THE GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS
A series of 48 cards titled "Dogs A Series" was issued
by Gallaher Ltd. in 1936. The following is printed on
the back of the card: " The Griffon Bruxellois is of
definite Terrier type and is classified under four
distinct headings, the Black and Tan Rough, the Red
Rough, the Black Rough, and the Red Smooth-Coated
variety. The rough bearded types are especially
attractive. This breed has been known several hundred
years on the Continent, but for only about half-a-century
in England where it now has a strong following. Though
its orgin is obscure it clearly has something in common
with the Pug dog.
Brussels Griffon Card 1 (Gallaher, 1936)... $9.95 each
GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS
This is a nice photo by C.M.Cooke, noted photographer.
There are 48 cards in this series issued by Hornimans Tea
in 1961. Singly these card were enclosed in all 1/4-lb
packets of Hornimans Tea and were titled simply 'Dogs".
The following is printed on the back of the card: "Bred
in the stables of Belgium from Affenpinschers and King
Charles Spaniels for flat faces, Irish Terriers for
coats and possibly Pugs. The result is a little character
between 5 and 9 lbs. with a little monkey face and much of
the Terrier about it. Surprisingly strong and sturdy with
large round heads and very short black noses. Tail fairly
short carried high and colours red, black or black
and tan."
Brussels Griffon Card 2 (Horniman Tea, 1961)... $5.95 each
GRIFFONS
Pattreiouex 'Dogs' were issued in 1939. The cards were
enclosed in Senior Service Cigarettes singly in 10 packs.
There are some interesting facts printed on the back of the photograph.
"Griffons are Belgians. The smooth variety looks rather like a pug
but the Brussels Griffon has distinctive whiskers. Both
are intelligent, game little dogs, and good companions. GENERAL HINTS
MONGRELS. Many people say that mongrels are more intelligent
than thoroughbreds, which is a half-truth. People only keep
intelligent mongrels. Pure bred dogs which are bred for
brains and docility will usally be cleverer than intelligent
mongrels."
Brussels Griffon Card 3 (Pattreiouex, 1939)... $5.95 each
"SIMON" AND "DORA" (Griffons Bruxellois)
Wills issued these lovely drawings by Lucy Dawson in 1990.
The series is titled 'Puppies by Dawson- Reprint of 1940'.
Lucy Dawson gives a neat little story of the Griffin on
the back of the card. "I nearly stepped on a little
Griffon recently; such a tiny mite he looked, walking beside
his mistress in the West End of London, with all the
assurance of a Great Dane. I always feel that Griffons
should be able to see well, their eyes are so big and round,
and for energy and liveliness they are hard to beat.
Brussels Griffon Card 4 (Wills, Puppies by Dawson reprint, 1990)... $5.95 each
GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS
Wills Cigarettes issued this lovely card in 1915(no. 21)
in the '2nd series of 25'. The back of the card is quite
complete in the description of the Griffon. "It is said
that the Brussels Griffons of the present day trace their
descent from a breed of wiry-coated"red tarriers" kept in
the seventies by many of the miners of Yorkshire and the
Midlands. However this may be, it is quite certain that
the breed is of fairly recent origin, and did not come
into public favour until the eighteen-nineties. The
Griffon Bruxellois Club was founded in 1896, and the
Brussels Griffon Club some years later. The Griffon
Bruxellois is certainly the most handsome and most
important member of the Brussels Griffon family. He is
a compact little dog with a wiry red coat, a short, well
turned-up nose, large eyes, and a very prominent chin.
His ears are small, and his weight 5 lbs. and under
if a light weight, and 9 lbs. and under if a heavy
weight.
Brussels Griffon Card 5 (Wills, 1915)... $24.95 each
Quaker Oats issued this set of "Challenge of the Yukon" cards
in 1938. 'Sargeant Prestons' name appears in signature form
on the back of the card along with the following description:
"BRUSSELS GRIFFON as the name implies, comes from Belgium.
He is a Hardy little dog a toy breed. The roughness of his
reddish-brown coat, added to the quaint expression of his
face, gives him a distinctive appearance. He is rather aloof
with strangers, but has lots of pep, play and fun around his
own home and family. Name of Brussels Griffon pictured here is
Danny McDuff.
Brussels Griffon Card 6 (Quaker Oats,, 1938)... SOLD OUT
Godfrey Phillips issued this lovely set of cards
titled "OUR PUPPIES" in 1936. There are
30 cards in the set. The Griffon Bruxellois is No.8.
The following is printed on the back: "A quick-witted,
sprightly toy-dog, the Griffon is strongly made in
spite of its smallness. Its coat is harsh and dense."
Brussels Griffon Card 7 (Godfrey Phillips, 1936)... $14.95 each
Brussels Griffon Playing Cards
Sorry, we don't have any complete sets of playing cards. These were
from collections of antique cards and there is no way of knowing how
old they are or where one might find more of them. They are certainly
a part of Brussels Griffon history.
This deck of cards was produced in Japan several years ago. There
are several breeds in the deck and each breed is sold as a single
card separately. The Brussels Griffon in it is the Ace of Hearts.
