There seems to have been two versions on the history of the Griffon Bruxellois. One is that it is an old breed and points to a picture by Jan Van Eyck, painted in 1434 showing a small reddish dog resembling a Griffon.

The second is a painting, this time by Renoir and dated back to the 1870’s entitled “La Baigneuse au Griffon” shows a very small black and tan griffon.

The breed didn’t become really well known until the 1880’s when the Hansom Cab Stables used them as ratters. The cab drivers fell in love with their friendly personalities, thus they ended up on the seat riding beside the drivers, they soon became well known for their monkey faces and pert expressions. Over the years the Pug, Affenpincher, Ruby King Charles Spaniel and the Yorkshire Terrier made up the Griffon we have today. These little dogs soon became all the rage in Belgium and one was taken by Queen Astrid. During the 1880’s the ‘Club du Griffon Bruxellois’ was formed in Belgium, it was not until the 1890’s that Griffons were exported to foreign countries. In 1898 the breed was recognised by The Kennel Club and given registered status.