The second theory is that the breed did not exist until 1880, which was the year a Griffon-like dog won third prize at a large dog show in Brussels, and it was much admired. Belgian breeders wanted to preserve it and so the popularity and development of the breed started.

This is probably a bit true in both theories, the predecessor to the breed was almost certainly a small rough-haired terrier similar to a dog that had been on the streets of Brussels for some time, they were very popular with drivers in the city who kept them in the stable as rat hunters and were referred to as "Stable E'curie" (Stall) and sometimes "little street boys". The drivers often let the Griffons sit in the carriage and they got, among other things. act as alarm dogs, by barking, the driver was warned if anyone approached the carriage. The griffon became a common sight and in this way became very popular among the fine ladies who loved their cheeky and cheeky expressions. Probably there were some crosses that changed the look and made them popular and fashionable. Breeders began to cross in breeds of various kinds such as - pug that gave the breed the big head, eyes, black coloration and the short-haired variant, - King Charles Spaniel strengthened the flat face and deepened the red fur. Unfortunately, the King Charles Spaniel also contributed to the arched skull, large ears and webbed feet (which are still seen today). It is also claimed that the Yorkshire terrier was used and that it is the cause of the unwanted silk fur that we often see.

In Belgium in 1880 the club `Club du Griffon Bruxellois' was formed and a breed standard was developed, the dogs began to be registered and the first breed classes were held in 1883. The breed went from strength to strength and soon gained admirers from other European countries and the USA. many Griffons abroad, which caused them Belgian breeders to worry when several of the best breeding animals left the country.The male who won the show in Brussels in 1880 `Tom '(or" Vom "this is not entirely clear) was bought by an Englishman who brought him to the UK. Before his departure he was mated with a bitch who gave birth to a male named `Fox 'and he became a popular breeding male and was even the grandfather of England's first Champion. It was not long before more Griffons were imported to England and registered as" foreign dogs ". Some could be traced as Griffons in 1895, but it was not until 1896 that the first four approved imports were made that were registered in the pedigree. In 1898 the Griffon was recognized as a breed by the English Kennel Club. Only three were registered the year two of these went on to become the first and second English Champion, Bruno and Mousequetaire Rouge.Around this time quarantine regulations began to take effect and the law that dogs born after 1895 with hilly ears were not allowed to be shown at shows, led British breeders to start breeding their own breeding base.

World War I was a difficult time for Belgian breeders, but they recovered enough to continue breeding and exporting Griffons. It is said that there were about 5,000 griffons in the country. Between then and World War II, it was decided in Belgium that all web-photographed breeding animals were not allowed to breed. Although the homeland almost managed to get rid of the unwanted bug, it damaged the breed by causing a decline in the breed and in 1939 the breed was very small in number. During the war years no breeding took place and in 1945 Griffon had almost disappeared in his homeland.

This did not happen in Britain as the English were foresighted enough to see the benefits of keeping even the quality breeding animals that had web feet and never explain it as a mistake. It seemed that the best dogs were the ones attached to those with web feet - they were the ones with the best heads, large nostrils and high nose placement - characteristics that gave the Griffon face its unique expression. Breeding of Griffon in the UK therefore continued to increase in quality. The tide had turned and now it was British breeders who exported breeding material to Belgium.