This Wednesday, August 26, is World Dog Day. The perfect opportunity to pay tribute to a dog who may not have any fur, but who has been part of the Brussels landscape for over 25 years: the Zinneke-Pis. Between the city’s history, quintessentially Brussels humor, and a few particularly eventful misadventures, this little bronze dog ultimately says a lot about Brussels.
From a stray dog to a true symbol of Brussels
In Brussels, the word “zinneke” doesn’t just refer to a mongrel or mixed-breed dog. It also conveys a certain vision of the city. Its origin is linked to the Senne River —Zinne in Brussels dialect—and to the stray dogs that once lived along its banks. Later, the term came to be used to describe Brussels residents of diverse origins or those born elsewhere… It’s a word that actually fits quite well with a capital city where different cultures have long intersected. The City of Brussels notes, in fact, that in the 19th century, “zinneke” referred to stray dogs… before the term came to be applied to people living in Brussels who weren’t born there.
And it is precisely this idea of a mix that the Brussels sculptor Tom Frantzen has transformed into bronze. Installed since 1999 in the heart of downtown, his Zinneke-Pis depicts a dog lifting its leg against a pole. In fact, it’s a scene that playfully parodies the famous Manneken-Pis! It’s located at the corner of Rue des Chartreux and Rue du Vieux-Marché-aux-Grains, just a stone’s throw from the Halles Saint-Géry.
The third member of the Pis family
Because, yes, the Zinneke isn’t just a dog placed on a street! He’s also the third member of a particularly irreverent family. Following the Manneken-Pis and the Jeanneke-Pis, he rounds outthis unlikely trilogy of bronze figures who’ve chosen to relieve themselves in public. A Brussels specialty, in short.
And like any true Brussels native, the Zinneke has already had his share of adventures. In 2015, he was hit by a car… That’s right—before being restored and returned to his spot a few weeks later. Visit Brussels reports that he was reinstalled on Rue des Chartreux after this brief recovery period.
A little dog that gave its name to an entire parade
Perhaps the funniest part is that the Zinneke has come to transcend the status of a mere statue. Its name notably inspired the Zinneke Parade. Yes, that great Brussels street festival born out of the idea of fusion, creativity, and diversity! The word that once referred to a mixed-breed dog has thus become a joyful way of talking about Brussels itself.
So, for this World Dog Day, there’s no need to look far: head to Rue des Chartreux to say hello to this little dog who’s been peeing on a lamppost for over two decades. And if you walk right past him without noticing, don’t worry: that’s probably very Brussels-like, too!
