As the name indicates, the Brussels Griffon hails from Belgium....
In the 19th century, small terriers were used to help keep stables free of rats and other vermin. One of these breeds, the Griffons d'Ecurier, was a wire-coated stable dog and is believed to have been mixed with the King Charles Spaniel, Ruby Spaniel, and Pug to create the Brussels Griffon we know today.
Though the breed had quite humble beginnings, Brussels Griffons soon started making their way into the drawing rooms of royalty. Queen Marie Henriette bred Brussels Griffon dogs, and her interest in the breed spurred the creation of breed clubs in England and the United States.
The Brussels Griffon came close to extinction after World Wars I and II, but English breeders stepped up and managed to revive the breed. The American Kennel Club recognized the Brussels Griffon in 1910, and though they are not a very common breed, they're sure to put a smile on the face of anyone lucky enough to encounter one.