All about Belgian Shepherd

 The Belgian Shepherd is a somewhat controversial breed, as it has four varieties, which in some countries, such as the United States; end up being considered as distinct breeds.

If you already have a good experience with dogs and you are looking for a good guard dog and also a good company, this breed is worth knowing. There are four types of Belgian Shepherd. The Shepherd Malinois, the Groenendael, the Tervueren and the Laekenois.

Breed History and Types of Belgian Shepherd

It is not possible to know the exact origins of the Belgian Shepherd, but it is believed that this breed descended from Central European herd dogs.

It was from the end of the 1800s, that admirers and lovers of dogs decided to refine the existing herding breeds in Belgium – breeds that could not yet be considered “pure”. In 1891, the Belgian Shepherd Club was founded in Brussels, in search of discovering a national herding breed. The first breed standard was written in 1892, but it was not until 1901 that the breed was officially recognized.

Each variety was developed in a different region and is named after that region or after the castle of the breed's first breeders. The Belgian Shepherd Groenendael received this name in 1898 thanks to its main breeder, N. Rose, from Groenendael Castle.

Shortly after, the rarest Laekenois were named after Laeken Castle. From the Malines region came the Malinois. And from the Tervueren community came the Belgian shepherd Tervueren.

There is controversy, however, regarding the classification of this breed. In Belgium, the four varieties are recognized as a single breed, but in some countries, each variety is considered to be a different breed. The USA is one of these countries.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) only recognizes the Malinois, Tervueren and Groenendael as breeds. And it is usually with the latter that the name Belgian Shepherd is associated, while the others end up being called Shepherd Malinois and Shepherd Tervueren. The International Federation of Cynophilia recognizes all subtypes as one breed only.

Nowadays, the Belgian Shepherd gets a lot of attention for his performance and work in the police, in the military forces, in rescue operations and in drug detection operations.

Physical characteristics

      

        

This breed is large and strong without being bulky, which gives it an elegant and graceful appearance. Its constitution is square and all its varieties have similar cranial structures, with long snouts, and pointed and erect ears.

The average height of males varies between 60 and 66 cm, while that of females varies from 56 to 62 cm. The proper weight should be between 28 and 30 kg for males and between 20 and 25 kg for females.

The color and length of the coat depend on the variety. With the exception of Malinois, all varieties have long hairs. The Groenendael have an entirely black coat, in addition to being long, thick and very abundant up to the legs.

The Tervueren have the same type of coat as the first, but with a coloring in shades of black and gold. The Belgian Shepherd Laekenois, the favorite of Queen Maria Henrietta of Belgium, has hard and wavy yellowish hair, and there may be a mixture of white hairs as well. And the Malinois, have short hair in black and gold colors.

Personality

            

The Belgian Shepherd is very active, athletic and brave. Sensitive, he is known for forming strong bonds with his owners. It's also an extremely intelligent breed, but it's quite challenging to live with - it can sometimes have dominant tendencies - so if you're an inexperienced owner, you could be in trouble.

Although the Belgian Shepherd is always attentive and responsive, it is necessary for the owner to convey his orders confidently and at the right time – due to the breed's quick reflexes and reactions – for the dog to behave well.

From time to time, the Belgian Shepherd may exhibit naughty and playful behavior. However, he is generally more reserved, shy and aloof, as well as displaying a strong protective instinct. He also tends to look very suspiciously at strangers. Knowing this, it is important that dogs of this breed undergo extensive socialization from puppies.

It is good to remember that each variety can present some small differences in temperament :

• The Belgian Shepherd Malinois, for example, is best for competition in protective sports and is often used by the police. This variety has a stronger personality than the others, high energy levels, and a great hunting instinct. So it can be quite difficult to deal with.
• The Belgian Shepherd Tervueren is also successful in these protection competitions. However, they do better in obedience and agility competitions, such as obstacle races. And your personality can vary from a more carefree one to a more nervous and restless one.
• Groenendaels, on the other hand, tend to have a “lighter” temperament and are less likely to have a drive for jobs that the breed usually performs. Even so, they are still great dogs for competitions.

In relation to other dogs and animals, they tend to be aggressive towards dogs of the same sex and, if not well trained, they can chase and kill cats and other smaller animals.

Health and care

       

The Belgian Shepherd can live up to about 14 years. So to keep your health well, be sure to feed him well and practice a lot of physical and mental activity with him.

• Feeding: for an adult dog, the daily recommendation is about 3 cups of quality food , divided into two meals. Of course, this amount can vary depending on the activities your dog does during the day.
• Brushing the coat: If your variety is a long coat, brushing the coat should be done weekly.
• Nail Trimming: Nails should be trimmed regularly to avoid problems with your dog's paws and legs.
• Practice of physical exercises: this breed has energy to give and sell! Go for long walks and play with him a lot.
• Practice Mindsets: The Belgian Shepherd can get bored easily and begin to engage in obsessive behaviors if they do nothing. They usually express their boredom by barking and chewing on things. Get him mentally exercised with obedience, agility, herding, guarding, and/or tracking activities.

Don't forget to also check your Belgian Shepherd's ears and fur. If you find anything strange, make an appointment with the vet.

Common health problems in this breed are: hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, epilepsy and cancer.

Belgian Shepherd price

Thinking of buying one? A Belgian Shepherd puppy is costing in the range of R$2,000.

But before you buy, remember to look for one for donation at shelters for abandoned dogs! They have a lot of free puppies in need of a home.

It is ideal for the breed to live in this location

Apartment no way! These dogs need a lot of available space to be able to run and play at will and spend all their energies. A country house or a place would be ideal, but a house with a large backyard should already be a good size.

In any case, the environment must be calm and without excessive stimulation so that the dog does not get stressed.

They withstand both cold and heat well. However, on very hot days, it is always good to remember to keep your pet in an airy, shady place and plenty of water nearby.