MASTERCLASS

Griffon Bruxellois

CHUCKIE LUND

 CEC

Cec is a lovely example of a Brussels Griffon. Chuckie uses a #5 skip tooth blade on the body and styles the traditional head. Using the breed standard as her guide, Chuckie works to emphasise Cec’s rounded head, compact body, cylindrical legs and well-sprung rib, while preserving those all-important Griffon furnishings and that wonderfully distinctive expression. Be prepared with your handling notes - this one is a live wire! Watch how Chuckie gently controls Cec when she becomes restless.

Part 1 | Body, ears & that Griffon head

Chuckie begins the body with a #5 skip tooth, following the lay of the coat and using the clip to help emphasise Cec’s natural shape rather than simply taking everything to one length. She works around the shoulders, rib and rear before switching to a finishing blade for the head.

Then it’s into the really important Griffon territory. Chuckie demonstrates the line from the corner of the eye to the corner of the ear, tidies the ears and begins shaping Cec’s head, explaining how coat can be used to balance a head that appears too domed. The aim is a full, round head with a definite stop and plenty of that characteristic Griffon expression.

Part 2 | Legs, furnishings & finishing the shape

Chuckie shapes the cylindrical legs, rounds the feet, tidies the tail and uses her scissors to enhance the appearance of a well-sprung rib, while retaining enough furnishings to keep the character of Cec’s rough coat.

There’s also plenty of adapting to the dog in front of her as pocket rocket Cec wriggles, turns and offers her own thoughts on proceedings. Chuckie finishes by returning to the head and recapping the key lines that create that distinctive rough-coated Griffon finish: neat, but not overly groomed.