Dog
Group:
Toy 
Petit Brabancon Champions
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Pronunciation:
puh-teet brab-uhn-son
Breed Description:
The Petit Brabancon breed of dog is a toy sized breed of dog that should be slightly square in build. They should be very sturdy looking but still have a delicate appearance that is seen in their legs. The overall build should be compact and robust and the top line should be slightly sloped or level. The head is usually domed and the muzzle is short and brachycephalic, meaning pushed in. The ears of the dog should be small and half-pricked and teh tail is medium in length and usually docked.
The coat of the Petit Brabancon should be smooth, as opposed to the wiry coat of the Brussels Griffon, of which this is the same breed simply a different coat variety. The overall coat should be short but it should lay flat on the dog and be straight. There should be no wave or curl to the hair and it should have a natural sheen. The Petit Brabancon can be found in a number of colors including black and belge, red, and black and tan.
Temperament:
The Petit Brabancon breed of dog is a very sweet dog that is often described as being charming and clown like in their temperament. This is a breed that delights in making their owners laugh and they tend to approach life in a very happy way. The breed is very playful and while they are small, they have a surprising amount of energy. The Petit Brabancon can seem reserved with strangers but once they get to know someone, they are a very affectionate breed. They are not recommended for homes with small children since the Petit Brabancon can be snappy with young children. They are usually very good with other dogs but smaller pocket pets are not recommended with this dog since they do have a strong prey drive.
Height:
The average height for the Petit Brabancon is between 7 to 8 inches.
Weight:
The average weight for the Petit Brabancon is between 6 to 12 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Petit Brabancon breed of dog is considered to be a very hardy breed, however, there are a few health problems that owners should be aware of including Irritated Eyes, Patellar Luxation, Allergies, and Hip Dysplasia.
Living Conditions:
The Petit Brabancon breed of dog is a versatile when it comes to living conditions and they can live in both apartments and homes with yards. They should not live outdoors and do best when they are inside with their family as a companion dog. If they have a yard, make sure it is a fenced yard since the Petite Brabancon may chase after animals they feel is prey. In addition, the breed can be susceptible to heat exhaustion.
Exercise:
The Petit Brabancon breed of dog is an active breed that requires between 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day. Generally, two good walks will meet their needs but it is also important to give them an opportunity for off leash exercise as well.
Life Expectancy:
12 to 15 years
Grooming:
The Petit Brabancon breed of dog is a very easy breed to groom and they require little to no maintenance to keep their coats healthy. On average, you should expect to brush your dog on a weekly basis to remove dead hairs and dirt. A wipe down with a damp cloth will keep them clean and they should only be bathed when it is absolutely necessary. Ears should be cleaned on a regular basis and nails should be clipped once or twice a month. Their face and eyes should be cleaned on a regular basis.
Origin:
The Petit Brabancon breed of dog is considered to be a fairly old breed that was developed in Belgium. While the breed has become a companion breed, its original use was as a hunting breed that was used to hunt down rodents in stables. The breed is closely related to the Brussels Griffon and, in fact, they are considered to be the same breed with only a slight difference in coat and color. The breeds that are believed to have went into the development of the Petit Brabancon are the English Toy Spaniel, Affenpincher and the Pug. The breed quickly became a popular breed in Belgium and managed to find its way across Europe, however, the World Wars had a large effect on their numbers and the Petit Brabancon was close to extinction. The breed did manage to survive but it has never gained popularity and the Brussels Griffon is the more common and recognizable of the breeds. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
