Though the breed was known in its present form by 1870, was exhibited in 1880 at the Brussels Exhibition, and was #AKC recognized in 1910, the first time a lot of folks saw a Brussels Griffon was in 1997 with the role of “Verdell” in the movie, “As Good as It Gets,” (that role was played by six different Brussels Griffons named Timer, Sprout, Debbie, Billy, Parfait, and Jill), but here’s a snippet of the story behind Jill’s breed.
It’s widely accepted that the Pug and the English Toy Spaniel were the strongest influence in creating the breed as we know it today. These self reliant little critters were widely used as ratters any place grain was stored, and that meant outbuildings, farms, and stables. One day, Belgium’s Queen, Marie Henriette, saw a Griff while getting into her carriage, and that was that. She visited dog shows in Belgium religiously, often with her daughter, and became a breeder and booster of the breed which gave the Brussels Griffons international fame and popularity.
Image of Marie Henriette with a Brussels Griffon found on Pinterest and happily credited upon receipt of information.