All About Bird Brabancons

Among dog lovers, small Belgian dogs are especially popular. Petit Brabancons are distinguished by their unusual appearance and excellent health, at one time they were considered the privilege of the nobility. The material in this article will be useful to those who decide to have a puppy of this breed. We will tell you in detail about where the Brabansons came from, how they look, what advantages and disadvantages they have, and also what are the main nuances of their content.

The history of decorative dogs with a funny appearance dates back to the 15th century. It was at that time that she was bred by breeders who crossed a Belgian courtyard dog with a German appenfincher. The first dogs at one time were captured on the canvases of artists of that time.

The animals had a different type of coat, and the one that more or less corresponded to the modern one was obtained by knitting small griffons with pugs. In addition, in the selection, according to experts, the papillon and kig-charles-spaniel took part. This explains the characteristic black and tan color, the absence of a tail and its rare curl.

In the 19th century, there were three types of brabancons: wirecoat Belgian and Brussels griffins, as well as smooth-haired bird-brabancons. The first Brabansons were small in size and were excellent Pied Piper. Initially, they lived in port warehouses, stables and houses of the poor. However, soon the animals were noticed by representatives of the royal nobility, who decided to make dogs with an unusual appearance their lively toys.

Aristocrats liked not only the original appearance of the Brabancons. The key point was the fact that these pets practically did not fade. And this, in turn, made it possible to preserve the beauty of outfits and expensive dresses, which was important for the nobility. Among the special admirers of decorative dogs was the Belgian Queen Maria Henrietta. It was she who began to actively popularize the breed of dogs with a funny appearance.

This was manifested not only in the popularity of animals among aristocrats. In addition, the breed began to advance as a separate species, participating in annually held exhibition events. It was the Queen that Belgian dogs owe to the fact that in 1883 they were included in the Stud Book of St. Hubert.

Unfortunately, aristocratic dogs began to lose their basic working skills over time. They became effeminate and weak, which was also facilitated by their crossbreeding with breeds of other breeds, which was carried out to improve breeding and to give dogs more decorativeness. Different dogs were used in breeding, which left its imprint on the character and appearance of the brabansons.

Instead of hunting rats and leading an active lifestyle, the Brabansons began to sleep on soft pillows for a long time, riding in carriages with their high-ranking owners. Many of these dogs had their own servants. The task of the pets themselves was to entertain the owners with games and warm people at night, for which they were taken with them to bed. Funny dogs especially liked lonely ladies who were disappointed in men.

A little later, smooth-haired griffons began to be sold abroad as elite and thoroughbred representatives of the canine family. And all would be well if fate had not endangered the existence of the Brabansons in that era. World War II caused a sharp reduction in the number of Belgian griffins, and miniature dogs were also threatened with extinction. However, it was the fact that the dogs at that time lived in the UK and the USA that saved the breed from complete extinction.

At the end of the war, breeders decided to restore the breed, although it did not work out in the form in which it was known at that time. This was partly due to the fact that the breeders wanted a certain renewal of the appearance of funny dogs. And already in 1963 the first standard was established for representatives of this breed. In May 2003, it was corrected due to the removal of disqualifications for certain colors, and since then the standard of dogs has not undergone any changes.

Bird birds came to our country from the USA in 1993, they were brought to St. Petersburg to the Nevsky Hobbit nursery, where they began to breed. These dogs became the ancestors of puppies that are sold on the territory of the Russian Federation. For 6 years of breeding in nursery conditions, it was possible to increase the number of animals to 85 individuals. Today these dogs are called by different names (for example, smooth-haired griffon, Brabant griffon or small brabancon).

The appearance of Brabant Griffon is unusual and very eccentric. For all its compactness and decorativeness, these animals seem fragile and weak only at first glance. In fact, they have a fairly strong physique and no less graceful movement. According to the regulation of the standard, the length of the body of the individual from the sciatic tubercles to the shoulders should be compared with the height of the animal at the withers.

The size of the dog is small: the height of adult individuals at the withers averages from 16 to 26 cm. In this case, the weight of an individual dog can vary in the range from 3.5 to 6 kg. As a rule, large dimensions and weight are characteristic of males, girls are more compact.Inexperienced breeders often come across the opinion that within the breed there is a division into standard class dogs and representatives of the mini category. In fact, the breed is single and does not have any fractions.

It is the head of the Brabancons that distinguishes them from other brothers. It is expressive, large and has a round skull. The skull is broad, the forehead is large and convex, the foot pronounced. Against the background of the head, the muzzle seems short, its length is quite small, although visually it seems longer. This is explained by the absence of the so-called beard (long coat in the area of ​​the jaws and chin).

Type of muzzle is upturned, if in dogs the upper edge of the nose is located under the line of the eyes, such an animal is subject to disqualification. A prerequisite for the exterior is the dark color of the lips, as well as a tightly closed mouth. The humanity of the expression of the muzzle is explained by the flatness of the muzzle, the nose of the animal is black, the nostrils are wide and open, the tip is somewhat flattened. When looking at the dog in profile, it can be seen that its forehead and nose are in the same plane.

The eyes of a small bird-brabancon enhance the effect of the humanity of a canine look. They are bolshevik, differ in a wide statement, are painted in dark brown color. Moreover, they are deprived of a bulge that gives other dogs the kind of underdevelopment that is characteristic of a similar body structure. Ideally, the edges of the eyes should be almost black, the protein should not be visible.

As for the skeleton, its shape tends to square, but this in no way affects the freedom of dog movements. Her gait is not without grace and naturalness. She is light and laid-back. The physique of a purebred representative of the breed is proportional, the ears are small, high set.

The tail of the animal must have a high supply, the standard allows its stopping at 1/3 of the length. An exhibition animal that is not subject to stopping should have a tail directed to the back, while not curled, but raised up. The dental formula of the animal must be complete, the lower jaw may have some curvature up. Usually the incisors of both jaws of a purebred Brabant dog form straight lines, they are parallel to each other.

However, the bite itself is not quite even: the lower jaw is slightly advanced. The teeth themselves are even and parallel to each other, the mouth is completely closed by the lips, the tongue fully fits inside the mouth. Lips lack meatiness, but may have slight pigmentation. The corners of the mouth are down, which makes the expression of the muzzle a sad look.

Brabant shorthair baby has a medium-long neck, proportional to the body. Its limbs are placed parallel to each other, their arrangement is wide. The backbone is strong, the elbows are located close to the body. Small paws are slightly rounded; they are not twisted, like other dogs. Paw pillows are dense and dark, the claws of these animals are completely black.

The hock joints have a normal set of paws. There should not be any profitable fingers on the hind legs. The hair of Brabancon is short, its length does not exceed 2 cm. The color of the animal can be different: for example, black tan with reddish or red marks, deer or mixed. Regardless of the type of color, the mouth of a purebred dog should be black. A characteristic feature of the color is the presence of a dark mask on the face.

The life resource of these pets is on average 12-13 years. However, a large part of the breed live to 15 years, which for these dogs is considered to be old age.Various factors affect life expectancy, including conditions of care and maintenance, as well as genetics and the timeliness of preventive measures.

The nature of dogs has positive and negative sides. The advantages include various nuances, for example:

• greater affection for its owner;
• the kindness that an animal manifests in relation to households;
• understanding of good relations from people;
• lack of vindictiveness or resentment;
• ability to accompany the owner on a trip;
• ability in training and education;
• excellent interaction of the animal with other animals living in the house.

Among the negative points worth noting:

• poor tolerance of separation from the host;
• refusal of food when the animal is sad;
• tendency to aggression in the absence of education;
• predisposition to skin diseases of individual dogs (a representative of the breed is often allergic);
• the complexity of childbirth (often they end with a caesarean section).

In general, these dogs can be great companions for people of all ages. They subtly feel the mood of their masters and can become favorites in large families. They love to play and appreciate human attention, trying to answer him with gratitude and good behavior. Despite the fact that they are not from a timid dozen, these dogs are by no means evil and do not conceal resentment if the owner behaves unfairly towards them.

Pets are very smart, distinguished by their self-esteem and can show a lot of emotions, which is liked not only by their breeders, but also by those around them. Sometimes the dog seems thoughtful, sometimes sad, sometimes funny or even radiant with happiness. They show a spectrum of emotions very actively, accompanying their thoughts with actions.

They do not cause much trouble on trips and trips, are accommodating and adapt to any requirements of breeders. However, homes without owners are very homesick. The fact that they are left with well-known people does not save the situation. These dogs show true loyalty and devotion to their owners. It is extremely important for animals to be part of the family, and therefore no one and nothing can replace them with a family, without which they consider themselves abandoned and useless.

When the owner is nearby, the dog is incredibly happy, he is obedient and enjoys every minute presented by a man. However, in the soul of a dog that loves to show affection for households, considers itself independent, it has a proud character. Living with a person for a long time, she is able not only to learn to adapt to his mood and emotional state. This little dog can adopt the facial expressions of a favorite breeder, becoming a reflection of the owner.

Despite the need for communication, Brabancon will not allow himself to be too intrusive, he will not get confused by the owners under his feet. While still a puppy, he will try to behave himself, pleasing the man so that the owner loves him. At the same time, the dog does not lose its protective qualities; if necessary, it will show its fearlessness, despite its funny appearance. In relation to other domestic animals it will also not be intrusive, but if desired, it will always support any game or undertaking.

Unlike his other brothers, Brabancon understands the master's jokes and does not respond to them with malice. He does not lose his playfulness and positive attitude throughout his life, and playfulness is not only manifested with adult households, he also loves children.Even at an old age, he will not deny himself the pleasure of playing with them, everyone is fond of the animal's indefatigability, it is admirable.

If necessary, the animal can empathize with its owner. However, if an inexperienced owner believes that the baby is just as friendly to others, then this is not at all so. Strangers to Brabancon do not have the same value as members of the family in which he lives. It only seems to the owners that the dog is good-natured: practice proves that often these dogs are very wary of strangers.

They do not like others at all, which they express with corresponding emotions and behavior. It is not difficult to predict: just look at the expression on the face. As for pets, the only species to which pets show a genuine hunting interest are small rodents. They do not touch cats, rabbits or birds, but they can chase after rats and hamsters.

Training and raising dogs is best started from puppyhood. In this case, the requirements of the owner should be consistent and logical. The curiosity of dogs must be directed in the right direction, since an unoccupied animal is getting stupid and can splash out its energy with unreasonable aggression towards strangers and everything that surrounds it. In general, these pets quickly understand the essence of the teams and willingly execute them.

They are very fond of drawing, and for this, training is an excellent occasion. The dog gladly fulfills the commands given to the public in order to once again receive praise from its owner. Representatives of this breed have an excellent memory, and therefore, as a rule, they remember a memorized team all their lives.

In training, encouragements are encouraged that spur the interest of the animal. The dog needs not just praise for the executed command. Given that when she learns, she behaves like a malleable child, she must understand the consequences of her act. And therefore, without some goodies and kind words that she’s done, you can’t do it.

It is noteworthy that these dogs do not show their authority to the owners and do not try to dominate all household members. In their hearts they already know that they are at the top of the hierarchy of their masters. However, if for some reason the animal allows itself even a small aggression towards the owner, such behavior must be stopped immediately so that it does not sprout. Any acquiescence and weak character of the owner can lead to the fact that instead of an obedient dog in the house will grow an uncontrollable imp.

Care for the bird-brabancon will consist in unconditional adherence to the basic rules: hygiene, walking, professional examinations and excessive love with attention and care. Given the length of the coat, caring for it will not be too much trouble. Even during molting it will not be littered around the house too much, as is the case with long-haired canine brethren. These dogs do not need slickers and a large arsenal of all kinds of care brushes. A brabancon coat does not need to be combed daily with special fanaticism.

Fur coats for dogs of this breed are not sheared, since there is no need for that. A comb will be enough to remove dead hair, dust and light impurities from the hair. Washing brabancons is often not recommended. Usually they are bathed as they become dirty, using special zoo shampoos for dogs with a short and smooth coat structure.

In the winter season, washing is undesirable at all, because the dog after it can catch a cold if the house is cool. In this case, experts recommend drying her hair with a hairdryer, choosing the optimal drying mode, which will not overheat the skin of the pet. As for the summer, it is at this time of the year that the dog is washed more often. And it's not even that the owner wants the animal to be perfectly clean.

The reason lies in the dirt that the pet carries from the street after each walk. It is important to understand that a dog is completely washed only if it is too dirty. After walking, it is quite enough to rinse or wipe her only paws. Its wool is not long, and therefore dirt from the ground does not cling too much to it. However, in bad weather or after rain, swimming becomes a must.

You need to teach your dog hygiene as early as possible, along with other rules that she must obey in the house. At the same time, visual inspection is not enough: the owner must monitor the condition of the teeth, ears, eyes and claws of the pet.

Both the puppy and the adult dog need to clean their ears, in which earwax constantly accumulates. It should be removed with a cotton swab dipped in a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. If signs of inflammation or redness of the auricles are detected, the dog is urgently taken to an appointment with the veterinarian. Under no circumstances can one self-medicate, since only the doctor makes the animal the correct diagnosis and prescribes the correct treatment. When treating the ears, do not swab too deep into the ears.

Eyes are cleaned regularly by wiping them with a cotton swab dipped in warm boiled water. If a sore throat or redness is detected, the pet is taken to the doctor. Teeth are cleaned to prevent premature appearance of yellowish plaque and tartar. In addition, caring for the cavity of the dog’s mouth will save teeth from early abrasion and pain.

For their hygiene, you can use a special brush and zoo, suitable specifically for dogs. Those hygiene products that a person uses are not suitable for animals. In addition to the fact that dogs do not like them because of menthol, these pastes can be dangerous to the health of pets if they get inside and are swallowed. Also, for oral hygiene, dogs can buy special cleaning sticks in specialized stores.

From time to time, dogs will have to shorten their claws, as they interfere with them when walking and moving. A special claw cutter reduces the duration of the unpleasant procedure, reducing the level of pet discomfort to a minimum. At the same time, the length is shortened quickly and painlessly.

It is generally accepted that pit-brabancons differ not only in their endurance, but also are able to tolerate different temperature ranges well. They do not overheat in the sun and do not overcool in cool weather. However, this does not apply to regions of the country with a severe climatic background. Nevertheless, healthier dogs grow where they have greater access to fresh air. Caring owners acquire colorful warm clothes and socks for their pets, which protect their paws from dirt and cold.

Since childhood, these dogs have been fond of walking on the street, and once a day it is not enough for them to splash energy. In summer, they enjoy swimming in shallow ponds, frolic in the grass and adore exploring the area. At the same time, they cannot be called hyperactive: their interest in everything has its own point of view.

You need to walk the Brabansons twice a day. At first, the puppy can be trained in a tray with a pallet. However, the dog should not misuse the need for a house for a long time, otherwise, with age, she will try to “carry her own” home. And this will add problems to cleaning and removing unpleasant odors.

Walking the dogs of this breed is extremely necessary, and not only to maintain good physical condition. They are important as an element of socialization, because these pets have little communication with their owners. They need to spend some time among their brethren.

For all its merits, decorative brabancons are considered food picks and often prefer to eat only what they like. Some of them are quite jealous of their own dishes. Therefore, it is imperative that they have it personal. Despite the fact that a separate category of breeders does not see anything wrong with feeding dogs from their plates, this cannot be done.

You need to feed the animal correctly, picking up a nutritious diet so that it is saturated with vitamins, proteins and nutrients. Thanks to them, the pet will grow active and cheerful. It should be borne in mind that puppies should be fed more often than adult dogs. On average, babies are fed about 4-5 times a day for up to six months.

Their portions differ from the volume of adult animals, they are significantly smaller and are designed so that the puppies eat them completely. A six-month-old pet begins to feed less often, but at the same time increasing its portions. By the year the animal should eat no more than 2-3 times a day. As for the choice of food for poultry-brabancons, it can be both industrial food and natural food.

If ready-made granular feed is selected as the basis of a nutritious diet, it is necessary to select it taking into account age and degree of activity. Also, you should buy food with a high meat content, which is typical for premium products. There is nothing useful in cheap feeds.

The size of the granules should be consistent with the ability to crack the dog’s teeth. Puppies, as a rule, take products with smaller granules. The feed should be balanced, consisting specifically of meat, not meat flour. The percentage of meat in the composition must be large, otherwise the animal will not be saturated with this food.

If you decide to feed your pet with natural food, you should especially carefully consider the choice of each element of a nutritious diet. For instance, meat for the dog is extremely important and should form the basis of daily nutrition. However, it should not be fat in any way; beef, chicken, turkey, rabbit will be suitable for feeding. You can give it to the animal in raw or boiled form.

If the decision is made not to boil the product, it is important to shorten the intervals of antiparasitic treatment of the pet. In addition to meat, the dog should eat chicken or quail eggs, fish fillet (from river or sea fish) and dairy products (for example, kefir and cottage cheese). Vegetables can be given to her in raw and boiled form. In addition, you need to occasionally treat your pet with fruit.

Do not forget about cereals and vitamin complexes for dogs. Along with maintaining a balanced diet, it is important to regularly monitor the weight of Brabancon. Excess should not be allowed, as this negatively affects health. No matter how the owner wants the dog to be well-fed, fullness cannot be assumed.

If the breeder feeds the dog granular food, its quantity per serving should be less than the equivalent weight of natural food. Industrial feeds are usually concentrated, and therefore less are needed to saturate them. Pet brabancons need pellets in packs designed for small dogs with a high degree of activity.

Few breeders think that after opening such a product begins to oxidize, which affects not only the taste, but also on the degree of suitability. The longer such food will be on the store counter, the worse it will be. The dog is small, and therefore it is better to purchase small packages of food for it.

However, with regard to water, then, on the contrary, with such feeding, more is needed. Moreover a bowl of fresh water should always be near the feeding placeso that the dog is not forced to look for it in other places. Water needs to be changed every day, or even twice a day. For drinking, water can be boiled and cooled. It is undesirable to take flowing from the tap, since its composition often contains salts of heavy metals.

You need to choose a dog while it is still small, turning to a trusted breeder in a professional kennel. The puppy's weight and size should be appropriate for his age and gender. You should not take dwarf individuals who are not part of the standard and may subsequently be disqualified. As a rule, mini-versions of brabansons may not reach more than 2-3 kg in weight.

In order not to make a mistake with the choice of the nursery, you can pre-scroll through the information about it on the World Wide Web, as well as ask at exhibitions about the honest name of a particular breeder. A visit to the exhibition will allow you to better get acquainted with the exterior of the animal and understand how it should look ideally. At the time of purchase, the puppy, as a rule, has the first rudiments of socialization, he learns to communicate with his brothers and sisters. At this time, he is already vaccinated and has the relevant documents (veterinary passport and pedigree).

The size of the puppies depends on their age. For example, at 3 months it can weigh 2.7 kg, at 4 months - about 3 kg. Some weigh 3.9 kg in 5 months, others slightly less - 3.5 kg. The average weight of a seven month old puppy is 4.5 kg. Crumbs weigh about 1.7 kg at 3 months.

An experienced buyer knows that the more ancestors a baby has, the better. In order not to be deceived, you can invite a specialist to the purchase procedure who needs only one glance to understand the conditions in which the puppy was kept, how developed it is, whether it is sick, what its exterior is.

You can’t buy a puppy from your hands, just like a baby without vaccinations, because it can be a carrier of various infections. When buying, you can focus on the external data of the baby, his confidence in communicating with brothers, and also the cost. On average, the price for a purebred puppy is 40,000-100,000 rubles. It is high because the breed is considered rare in our country. At the same time, puppies who buy for further participation in exhibitions have a higher cost.

Brabancon dogs have a high level of empathy, as evidenced by the reviews of their owners. If the owner is ill, the pet can be reconstructed according to his mood and be sad for the company. This is unusual, but very touching, which allows you to get close to your pet and understand that the world is not so bad.

Some breeders are confident that their wards are highly intelligent and learn teams literally on the move. Others note that dogs cannot live without general attention and care, and therefore become sick and sad when the owner is busy and cannot give them proper attention. Other dogs after training do not allow themselves inappropriate behavior and aggression towards strangers. Others are so kind that they trust many strangers.Also, the owners in the comments indicate that their pets don’t dwell on children and can play with them for hours.

For more information about the Piti Brabancon breed, see the video below.