<P> The Griffon Bruxellois grew in popularity in the late 19th century with both workers and noblemen in Belgium . The first Griffon Bruxellois was registered in 1883 in the first volume Belgium's kennel club studbook, the Livre des Origines Saint - Hubert (LOSH). The popularity of the breed was increased by the interest of Queen Marie Henriette, a dog enthusiast who visited the annual dog shows in Belgium religiously, often with her daughter, and became a breeder and booster of Griffon Bruxellois, giving them international fame and popularity . Many dogs were exported to other countries, leading to Griffon Bruxellois clubs in England (1897) and Brussels Griffon clubs in the U.S. (1945 .) </P> <P> The First World War and Second World War proved to be a disastrous time for the breed . War time is difficult on any dog breed, and the recovering numbers after the First World War were set back by increased vigilance in breeding away from faults such as webbed toes . By the end of the Second World War, Belgium had almost no native Griffon Bruxellois left, and it was only through the vigilance of dedicated breeders (in the U.K. particularly) that the breed survived at all . </P> <P> The breed has never been numerous or popular, but had a brief vogue in the late 1950s, and now is generally an uncommon breed . There has been a recent increase in interest in the United States due to the appearance of a Griffon in the movie, As Good as It Gets, and also because of a general increase in interest in toy dogs . </P> <P> The Brussels Griffon is typically a small breed with a sturdy frame . The average adult Griffon stands from 9 to 11 inches (230--280 mm) tall, and weighs 8 to 10 pounds (4--5 kg). They have domed heads, short noses, and an underbite . Their human - like facial features are often likened to that of an Ewok . </P>

Breed of dog on as good as it gets