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Cocker Griffon |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain <> Belgium -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Cocker Griffon |
| Cocker Griffons are intelligent little dogs that are easy to train. Eager to please, they learn quickly and will respond to praise and occasional treats. They are slightly sensitive and will not respond well to harsh criticism. The Cocker Griffon is good with children and will enthusiastically join in any games they want to play. He's also affectionate and caring, loving nothing more than to snuggle in your lap for some quality time and attention. The Cocker Griffon is a social little dog and very loyal to the family. These dogs have a tendency to bark, so get them used to a warning bark as young as possible and praise them heavily when they do what you want. The breed is relatively rare and hard to find, but if you're lucky enough to have one of these dogs, you'll find them happy, alert little dogs. |
History of the Cocker Griffon |
| The Cocker Griffon is a specific cross between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Brussels Griffon. Because the Cocker Griffon is such a rare little dog without much history, we can look to the parent dog for advice on their characteristics that can be passed on to the Cocker Griffon dog. |
A little of the English Cocker Spaniel |
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| The first Cocker Spaniel arrived in America in the 1620s, according to historical records. They arrived by ship, on the Mayflower. There were several years of breeding before the American Cocker Spaniel Club was formed, and they created the modern breed we know today. The Cocker Spaniel was designed to flush and retrieve game and was known for its soft mouth that did not damage game. They are very different from the modern English Spaniel from which they are descended. The Cocker Spaniel has a sensitive nature and can be shy if not socialized early. They are intelligent dogs who are eager to please, making them ideal for training. The Cocker Griffon benefits from the best of these characteristics, but be sure to buy from a reputable breeder for the best natural dogs. | ||
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| Standard of the English Cocker Spaniel | ||
A little of the Brussels Griffon |
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| The Brussels Griffon is a lively, active little dog that descends from the German Affenpinscher and the Belgian street dog to produce the Griffon of the 17th century. These dogs had rough coats. In the 19th century, they were crossed with the Carlin dog, which produced the smooth-coated variety. The breed was often seen riding in and guarding Belgian cabs. In the late 1800s, they made their way to show rings and their popularity grew. By the early 1900s, they were in demand by the Belgian upper class. The first Brussels Griffon was registered by the American Kennel Club in 1910. Over the years, they have remained a favorite as they make excellent pets. | ||
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| Standard of the Brussels Griffon |
Appearance of the Cocker Griffon |
| The Cocker Griffon can vary considerably in appearance due to having two different parent dogs. Even within a litter, some puppies will be different from their siblings. Some look very much like the parent Griffon bruxellois with its characteristic Ewok-like face from the Star Wars movie, while others are more like the Cocker Spaniel with floppy ears. They are available in a wide range of colors and have a small but sturdy construction. The head is rounded at the skull and the ears are kept low to the side and can be short or long. Their eyes can be prominent like the Griffon, or round and expressive like the Spaniel. Cocker Griffons are well-proportioned dogs with medium-length muzzles and black button noses. Their legs are short but elegant, and they have small, rounded paws. |
Temperament of the Cocker Griffon |
| The Cocker Griffon is an intelligent dog that loves to learn new tricks while reacting quickly to training. It's a playful, friendly dog, full of energy and eager to share your life and your lap. The Cocker Griffon has a slight tendency to bark, but early training can prevent this from becoming a habit. Teaching your dog to stop after a warning bark is worth your effort and patience. Not very aggressive, these small dogs tend to get along with most people and other dogs. A well-socialized Cocker Griffon is a well-adjusted dog, so immerse your dog as a young puppy with outings to dog parks and walks in your area. This activity will teach them to accept other humans and animals. They can become very dependent on you and don't like to be left alone for long. The Cocker Griffon is a cheerful little dog with a face full of expression and quite a temperament. You'll never be alone with one of these little dogs in your life. |
Needs and activities of the Cocker Griffon |
| Like most small dogs, the Cocker Griffon has a fair amount of energy and likes to stick its nose into everyone's business. They're busy little indoor dogs, but they'll still need a daily walk to keep fit. This will also help them to be sociable and outgoing. Meeting other people and their dogs will give them the opportunity to play games with other dogs. Keep them on a leash in unfenced areas, as they may be distracted by birds or interesting smells that could attract them. A walk around the neighborhood, a splash in the pool or a game of fetch or tug-of-war will keep your Cocker Griffon's energy levels in check. |
Maintenance of the Cocker Griffon |
| Cocker Griffon maintenance is easier than that of the parent dog, they seem to have a silky, often wavy coat, and are easy to brush and clean. A good firm brush will cope with any tangles and keep the coat looking beautiful. A bath is not necessary on a regular basis, unless they need it. Often, rubbing with a damp cloth is enough. Get your Cocker Griffon used to being brushed and shaken while it's still a puppy. Also, teach them to accept tooth brushing, as this will help them deal with it when they mature. Keep lessons short and give plenty of encouragement and praise for the things they do well. Clipping may be necessary if your Cocker Griffon has a long coat, so behavior training will be needed for this event. But normally, your Cocker Griffon will just soak up all the attention it gets from you, and will happily submit to ear cleaning and paw touching to trim its nails. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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