Dach Griffon

The spunky, cheerful, and bubbly Dach Griffon will knock you off your feet in an instant! This adorable-looking and an exceptionally charming designer dog was developed by crossing the Dachshund with Brussels Griffon. With a mix of genes from two small dogs with big personalities, it’s no wonder that this designer dog has a feisty yet charming character.

The Dach Griffon is a devoted and affectionate pet that will bond deeply with its owner. However, they’re not a calm, docile sort of velcro pooch – they have a fun, mischievous, energetic side to them. Their antics and knack for getting into (or causing) trouble will definitely amuse you to no end. If properly socialized on time, this hybrid makes a good pet for families of all shapes and sizes- from seniors and singles to families with kids.

Owing to their charming personality, adorable looks, and moderate exercise needs, the Dach Griffon makes a great pet for seniors and apartment dwellers.

While it’s certain that it wasn’t a stork that delivered the first litter of Dach Griffon puppies, there is no reliable information about the origin of this breed. It’s highly likely, though, that like the majority of designer dog breeds, the Doxie Brussels Griffon mix was created in the United States, sometimes in the last 2 to 3 decades. The popularity of crossbreeding has seen a surge in that period, and the origin of most hybrids is tied to it.

However, just because there’s little that’s known about the origin of the Dach Griffon, it doesn’t mean that these pooches are shrouded in mystery. The parental breeds of these adorable mixes reveal a lot about the hybrid itself. Both the Dachshund and the Brussels Griffon have a relatively well-documented origin- considering that they had its start in the 18th century. These two particular breeds were probably chosen with good reason by the original Dach Griffon breeder. If one had to venture a guess, the end goal was probably to create a charming petite pooch that had fewer health issues than its parents.

At the moment, none of the popular designer dogs or hybrid breeds is recognized by the American Kennel Club. As a result, crossbreed puppies can’t register for official pedigree papers with the AKC, and the only type of certification you can get for a Dach Griffon is from unofficial, smaller canine clubs. Even in this case of alternative certificates, it’s only possible if you buy a Dach Griffon puppy from a reputable breeder. In a good deal of cases, though, these puppies come through shelters or rescues, and there’s not much known about their family tree- apart from their parent’s breed.

However, if you stop to think about it, lack of paper doesn’t diminish the impressive ancestry of this hybrid. The parental breeds alone are more than enough to vouch for their qualities. The Dachshund breed has been refined through numerous generations from its start as a hunting breed in the 18th century Germany. These days, the short-legged cuties make excellent pets and companions. Similarly, the Belgian-born Brussels Griffon has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a farm mouser. The tiny, frisky pooches are now one of the more popular toy breeds! With such stellar parents, it’s only natural to assume that there’s a bright future ahead for the Dach Griffon breed, as well.

A well-balanced diet is a cornerstone of your pet’s health and wellbeing. Meeting their nutritional needs is a must if you wish to avoid many illnesses and issues that come with an inadequate diet. Luckily, getting a dog’s diet right is not rocket science: there are pet food brands and types for canines of all shapes and sizes. For a Dach Griffon, the best choice is premium dry dog food that’s tailored to their unique needs. This means you’ll need kibble that’s suited to their age (puppy, adult, senior), size (small), and activity needs (low to moderate).

Still, even when you find a high-quality kibble brand that your pooch likes to eat, there’s another thing you need to worry about. Small dogs such as the Dach Griffon are more prone to obesity issues, as even minimal weight gain can quickly burden their petite bodies. Limit your pet’s treats and make sure to follow the recommended serving sizes.

In case you think commercial pet food diet is not a good match for your precious pet, there are other options. A lot of owners decide on feeding a raw diet or cooking meals for their dogs. Of course, you shouldn’t make this switch without consulting a veterinarian first. You’ll need tips and advice on how to meet your dog’s individual nutritional needs on your own, and that’s not always an easy feat.

Since the Dach Griffon needs a bit more effort when it comes to its training, this breed is not ideal for beginner dog owners.

The Dach Griffon might one smart cookie, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that these dogs are easy to train. In fact, more often than not, these designer dogs can have a stubborn streak and be impatient during training lessons. Somehow, these puppies will find playtime much more interesting than learning about rules and manners! Nevertheless, with a bit of patience and extra effort, a Dach Griffon puppy can be successfully trained. They do have bright minds and will respond to teaching if they’re properly coaxed. Positive reinforcement method usually does the trick- a bit of praise and treats never hurt no puppy!

Ideally, you’d start with training and socialization from an early age. Begin with the basics, such as housebreaking and walking on a leash. From there, you can move on to more “complex” stuff, such as crate training or teaching commands. At the same time, try and teach your new pet how to act around kids and other pets- without exposure and socialization, they can grow up to be grumpy. Owing to the fact that the Dach Griffon needs a bit more effort when it comes to its training, this breed is not ideal for beginner dog owners.

Both the Dachshund and the Brussels Griffon are small dogs, so it’s to one’s surprise that their offspring is of compact build, too. The Dach Griffon can weigh between 10 to 25 pounds. A lot will depend on which parent’s genes are more dominant in the mix. The sex also plays a role- females of the breed are usually much smaller.

The cute and quirky appearance of the Dach Griffon might be what draws people to this breed at first, but it’s their personality that makes them truly fall in love with these hybrids. These dogs are extremely affectionate and loyal to their close ones. So much so that they often become velcro dogs. Following their owner on every adventure- even if it’s just a trip from the sofa to the kitchen- is their greatest pleasure. Unfortunately, this also means that these tiny dogs can be prone to separation anxiety. Unless someone’s always home with the pets, it’s best to crate train them on time, so they’d feel safe and comfortable while you’re at work.

While the sweet, loving side of the Dach Griffon is undeniably heart-melting, their feisty, spunky side is also very lovable. These fun, energetic dogs have a curious and often mischievous nature. Their knack for being silly or getting into trouble is quite adorable. And, once they realize you find their goofiness cute, there’ll be no end to it: remember, the Dach Griffon years for its owner’s attention!

One of the main reasons why people started creating designer dogs in the first place is the desire to create healthier versions of purebred dogs. Some breeders believe that crossbreeding leads to hybrid vigor and that their puppies have improved resilience and fewer health issues. The jury is still out on this theory, but the Dach Griffon definitely is a fairly healthy breed. Of course, a lot will depend on which parent the puppy favors.

If their build resembles the elongated Doxie with short legs, they’re more likely to have Dachshund-specific issues. These include intervertebral disc disease, epilepsy or diabetes. Alternatively, if they inherit the short, flat-faced muzzle of their Brussels Griffon mom or dad, watch out for problems all brachycephalic breeds have.

In addition, like all small dogs, the Dach Griffon can be prone to obesity and at risk of early tooth loss. To prevent this, make sure to brush their teeth regularly and monitor their weight.

Usually, small dogs that are provided with good care throughout life have a good life prognosis. The Dach Griffon is no different. On average, these designer dogs live from 12 to 15 years- even more, if you’re lucky.

Sure, the Dach Griffon has a lot of spirit and loves to play, but these are still small dogs. As such, they don’t need much exercise to spend all that excess energy. As a rule of thumb, these hybrids will need 30 to 60 minutes of daily activity. Usually, this means a few short walks around the neighborhood, coupled with a visit to a dog park or a game of fetch in the backyard. Since they’re not too demanding in terms of activity requirements, they are a great choice for apartment dwellers.

The Dach Griffon is also a very smart and curious pooch, so make sure you give them a way to exercise their brains, too. These hybrids will love playing with interactive toys and “solving” puppy puzzles. Make sure not to neglect their inquisitive nature- if you fail to give them a proper outlet for their curiosity, they’ll definitely get into trouble. More often than not, that trouble is closely related to chewed up shoes or ruined furniture!

The Dach Griffon is a devoted and affectionate pet that will bond deeply with its owner.

There are many smaller canine clubs and organizations that recognize designer dogs and hybrids. Those that recognize the Dach Griffon include the American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America, and International Designer Canine Registry.

Both the Dachshund and the Brussels Griffon come in various hair types: from short and smooth to wiry hair. In most cases, though, the types that are used to develop this designer dog breed are the version of the Doxie with smooth short hair and the Griffon with the wiry, water-repellent hair. In terms of their offspring’s appearance, all options are possible. While there’s a tendency for puppies to have a shorter, wirier coat, they can also end up with soft, velvety fur. They’ll often sport a scruffy, hilarious beard of their Griffon parent, too. In all varieties, though, they are moderate shedders and easy to groom.

As for the colors, everything from bi-colored coats to varieties of red, black, and tan are possible options.

It’s impossible to find a cuter bunch of rascals than a litter of Dach Griffon puppies! These naughty charmers are aware of their influence on people and will try to wiggle their way out of trouble with big puppy eyes. Don’t fall for it- assert yourself as the leader of the pack early on, and you won’t have many issues as they grow up.

Owing to their charming personality, adorable looks, and moderate exercise needs, the Dach Griffon is a great choice for apartment dwellers and seniors. Provided that they work from home or in a dog-friendly workplace, singles can also be perfect parents for this designer dog.

Photo credit: Elen Dol/Shutterstock; MFrans/Shutterstock; kocsik/Shutterstock