15-22 lbs
10-13"
United States
The Cocker Griffon is a small intelligent dog and is easy to train. Willing to please, they learn quickly and will respond to high praise and the occasional treat. 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 game they want to play. It is also affectionate and caring, loving nothing more than curling up on your lap for some quality time and attention. The Cocker Griffon is a small social dog and is very loyal to the family. These dogs tend to bark, so get them used to one warning bark only as young as possible and praise them highly when they do as you wish. The breed is relatively rare and hard to find, but if you are lucky enough to get one of these dogs, you will find them cheerful and alert little dogs.
Because the Cocker Griffon is such a rare small dog without much of a history, we can look at the parent dog for guidance on their characteristics that may be passed to the Cocker Griffon dog. The Brussels Griffon is a lively, active small dog that descended from the German Affenpinscher and the Belgian street dog to produce the 17th century Griffon. These dogs had rough coats. In the 19th century, they were crossed with the Pug dog, which produced the smooth coat variety. The breed was often seen riding in the Belgian cabs and guarding them. During the late 1800s, they advanced to the 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 companion pets. The first Cocker Spaniel arrive in America in the 1620s according to historical records. They arrived by ship, on the bustling Mayflower. There were several years of breeding before the American Cocker Spaniel Club was formed and they created the modern day breed we know today. The Cocker Spaniel was designed to flush out and retrieve game and were known for their soft mouth that did not damage the game. They look quite different to the modern day English Spaniel from which they derived. The Cocker Spaniel has a sensitive nature and can be shy if not socialised early. They are intelligent dogs who are willing to please which makes them ideal for training. The Cocker Griffon benefits from the best of these characteristics but do ensure you buy from a reputable breeder to get the best natured dogs.
The Cocker Griffon can vary greatly in appearance due to having two different parent dogs. Even in one litter, some puppies will look different from their brothers and sisters. Some look very much like the Brussels Griffon parent with its characteristic ‘ewok’ type face, while others are more like the Cocker Spaniel complete with floppy ears. They come in a wide range of colors and have a small but solid build. The head is rounded at the skull, and the ears are held low to the side and can be short or long. Their eyes may be protruding like the Griffon, or round and expressive like the Spaniel. The Cocker Griffon is a well-proportioned dog, with a medium length muzzle and black button nose. Their legs are short but elegant, and they have small rounded paws.
Maintenance of the Cocker Griffon dog is easier than that of the parent dog, they seem to have a silky coat often wavy in style, and it is easy to brush and keep clean. A good firm brush will cope with any tangles and will keep the coat looking great. A bath is not required on a regular basis, just as they need it. Often a rub down with a damp cloth is sufficient. Get your Cocker Griffon used to being brushed and fussed over while they are a puppy. Also, teach them to accept their teeth being brushed as this will help in handling when they mature. Keep lessons short and give plenty of encouragement and praise for things they get right. Clipping may be needed if your Cocker Griffon has long fur, so training on behavior will be needed for this event. But normally your Cocker Griffon will just soak up all the attention they are getting from you, and they willingly submit to ears being cleaned and paws being touched to trim their nails.
The Cocker Griffon is an intelligent dog who enjoys learning new tricks while responding quickly to training. They are a playful, friendly dog who is full of energy and wants to share your life and your lap. The Cocker Griffon has a slight tendency to bark, but early training can stop it becoming a habit. Teaching your dog to stop after one bark of warning is worth your effort and patience. Low on aggression, these small dogs tend to get on with most people and other dogs. A well socialized Cocker Griffon is a well-rounded dog, so immerse your dog as a young puppy with outings to the dog parks and for walks around your local area. This activity will teach them to accept other people and pets. They can become quite dependent on you and don’t like to be left alone for a long time. The Cocker Griffon is a cheerful little dog with a face full of expression and quite a character. You will never be lonely with one of these little dogs in your life.
Like most small dogs, the Cocker Griffon has a good amount of energy and loves to poke its nose into everyone’s affairs. They are busy little indoor dogs but will still need a daily walk to keep the fit. It will also assist them to be social and outgoing. Meeting up with other people and their dogs will give them an opportunity to play games with the other dogs. Keep them on a leash in unfenced areas though, as they may get distracted by birds or interesting smells that might lure them away. A walk around the neighbourhood, splashing in the pool or playing fetch or tug of war will keep your Cocker Griffon's energy levels in check.
Written by Kathleen Egger
Published: 10/26/2017, edited: 02/24/2021
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