Affenpinscher vs Brussels Griffon
Side by side
Affenpinscher
Brussels Griffon
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes4
Shedding
Holds loose hair until it is brushed or clipped out
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
A modest amount
Class
Lap dog
Lap dog
Which suits you
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Brussels Griffon lives longer: a median of 13.3 years, against 9.3 for the Affenpinscher.
Exercise
Plan for a moderate amount of exercise with the Affenpinscher, and a modest amount with the Brussels Griffon.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Affenpinscher: affectionate on its own terms; Brussels Griffon: a lap or leaning dog) and on independence (Affenpinscher: decides for itself; Brussels Griffon: cooperative, with its own ideas).
Alike
They are much the same size as adults, about 5 kg (11 lb) for the Affenpinscher and 4.8 kg (10 lb) for the Brussels Griffon.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
What they're like
Affenpinscher
Pinschers & molossoids · Small
In temperament the Affenpinscher is alert, self-assured and often clownish. It is devoted to its household but can be stubborn, and it will stand up to much larger dogs without hesitation.
Brussels Griffon
Companion & toy · Toy
In temperament it is a confident, self-important little dog. It attaches itself closely to its owner and is often reserved with strangers.
Breed traits
Day to day
Affenpinscher
Brussels Griffon
Activity
Differs
A good daily walk and play
Happy with modest walks
Intelligence
Learns readily, likes games
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Needs steady training
Needs steady training
With people
Affenpinscher
Brussels Griffon
Affection
Differs
Affectionate on its own terms
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Differs
Bonded to its family
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Affenpinscher
Brussels Griffon
Sensitivity
Differs
Average
Needs a calm, predictable home
Voice
Barks to alert, then settles
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Differs
Chases; needs managing
Usually fine with small pets
Puppy growth
Reference curves · both sexes
Summary
Detail
Both grow to much the same adult weight, about 4.9 kg.
Affenpinscher
Brussels Griffon
More comparisons
Compare the Affenpinscher with
Sources
- 1
- 2American Kennel Club. Brussels Griffon breed page. ↑
- 3
- 4Hawthorne et al., 2004. Body-weight changes during growth in puppies of different breeds. Journal of Nutrition 134(8 Suppl): 2027S–2030S (WALTHAM). ↑
- 5
- 6Morrill et al., 2022. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 376: eabk0639 (Darwin's Ark). ↑
- 7Dogs Trust. Finding a good, responsible breeder. ↑
- 8American Kennel Club. Screening puppy buyers: how top breeders find the best homes. ↑
- 9
Parts of this page were written by AI ·