. Coat: Roughs: harsh, wiry, free from curl, preferably with undercoat. Smooths: short and tight. Colour: Clear red, black or black and rich tan without white markings. In clear red, a darker shade on mask and ears desirable. Ideally each hair should be an even red from tip to root. Frosting on muzzles of mature smooths should not be penalised. Size: 3.2-5 kgs (7-11 lbs); most desirable 3.6-4.5 kgs (8-10 lbs).] Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog. Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. Last Updated - January 2009
	note about tails: Tail docking is now banned in Australia, the Club is working on the new wording section on tails, and this site will be updated once it is ANKC approved, it may read something like the following: "Emerging at right angles from a level topline, curving forward"