Moscow Guard dog vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison

Moscow Guard dog is originated from Russia but Belgian Griffon is originated from Belgium. Moscow Guard dog may grow 48 cm / 19 inches higher than Belgian Griffon. Moscow Guard dog may weigh 62 kg / 137 pounds more than Belgian Griffon. Moscow Guard dog may live 4 years less than Belgian Griffon. Moscow Guard dog may have more litter size than Belgian Griffon. Both Moscow Guard dog and Belgian Griffon requires Moderate maintenance.

History

Looking much like the Saint Bernard, the Moscow Guard Dog or Moscow Watchdog is large, descending from quite a few giant breeds such as the Saint Bernard, different Russian Hounds and the Caucasian Ovtcharka.

The dog has a gentle temperament. Known also as a gentle giant, the Moscow Guard Dog was developed in the Soviet Union and is fairly common in its native country.

The first US-born litter of Moscow Guard Dogs was born in 2015. The Moscow Watchdog hasn’t yet been recognized by the AKC.

belgian griffon - historyThe Belgian Griffon isn’t your most attractive dog, but maybe its his quirky, gremlin looks that makes him such an adored pet for many. There are different varieties of Griffon, and the Belgian- and Brussels Griffon are one and the same. All small Belgian dogs have the same breed standards, with the Belgian having a rough coat The dog hails from Belguim and its ancestors were no doubt a mix of the Belgian street dog, the Stable Griffon and the Affenpinscher.

Later on in the 1800s, this combination was then crossed with the Pug, giving the dog the brachycephalic or flat faced look.

Unfortunately no written records were kept about the precise origin of this breed, but there is also the idea that the King Charles- and English Toy Spaniel were also involved in its development. These small dogs were bred to catch rats in the barns of European estates.

Description

The Moscow Watchdog is a large mastiff-type dog. He stands at between 64 and 69cm in height ad weighs in the region of 45 – 68kg. He has a thick coat which is medium length, he has floppy ears and a long, plumed tail. The most common colors for the Moscow Watchdog are red and white with a little bit of black and tan around the head.

He is quite a heavy shedder so regular brushing and grooming is recommended.

He takes his role seriously as guardian and protector of his human family.

Large dogs don’t usually live as long as smaller breeds, and with good care your Moscow Watchdog can reach between 9 and 11 years of age. If you want your dog to be a parent, the litter size you can expect is anything from 5 to 10 puppies.

Temperament:

The dogs were used for guarding purposes and they are strong-willed, dominant and independent. They are also gentle dogs but will still require training and socialization to make them obedient and an all-round pleasant dog.

While the Moscow Watchdog is described as a pleasant dog, he isn’t a friendly teddy-bear kind of dog, tending to be fairly aloof. He would do well with an owner who is firm, fair, consistent and strong, as he is strong-willed.

Small but Full of Attitude

belgian griffon puppy - descriptionThere are different variations of this dog to give it its distinctive look and size. This quaint looking little Griffon canine comes with two different coat types - soft or wiry. With the Belgian Griffon, his wiry coat of red, tan or black will need to be brushed at least twice a week. Shedding with this dog is seasonal.

He has a compact, sturdy little body, and he trots around with attitude. With his sharp pointed ears and whiskers, he has been given the nickname ‘bearded dog’. His dark black eyes are alert. He is self-confident, intelligent and curious breed, a great family pet and good with children if he has grown up with them in the home. He is good with other pets. The fact that this is a small breed and that he doesn’t have excessive energy levels, means he is adaptable to city- and country living.

Characteristics

The Moscow Watchdog is a large dog and beautiful to look at. Even though he is large and strong, he is gentle and calm and makes a splendid pet.

Because of his large size he is better suited to life in the countryside or the suburbs as compared to smaller properties in the city. Their exercise needs will also need to be met such as a walk every day.

Think carefully before you take such a large dog into your home as he will require a lot of good food. Before investing in any dog, make sure that you have the means to provide him with an excellent home where he gets the best care, because he is willing to give you the very best of himself.

belgian griffon dog - characteristicsThe Belgian Griffon is an affectionate pet and often establishes a strong bond with one member of the family. You’ll have your Griffon with you for about 15 years so make sure he is trained and a pleasure to have around.They are difficult to train, being somewhat stubborn so they are going to require patience. They’re sensitive too, and they won’t respond well to aggressive treatment.

They’re much more indoor dogs than outdoor dogs because they’re also vulnerable to heat stroke. They just want to come indoors and be with their human family, and when you do that for them, they’ll become a wonderful friend and companion to you.

Health Problems

The Moscow Watchdog is a healthy dog breed, and with few inheritable health problems, you’re not likely to spend much at the vet with him.

Of course, any dog needs a good diet, adequate exercise, vaccinations, and parasite treatments to stay in top condition. Some of the common diseases to look out for -

Hip Dysplasia:

We always have to mention hip dysplasia as it is so common with all dogs. Its an hereditary condition where lack of hip joint stability causes pain inflammation and lameness in the dog. Your dog, even though he is young, can develop hip dysplasia and then it can lead to early arthritis too. Your dog will need to get to the vet.

belgian griffon puppies - health problemsWhen you get your Griffon from a reputable breeder, you always have a better chance that he’ll be healthy. As it is, the Belgian Griffon has few hereditary health issues. However his dark eyes will have some genetic problems to contend with and he could suffer with progressive retinal atrophy. This is an illness which can lead to blindness

Other health issues to look out for are -

Syringomyelia – this is a neurological condition – an abnormality of the spinal cord – a disease which occurs more frequently in small breeds. It can cause your pet to endure a lot of pain.

Birthing Issues - these little dogs often have problems with giving birth, and a vet often has to intervene and perform a cesarean.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

This is a large breed dog so you want to make sure that if you feed him from the many commercially manufactured foods there are, it is the high quality one packed with vitamins and minerals and which cater specifically for large breeds to ensure the right amount of minerals and vitamins for his size.

You don’t want to just go on and on giving him dry kibble every day, so occasionally it will be a good idea to give him some boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables which can be added into his kibble. This is all the variety your dog needs, as dogs like consistency and simplicity because then they don’t suffer with digestive issues.

Never leave him without a constant source of cool, fresh water.

Exercise:

Contrary to what this dog looks like – large and clumsy, he is actually quite agile and will require a good amount of exercise. He may not look particularly active but he will certainly want a daily walk and he will also require running off the leash in the park or some ball and rope games in the garden.

Grooming:

he Moscow Watchdog has a thick, medium length coat. He doesn’t require professional grooming, but a good brush through once a week will help to condition the coat. Also, the breed is a moderate shedder so removing loose hair keeps the coat shiny and healthy.

Food and Water

belgian griffon dogs - caringThe Belgian Griffon will do well if you invest in high quality foods. You can make your own, but if you’re concerned about his health, it would be best to check what ingredients should go into his home-prepared meals to ensure he gets all the vitamins and minerals he needs.

If you want to go with commercially manufactured dog foods, check with your vet about wet- and dry foods. Your vet will help with choosing a food appropriate to his size and age. Always ensure that there is clean, fresh water available to your pet.

Exercise

Even though he is a small breed, he is fairly active and he will need his fair share of exercise like ball games and walks. Training and socialization are a must for him. You’ll notice that training isn’t particularly easy with this breed, and first time dog owners might not have the patience with him.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Toy dog
Origin:
Russia
Belgium
Height Male:
64 - 68 cm
25 - 27 inches
18 - 20 cm
7 - 8 inches
Height Female:
64 - 68 cm
25 - 27 inches
16 - 20 cm
6 - 8 inches
Weight Male:
45 - 68 kg
99 - 150 pounds
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
45 - 68 kg
99 - 150 pounds
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 11 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
1 - 3
Size:
Large dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Moscow Watchdog
Brussels Griffon, Griffon Belge, Griffon Bruxellois Petit Brabançon
Colors Available:
Red and white - bit of black and tan
red, tan or black
Coat:
Thick coats of medium length
2 types - soft or wiry
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Moscow Guard dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Presa Canario vs Moscow Guard dog - Breed Comparison
  3. Pyredoodle vs Moscow Guard dog - Breed Comparison
  4. Sarplaninac vs Moscow Guard dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Mountain View Cur vs Moscow Guard dog - Breed Comparison
  6. Native American Indian Dog vs Moscow Guard dog - Breed Comparison
  7. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Moscow Guard dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Moscow Guard dog - Breed Comparison
  9. Mucuchies vs Moscow Guard dog - Breed Comparison
  10. Shepherd Husky vs Moscow Guard dog - Breed Comparison
  11. Slovak Cuvac vs Moscow Guard dog - Breed Comparison
  12. Southern Hound vs Moscow Guard dog - Breed Comparison
  13. Taigan vs Moscow Guard dog - Breed Comparison
  14. St. John's Water Dog vs Moscow Guard dog - Breed Comparison
  15. Tornjak vs Moscow Guard dog - Breed Comparison
  16. Tibetan Kyi Apso vs Moscow Guard dog - Breed Comparison
  17. Tibetan Mastiff vs Moscow Guard dog - Breed Comparison
  18. Moscow Guard dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  19. Moscow Guard dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  20. Moscow Guard dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  21. Moscow Guard dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  22. Moscow Guard dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  23. Moscow Guard dog vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  24. Moscow Guard dog vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  25. Moscow Guard dog vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  26. Pomeranian vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  27. Maltese vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  28. Pug vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  29. Maltipoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  30. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  31. Cockapoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  32. Cavapoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  33. Cavachon vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  34. Papillon vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  35. Japanese Chin vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  36. Miniature English Bulldog vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  37. Bolognese vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  38. Italian Greyhound vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  39. Jug vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature Pinscher vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  41. Dorgi vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  42. Belgian Griffon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Belgian Griffon vs Bantam Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  44. Carlin Pinscher vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  45. Dorkie vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  46. German Spitz (Klein) vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  47. Doxiepoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  48. Bospin vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  49. Damchi vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  50. Lowchen vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds