The Belgian Sheepdog is one of four types of Belgian Shepherd Dogs. They excel at police work, as guard dogs, and war time work.
Alternate Names
Belgian Shepherd Dog
Chien de Berger Belge
Groenendael
Appearance:
Body: A Square, well-balanced and well-muscled body with a deep chest, level back and slightly higher withers.
Coat: Short, straight, abundant, and somewhat harsh, but not wiry, with a very dense undercoat making them adaptable to extreme temperatures.
Color: Solid black or black with some white.
Ears: Stiff, erect, and triangular-shaped.
Eyes: Brown to dark brown and slightly almond-shaped.
Feet: Forefeet are round, cat-like, and well-padded with toes curved close together. The hind feet are slightly oval-shaped.
Head: Clean-cut, powerful, and alert. A flat skull and moderate stop with a somewhat pointed muzzle.
Neck: A rounded neck, well-muscles and tapered to the body. It hangs down when relaxed and has a slight curve.
Legs: Forelegs are well-muscled, trim, and straight with oval-shaped bones. The hind legs have well-muscled thighs, oval-shaped bones, and sharply angled at the stifle joint.
Size:
Height is 22 – 26 inches
Weight is 60 – 80 pounds
Tail: Well-muscled at the base and curved when held upward.
Behavior
Recommended for experienced handlers.
Not recommended for children.
The Belgian Sheepdog is a very bright, courageous, quick learning, and athletic dog. He is used by the police and by the military in times of war. He can be a wonderful family pet if handled properly by an owner with experience and patience.
Shepherd dogs are hard working and protective of their family, though sometimes reserved with strangers. Having been used as guard dogs in bars, they were trained to be accepting of customers during open hours and vicious attack dogs once the doors were closed to business.
They are a sensitive dog who will respond best to positive and rewarding obedience training. As with most intelligent breeds, they will easily become bored without constant physical and mental stimulation. Training and play should be varied and challenging with minimal repetition. Once they learn what is being taught, they will be anxious to move on to something new.
Breed Type
AKC Group: Herding Group
Originally used for herding and guarding livestock.
Of the four Belgian breeds, the American Kennel Club (“AKC”) recognized only the Groenendael under the name “Belgian Sheepdog”. The Tervuren, and the Malinois are recognized as separate breeds and the Laekenois can be registered as part of the AKC stock service.
Care and Grooming
Exercise: A great deal of physical exercise and mental stimulation is required to keep this dog from becoming bored and frustrated.
Grooming: His double coat requires regular weekly brushing except during shedding season (spring and fall) when he will require daily grooming.
Health
Life Expectancy: 11 – 13 Years
A generally healthy dog.
Possible Problems:
Cataracts
Epilepsy
Hip Dysplasia
Thyroid conditions
Country of Origin
Belgium – 1800s