The Petit Brabancon is one variety of the Brussels Griffon
breeds.
The Brussels Griffons were originally bred and developed in the
nineteenth century from the Smousje, a small ratting dog found
throughout Belgium. These dogs were used to catch rodents in Belgian
homes and stables, earning them the nickname of Griffon d’Ecurie, or
Stable Griffon. Originally, they were larger than the dogs we see
today. Although these little dogs had been around the area of Belgium
for centuries, their ancestry also included that of the
Affenpinscher.