Brussels Griffon health: what owners should know

Like other short-faced breeds, Griffons can have narrow airways and struggle in heat. The breed is also known for eye injuries because the eyes are prominent, kneecap problems, hip dysplasia, and syringomyelia, a condition where fluid-filled cavities form in the spinal cord, often linked to skull shape. Litters are small and difficult births are common.

Careful breeders examine eyes, check hips and knees, and in some countries scan for skull and spinal problems before breeding. At home, keep your Griffon slim, protect it from heat and check the eyes daily. See a vet for squinting or a cloudy eye, repeated scratching at the neck or shoulder with no skin cause, yelping when picked up, or noisy breathing at rest.