brussels griffon puppies

[poohbear2907]

Hello, my name is poohbear2907.
I saw my first brussels griffon in a pet shop in the mall. I instantly fell in love with it. It was just out of my price range. I'm looking for a male puppy between the ages of 6-8 weeks old, red with black mask, smooth coat and the range of $200 to $400. I will even adopt one if it is in the age range I'm looking for. It will come to a good home. I all ready have 4 chihuahuas and they are all spoiled rotten and they all act like kids. So if I can find a brussels griffon it would be well taken care of and have plenty exercise and goods doggie pals to play with. Have a nice fenced in back yard that they could all play in. Can anyone help me find my new edition? I'm wanting one really bad! Thanks you, poohbear2907

[Swiftwind]

Hi, welcome to Global Paw!

I suggest that you either search around your local pounds/shelters or look at rescue sites online such as www.petfinder.com. I'm not sure how much luck you will have, though.

I just did a breed search and came across a Brussels Griffon rescue website, which is worth a look: http://www.brusselsgriffonrescue.org/ (I'm assuming you're from the US). Out of curiosity, how much was the petshop charging for the Brussels Griffon dogs?

[Cassiepeia]

6 & 7 weeks is WAY too young for a small dog like a Brussels Griffon to be away from it's mother. Do NOT buy from someone who will sell a pup so young.

For such a small dog I'd recommend 10 weeks be the youngest you get the pup. For the pup's sake.

Check out the American Brussels Griffon Association for breeders (check in 'breeder referrals').

Cass.

EDIT: Just so you know....pet shops are supplied by backyard breeders (small scale disreputable breeders) and puppymills only. No reputable breeders sell to them.

[DogLover8]

Welcome to Global Paw.

I would wait until the puppy is 10 to 12 weeks old. Six weeks is way too young for a puppy to be brought home.

[poohbear2907]

they were wanting at least $2,000 for it

[StephanieandTeddy]

Read around and you will find out that by supporting dog sales in pet shops, you are really supporting puppy mills and BYB's...No Code of Ethics breeder would give puppies away to a pet store in a million years.
A good portion of dogs bought in these stores also come with their fair share of congenital defects, illnesses and temperament issues...along with a hefty price tag!!

I will not buy anything from a store that sells puppies. They will not get my business. Thankfully, in my town, most of them have been put OUT of business.

Good for you for considering a rescue dog...That is definitely the way to go...You can also find breed clubs that can hook you up with a Code of Ethics breeder.

Good luck finding your new dog....those Griffons are lots of fun and have terrific little personalities!! Have you seen the movie "As Good As It Gets?" (Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt)...

[poohbear2907]

Yes, I have. I just didn't know what kind of dog it was. Thank you for all the info. I'm with you. I don't support puppy mills or backyard breeders. I was lucky enough to have been able to meet the breeder of my for little chihuahuas. She had a kennel and I was surprised at how clean it was. I was also lucky enough to find some brussels griffon breeders in my state. I have emailed all of them to get info on how they breed their pups. I am hoping they well help me in finding the right one for me.

[Cassiepeia]

Make sure they show their dogs. A reputable breeder of toy dogs should show their dogs in conformation. If they don't, don't buy from them.

Having 'champions in the line' isn't enough. They must be actively showing the parents (that doesn't mean they only breed 'show dogs' all the dogs are pets first and foremost).

Cass.

[StephanieandTeddy]

There were two of them at the beach today!! Both wire-haired...one was fawn coloured and one was a reddish colour....Such winsome little faces!!
The male reminded me of Chewbacca from "Star Wars!"

[poohbear2907]

I did ask if they had a website so I could at least look at the dogs on a website even though this is probably not enough though. They are 2from Merietta, Cumming, Buford, Gray. I'm not sure how to get to these places or how far they are from Bremen. I'm still waiting for them to contact me.

[Cassiepeia]

A great place to meet lots of Brussels Griffon breeders and owners is a dog show. Check out the national club to see if there are any shows being held near you in the near future and attend one. You'll be amazed by the great quality dogs there and you'll see the breed how it's meant to be. Plus it's a good way to talk in person with breeders.

I should just mention that the price range you're looking for is unrealistic for a Brussels unless it's a rescue. You're going to be looking at at least $800 possibly more for a pet quality puppy.

Cass.

[poohbear2907]

Are they not quality if they ask for a price around $200 to $600? The age of these dogs that are this price are around the ages of 5days to 6 months. I found these on the puppyfind.com. Do think I should trust these? Or do you think I should wait and see what these breeders from my state says? Most of the ones that I did find on this website the breeder said that they had a show champion in their bloodline. I'm knew at this I really don't know what to do or who to trust. But I do know one thing for sure I do want a healthy puppy thats what matters the most to me. Am I being to trust worthy! That is why I got one this website because I want to talk to people who have breed this breed for at least 30 yrs. or more.

[Cassiepeia]

Puppyfind.com is not a good place to find a dog. The majority of people on it are puppymills and backyard breeders.
Having champions in the line doesn't mean much unless the dogs actually being bred are being shown and are champions.
To give a human example....if my grandmother was a supermodel...an absolutely stunning woman...does that mean that I'm also going to be as good looking? Of course not. But I'd have a better chance of getting the 'looks' gene if both my parents were models too.
Or a less superficial example...if my grandfather was Einstein, that doesn't mean that I'll be a genius...but if my parents were also geniuses I'd have a better chance.
Make sense?

A short list of things to look for in a good reputable breeder (and if they don't have all of these things...walk away) are...

1. They show their dogs (for toy breeds like the Brussels Griffon, this is a MUST because they are not bred as working dogs). Dog shows are a way to allow an experienced and impartial third party to evaluate their breeding stock. If they don't show, they have no clue (no matter what they say) that their dog is structured etc...the way it should be.

2. They test for genetic health problems. This is not a 'health check' or 'vet check'. Thinking of it in human terms....if you go to the doctor for a simple check up, they'll make sure your blood pressure is good and various other simple things, but they won't test you for cancer or HIV or any other diseases.
Dogs need to be tested for genetic problems that they can pass on to their pups before they are even considered for breeding. A reputable breeder will want you to ask about this and be happy to talk to you about them and show you proof of the tests.

Oh and just to add to that last point...genetic problems may not show up in a dog until it's over 2yrs of age...sometimes they won't show up until it's 5yrs old or more.

3. They won't breed their bitches more than once a year. They're not interested in lots of puppies to meet demand. They're interested in breeding the best quality pups (good health, temperament and looks...in that order). You may have to wait for the perfect pup, but considering the dog will be with you for more than 10 or 15yrs, a bit of a wait is absolutely worth it.

4. They'll be very interested in you and want to know about you. They won't just say "sure we have pups, which one would you like?". That's a sure sign of a bad breeder. Reputable breeders want to match the right pup to the right person and they want to know who their pups go to (hence the reason they don't 'sell' via the internet...they do brag about their dogs online and let people know they have them...but they sell them only after they've met and gotten to know the person a little).

Wow, that as a long post. LOL I hope that helped you.
It is sad to say that there are more bad breeders out there then good, so becareful. And a lot of irresponsible breeders are genuinely nice people so they tend to 'trap' people that way. People meet them and think they're great people so therefore they must be great breeders....not so.

Anyhoo...you're doing the right thing, researching before you buy. I wish you the best of luck on your journey to find a little Griffon pal. They're amazing little dogs. You have great taste.

Cass.

P.S..Whoopsy, forgot to add. About the price of a pup...reputable breeders charge more than what you're wanting to pay because it costs a lot of money to breed dogs the 'right' way and this particular breed often needs C-sections to whelp(give birth).
Disreputable breeders will either charge WAY too much or WAY too little. Although if you go to a rescue you can find wonderful dogs who really need a new life desperately for around the price you're willing to pay (sometimes less). I rescued my boy and it was the best decision I've ever made. I highly recommend it, but of course I have no problem with people finding reputable breeders.

Now I have bored everyone with my endless chatter...I shall depart.

[StephanieandTeddy]

Also...the smaller the litter sometimes the higher the cost...(to cover health testing and pre-natal care, etc...)
You would probably pay a little more for a pup from a litter of 2 than a litter of 8...make sense?

[poohbear2907]

Yeah, thanks for all the info. It looks as though I'm probably going to have to wait now, because I got hurt at work and lost my job. I just kills me to have to wait because I really feel in with this little tyke and want one really bad. How do you put pictures on this web?