Let’s say you’ve got your list of potential pets narrowed down to two choices, and those choices are a dog and a monkey.

Well, skip the exotic animal issues and enjoy a little bit of both with the adorable, monkey-like Brussels Griffon!

These dogs have a sturdy, terrier-like body and come with either a rough coat (Griffon Bruxellois) or a smooth one (Griffon Braboncon.) Unlike a monkey, the Brussels Griffon smells just fine and won’t empty your cabinets for fun.

These little dogs have more than their share of “cute.” They stand 9-10 inches, and weigh a solid 9-12 pounds. Their faces somewhat resemble pugs, and some believe the smooth-coated Griffons come from pug lineage.

The Brussels Griffon has an excellent temperament. It’s often compared to a terrier, but without the excitability that can make terriers a bit difficult. They’re happy and affectionate, but not high-strung and neurotic. They’re also obedient, intelligent and loyal.

Physically, despite its cuteness, the Brussels Griffon looks like a little powerhouse. They were bred to be tough ratters in Belgium in the 18th and 19th centuries, until they caught on as attractive house dogs. This breed was just starting to hit its stride when World War I broke out. And then, like every aspect of daily life in their native Belgium, their progress was severely interrupted. Since then, they’ve spread throughout the world with only slight variations in breed.

Brussels Griffons make great watch dogs, and so tend to be a little reserved around stangers. They can also be slightly aggressive with other dogs if they’re not socialized early on in their training.

Training the Brussels Griffon is a little tricky. They require early efforts, and you need to be consistent and precise in conveying desired behaviors. It takes some patience, but the result will be a bright and energetic dog.

In terms of feeding and exercise, the Brussels Griffon is delightfully low-maintenance. They make great apartment dogs, as long as they’re walked daily. 6-8 ounces of raw meat and vegetables provides a healthy diet.

Grooming this breed is a little big trickier. Both rough and smooth type Griffons only shed a little, but need regular brushing and a clipping every 3-4 months. For show, it’s best to hand-strip to maintain the shine and texture of the coat. The nails should be trimmed regularly also.

One look at the Brussels Griffon, and you know you’ve got a little powerhouse full of love, energy and happy disposition. That’s not something you can be sure of if you opt for the pet monkey.