No one who is well acquainted with the Brussels Griffon would claim that the breed dates back, like the Greyhound, to hoary antiquity, or, indeed, that it has any pretensions to have “come over with the Conqueror.”  The dog is not less worthy of admiration on that account.  It is futile to inquire too closely into his ancestry; like Topsy, “he growed” and we must love him for himself alone.

Even in the last fifteen years we can trace a certain advance in the evolution of the Brussels Griffon.  When the breed was first introduced under this name into this country, underjaw was accounted of little or no importance, whereas now a prominent chin is rightly recognised as being one of the most important physical characteristics of the race.  Then, again, quite a few years ago a Griffon with a red pin-wire coat was rarely met with, but now this point has been generally rectified, and every show specimen of any account whatever possesses the much-desired covering.

The first authentic importations of Brussels Griffons into this country were made by Mrs. Kingscote, Miss Adela Gordon, Mrs. Frank Pearce, and Fletcher, who at that time (circa 1894) kept a dog-shop in Regent Street.  Mrs. Handley Spicer soon followed, and it was at her house that, in 1896, the Griffon Bruxellois Club was first suggested and then formed.  The Brussels Griffon Club of London was a later offshoot of this club, and, like many children, would appear to be more vigorous than its parent.  Griffons soon made their appearance at shows and won many admirers, though it must be admitted that their progress up the ladder of popularity was not so rapid as might have been expected.  The breed is especially attractive in the following points:  It is hardy, compact, portable, very intelligent, equally smart and alert in appearance, affectionate, very companionable, and, above all, it possesses the special characteristic of wonderful eyes, ever changing in expression, and compared with which the eyes of many other toy breeds appear as a glass bead to a fathomless lake.

Griffons are hardy little dogs, though, like most others, they are more susceptible to damp than to cold.  While not greedy, like the Terrier tribe, they are usually good feeders and good doers, and not tiresomely dainty with regard to food, as is so often the case with Toy Spaniels.  It must be admitted that Griffons are not the easiest of dogs to rear, particularly at weaning time.  From five to eight weeks is always a critical period in the puppyhood of a Griffon, and it is necessary to supersede their maternal nourishment with extreme caution.  Farinaceous foods do not answer, and usually cause trouble sooner or later.  A small quantity of scraped raw beef—­an eggspoonful at four weeks, increasing to a teaspoonful at six—­may be given once a day, and from four to five weeks two additional meals of warm milk—­goat’s for preference—­and not more than a tablespoonful at a time should be given.  From five to six weeks