Brussalier
Hybrid Breed Description
The Brussalier is a cross between the Brussels Griffon and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing a Brussalier. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
Brussels Griffon
The Brussels Griffon is a small toy breed standing approximately nine to eleven inches tall at the shoulder and weighing between six and twelve pounds at maturity. Despite their diminutive size, these dogs possess a remarkably sturdy and well-balanced build with substantial limbs and a compact, square body structure. Their large, round skull features a distinctively domed forehead, and their face showcases one of their most recognizable traits: big, dark, prominent eyes that create an almost human-like expression. The breed has small, high-set ears that fold over, and their short muzzle gives them a somewhat flat-faced appearance, placing them in the brachycephalic category of dogs. One of the most distinctive aspects of the Brussels Griffon is their dual coat types. The rough-coated variety features a wiry, dense coat with longer, coarse hair that creates characteristic facial furnishings, earning them the nickname "the bearded dog" due to the distinctive beard and mustache around their face. The smooth-coated variety, also known as the Petit Brabancon, has straight, short, tight, and glossy hair without the facial furnishings. Both coat types can appear in various colors including red, black with reddish brown markings and a black mask, black and tan, and solid black. The Brussels Griffon moves with a purposeful, characteristic trot that belies their small stature, displaying confidence and self-importance in their gait. Their tail naturally curves over the hip, and their overall appearance combines an alert, curious expression with an almost comical dignity. The breed's facial wrinkles are abundant and deep, particularly over the forehead and face, adding to their distinctive and expressive countenance that many describe as resembling a small, furry gargoyle or even the Ewoks from Star Wars.
Key Characteristics
Brussels Griffons possess remarkably large personalities packed into their tiny frames, often described as having enough character for ten ordinary dogs. These dogs are highly intelligent, sensitive, and devoted companions who form exceptionally strong bonds with their owners, earning them the nickname "Velcro dogs" because they prefer to remain as close to their people as possible at all times. They thrive on constant human companionship and attention, making them poorly suited for homes where they would be left alone for extended periods. Their need for interaction is so intense that they can develop separation anxiety and behavioral issues when isolated from their families. The breed displays a confident, sometimes bossy personality with a distinct air of self-importance despite their small size. Brussels Griffons tend to bond most strongly with one or two family members and may be somewhat reserved or shy around strangers, though they typically warm up once they feel comfortable. They are alert and make excellent watchdogs, readily barking to announce visitors, though their diminutive size makes them unsuitable as guard dogs. With children, they can be impatient and may not tolerate rough handling, making them better suited for families with older, respectful children or adult-only households. These dogs possess a playful, energetic side balanced with periods of calm affection. They are intelligent and trainable but can display stubbornness and independence, requiring patient, positive reinforcement training methods. Brussels Griffons are sensitive dogs who do not respond well to harsh corrections or punishment. They generally get along well with other household pets including cats and dogs, though they have no concept of their size and may attempt to dominate much larger dogs. Their adaptable nature allows them to thrive in various living situations from apartments to houses, provided they receive adequate attention, mental stimulation, and moderate daily exercise of around thirty minutes.
Brussels Griffons are generally a healthy breed with a lifespan of twelve to fifteen years, though they are predisposed to several breed-specific health concerns. As a brachycephalic breed with a shortened muzzle and flat face, they are particularly susceptible to respiratory issues and can easily overheat, especially during hot or humid weather. Owners must be vigilant about avoiding strenuous exercise in extreme temperatures and ensuring adequate ventilation and cooling. The breed's prominent, protruding eyes make them vulnerable to various ocular problems including corneal ulcers, progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, and general eye injuries. Their large eyes require regular cleaning and monitoring for any signs of irritation, discharge, or injury. Syringomyelia, a serious neurological condition where fluid-filled cavities develop in the spinal cord near the brain, is a significant concern in Brussels Griffons, causing severe pain, sensitivity, and in some cases paralysis. This condition, along with Chiari-like malformation where the brain is too large for the skull, affects a considerable portion of the breed and requires MRI screening for breeding dogs. Orthopedic issues are also common despite the breed's small size. Patellar luxation, where the kneecap dislocates, occurs frequently and may require surgical intervention in severe cases. Hip dysplasia, though more common in large breeds, does affect Brussels Griffons and can lead to arthritis and mobility issues. The breed also faces dental problems due to tooth crowding in their small mouths, requiring diligent dental care and regular professional cleanings. Regular veterinary checkups, maintaining a healthy weight, and genetic health testing of breeding stock are essential for managing these health risks and ensuring the best quality of life for Brussels Griffons.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small, graceful toy breed standing twelve to thirteen inches tall at the shoulder and weighing between thirteen and eighteen pounds, making them one of the larger members of the toy group. These dogs possess a well-balanced, slightly longer-than-tall build with a solidly constructed body, moderately deep chest, and compact frame. Their movement is elegant and flowing, with a characteristic tail that wags constantly when they are in motion, carried happily but never much above the level of the back. The breed's head is one of their most distinctive features, with a slightly rounded skull, full but gently tapered muzzle, and large, round, dark brown eyes set well apart that create their signature sweet, gentle, melting expression. The eyes have cushioning underneath that contributes to their soft, endearing look. Their long, feathered ears are set high and wide on the head with ample length and feathering, fanning forward slightly to frame the face when the dog is alert. The neck is fairly long and gracefully set atop sloping shoulders. Cavaliers have a beautiful, moderate-length silky coat that is free from curl, though a slight wave is permissible. The coat features long, elegant feathering on the ears, chest, legs, tail, and notably on the feet, which is considered a breed characteristic. The breed comes in four distinct color patterns: Blenheim, the most common, features rich chestnut markings on a pearly white background with markings evenly divided on the head; ruby is a solid rich red; black and tan displays black fur with tan markings; and tricolor combines black and white with tan markings over the eyes, cheeks, inside ears, legs, and underside of tail. Some Blenheim Cavaliers have a distinctive chestnut spot on top of their head known as the lozenge mark, which is a unique and valued characteristic of the breed.
Key Characteristics
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are extraordinarily affectionate, gentle, and devoted companions renowned for their sweet, loving personalities and adaptable nature. These dogs thrive on human companionship and form exceptionally strong attachments to their families, making them quintessential lap dogs who are happiest when cuddling or staying close to their people. They possess a friendly, patient temperament that makes them excellent family dogs, getting along wonderfully with children of all ages, other dogs, and household pets. Unlike many toy breeds, Cavaliers show no tendency toward shyness or aggression, instead greeting both family and strangers with enthusiastic friendliness and tail-wagging joy. The breed's personality perfectly balances playful energy with calm companionship. Cavaliers retain their spaniel heritage and enjoy moderate exercise, outdoor activities, and games like fetch or chase, showing surprising athleticism for a toy breed. However, they are equally content to be couch potatoes, adapting seamlessly to both active and sedentary lifestyles as long as they receive adequate love and attention. This remarkable adaptability makes them suitable for various living situations including apartments, city homes, or country estates, and they fit well with active families, seniors, or first-time dog owners. Cavaliers are intelligent and eager to please, generally making training straightforward when using positive reinforcement methods. However, they can display an independent, sometimes stubborn streak that requires patience and consistency. As true companion dogs bred specifically for human companionship over centuries, they do not tolerate being left alone for extended periods and are highly prone to separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behaviors or excessive barking. They are sensitive dogs who respond poorly to harsh training methods. While they will alert bark when someone approaches, they make poor guard dogs, typically greeting intruders with friendly enthusiasm rather than wariness. Their gentle, loving nature and desire for constant companionship define the essence of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel temperament.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels face significant breed-specific health challenges that potential owners must understand. The most serious and prevalent condition is mitral valve disease, a degenerative heart condition that affects over half of all Cavaliers by age five and nearly all by age ten, making it the leading cause of death in the breed. This terminal illness occurs twenty times more frequently in Cavaliers than other breeds, causing the heart's mitral valve to thicken and deteriorate, leading to heart failure characterized by breathing difficulties, coughing, and exercise intolerance. While medications can manage symptoms, most affected dogs succumb within two years of heart failure onset. Syringomyelia and Chiari-like malformation represent another critical health concern affecting the majority of Cavaliers. The breed's skull shape can be too small to accommodate the brain properly, obstructing cerebrospinal fluid flow and creating painful fluid-filled cavities in the spinal cord. This extremely painful condition causes characteristic neck scratching, sensitivity to touch, head rubbing, and in severe cases, paralysis or loss of coordination. While pain management medications provide some relief, no cure exists. Regular MRI screening for breeding dogs is essential but does not eliminate the risk entirely. Orthopedic problems including patellar luxation (kneecap dislocation) and hip dysplasia occur frequently, affecting approximately fifteen to twenty percent of the breed and causing pain, lameness, and arthritis. Eye conditions are also common, including cataracts (both juvenile and age-related), progressive retinal atrophy leading to blindness, dry eye requiring lifelong treatment, and cherry eye. Cavaliers also suffer from primary secretory otitis media, or "glue ear," affecting up to thirty percent of the breed due to poor ear drainage from skull shape. Dental disease is prevalent due to crowded teeth in their small mouths. The breed's average lifespan is twelve to fifteen years, though the severity and prevalence of genetic health issues have led some countries like Norway to ban Cavalier breeding. Responsible ownership requires awareness of these conditions, regular veterinary care, and ideally, pet insurance to manage the high veterinary costs associated with this breed.
Important to Remember
Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your Brussalier may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the Brussels Griffon and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.