How to Adopt a Brussels Griffon in the United States

Pet for Adoption6 min read

A family meeting an adult Brussels Griffon in a dog rescue's play yard

To adopt a Brussels Griffon in the United States, apply to National Brussels Griffon Rescue, the official rescue of the American Brussels Griffon Association, and check shelters and adoption listings near you, then expect an application, reference checks, a home visit and a fee. The rescue's fees run from $300 to $800 and cover a vet exam, spay or neuter, vaccines, heartworm prevention and a microchip.

The rescue says most Griffs it takes in come from families whose lives have changed, not from any fault of the dog. This guide explains where to adopt a Brussels Griffon, how the process works, what to ask about health and how to help a sensitive little dog settle. If you would rather raise a puppy, read how to buy a Brussels Griffon puppy.

Key points

National Brussels Griffon Rescue is foster-based and nationwide, so a foster can tell you how a dog behaves at home.
Expect vet, landlord and personal reference checks and a required home visit; the process can take a few weeks to a few months.
The rescue never ships its dogs and prefers adopters within driving distance of the foster home.
Ask about breathing, eyes, knees, teeth, skin and any neck pain before you commit.

Where can you adopt a Brussels Griffon?

Griffs are rare, so it pays to use several routes at once.

Ways to adopt a Brussels Griffon in the US
Route	What to expect	Typical cost
National Brussels Griffon Rescue	Foster-based, all-volunteer national network; coordinators match dogs with approved applications	$300 to $800, lower for seniors and special-needs dogs
Shelters and general rescues	Occasional Griffs and Griff mixes, often with less known history	Typically $50 to $300 (AKC)
Breeders placing adults	Retired or returned dogs; the breed club's code asks breeders to take back or help place dogs they bred	Set by the breeder; ask what is included
Owners placing a dog	Full history from the owner, if they are honest	Usually a modest fee

You can see Brussels Griffons listed for adoption and save the search to hear about new listings. Because adoptable Griffs are few, you can also post a Brussels Griffon wanted ad so owners and rescuers can reach you.

Is an adult Brussels Griffon right for your home?

National Brussels Griffon Rescue calls Griffs "Velcro dogs" that crave company, and says most are unhappy in homes where they are left alone for long periods. Think honestly about these points before you apply:

Children. The rescue will not place a dog known not to do well with children in a home with children, and the AKC calls the breed a poor choice as a roughhousing playmate.
Fencing. The rescue prefers homes with a securely fenced yard. Without one, the dog must be on a harness and leash whenever it is outside, and invisible fences are not accepted.
Other pets. In general the rescue will not place a dog in a home with other pets that are not spayed or neutered.
Heat. Like all flat-faced breeds, Griffs can have breathing problems in hot or humid weather, so plan on air conditioning.
Time ahead. The rescue says a healthy Griff can live 12 to 16 years, so even a middle-aged dog may have many years left.

How does the Brussels Griffon adoption process work?

National Brussels Griffon Rescue describes these steps:

Complete the adoption application.
The rescue checks your veterinary, landlord and personal references. References that do not respond can slow or stop your review.
A volunteer visits your home to see where the dog would live.
When a dog needs a home, the area coordinator searches the approved applications for a good match before posting the dog publicly.
You meet the dog, sign the adoption contract and pay the fee.

The rescue says the process can take as little as a few weeks or as long as a few months. It prefers to place dogs within driving distance of their foster homes. An out-of-state adoption is possible only if the dog is small and steady enough to fly in the cabin with you, at your cost; the rescue does not ship dogs.

How much does it cost to adopt a Brussels Griffon?

National Brussels Griffon Rescue charges $300 to $800. It says younger, healthier Griffs command higher fees, which help cover care for older dogs, and that it will reduce fees for seniors and special-needs dogs. The fee includes a vet exam, spay or neuter, vaccines, heartworm prevention and a microchip; a puppy too young to be altered is altered at the adopter's expense after six months.

Then budget for ongoing care: AKC estimates put food at $275 to $800 a year and wellness visits at $150 to $400, and a rough-coated Griff also needs regular stripping or clipping.

What health questions should you ask about a rescued Griff?

Breathing: does the dog snore loudly, struggle in warm weather or tire quickly on walks?
Eyes: any past scratches, ulcers or treatment? PetMD says the breed's prominent eyes are prone to injury.
Knees: any skipping or limping? Slipping kneecaps are among the problems the AKC says breeders screen for.
Neck and spine: does the dog yelp when picked up or seem sore around the neck? In a 2014 MRI study of 84 American Griffs, 52 percent had syringomyelia, many without signs.
Teeth, skin and ears: PetMD notes crowded teeth in the breed, and the rescue says skin and ear problems are common.

Ask for the vet records and any medication list, and take them to your own vet within the first week.

What should the first weeks with an adopted Griff look like?

An adopted Brussels Griffon resting on a dog bed in its new home

Many shelters describe a 3-3-3 pattern: about three days to decompress, three weeks to learn the routine and three months to feel at home. A sensitive Griff may need the slow end of that range.

Keep the first days quiet, with short walks and few visitors. Let the dog come to new people in its own time.
Restart house training as if the dog were a puppy; the AKC notes it can take toy breeds extra time.
Use rewards, not scolding. The AKC says Griffs do not respond well to harsh corrections.
Build up time alone in short steps.
Register the microchip in your name. The AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup shows which registry holds it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I adopt a Brussels Griffon?

Fill in an application with National Brussels Griffon Rescue, the breed club's official rescue, and watch shelters and adoption listings near you. Expect reference checks, a home visit and a contract. The process can take a few weeks to a few months.

How much is the adoption fee for a Brussels Griffon?

National Brussels Griffon Rescue charges $300 to $800, with lower fees possible for seniors and special-needs dogs. The fee covers a vet exam, spay or neuter, vaccines, heartworm prevention and a microchip. Shelter fees are typically $50 to $300, according to the AKC.

Can I adopt a Brussels Griffon from another state?

Sometimes. National Brussels Griffon Rescue prefers adopters within driving distance of the foster home and never ships dogs. An out-of-state adoption works only if the dog can fly in the cabin with you, and you pay the travel costs.

Will a rescue place a Brussels Griffon in a home with young children?

Only if the dog is known to do well with children; National Brussels Griffon Rescue will not otherwise place it in a home with kids. The AKC calls Griffs a poor choice as roughhousing playmates.

Do I need a fenced yard to adopt a Brussels Griffon?

National Brussels Griffon Rescue prefers a securely fenced yard but does not always require one. Without a fence, the dog must wear a harness and stay on a leash whenever it is outside. Invisible fences are not accepted.

What if I can no longer keep my adopted Griff?

Contact the rescue that placed the dog; the National Brussels Griffon Rescue contract requires it, and the rescue says it will always take a dog back. If you are placing a Griff you own, read how to list a Brussels Griffon for adoption.