The Belgian Shepherd Laekenois or Belgian Shepherd is one of the four native Belgian dogs. It’s intelligent, friendly, and full of energy. Belgian Shepherd Laekenois is a great dog for those who want a loyal and beautiful dog. This dog with a wiry coat is friendly, energetic, and very trainable. Belgian Shepherds can be happy in the city or countryside. However, they prefer to have their own space where they can run freely.
Breed Overview
Colors
Red, red sable, fawn, mahogany, and black, fawn, and tan
The following products are suitable for
Families with active lifestyles, looking for a loyal dog to protect them
Temperament
Active, alert, lively, and loyal.
The Belgian Shepherd comes in four varieties, all of which share the same physical characteristics except for their coats and colors. The Groenendael is a dark black dog with a long, dense, black coat. The Tervueren can be a red, fawn, or grey dog with a mask or overlay.
Belgian Shepherd Laekenois Characteristics
Energy:
Low-energy dogs need minimal physical activity, whereas high-energy dogs are in need of a lot of mental and physical stimulation. When choosing a puppy, it’s crucial to ensure that their energy level matches your lifestyle.
Trainability:
Dogs that are easy to train learn prompts and actions more quickly, with less training. Dogs who are more difficult to train require more patience and practice.
Health:
Some breeds of dogs are more susceptible to genetic problems than others. It doesn’t necessarily mean that all dogs will suffer from these problems, but some are more susceptible than others.
Lifespan:
Some breeds have shorter life expectancies than others, either because of their size or genetic issues. The lifespan of your dog is also affected by proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene.
Sociability:
Some dog breeds have a more social disposition, towards both humans and dogs. Social dogs are more likely to approach strangers and ask for a pet or a scratch, whereas less social dogs tend to be more reserved and cautious. It’s important that you socialize with your dog, regardless of the breed.
Belgium’s economy has been driven by chocolate for centuries. Belgian farmers are known for their focus on cattle herding and the breeding of herding dog breeds.
Belgian Shepherds were used not only to help farmers control their livestock, but also as border patrol, ambulance, and police dogs. Belgian Shepherds are a noble breed who has done everything. The Belgian Shepherd was a beloved breed in its homeland, as it served as a police dog, a soldier, a service dog, and a best friend to play fetch with in the backyard.
The Belgian Shepherd Laekenois: Temperament and Intelligence
Belgian Shepherds are intelligent herding dogs that were originally bred for the care of sheep. This medium-sized breed is very calm and sweet, except when it senses an intruder around its family. This dog will alert its family if it perceives any threat.
The Belgian Laekenois Laekenois dog is intelligent, brave, and loyal to its owner. The dog is very active and energetic, so it seems to always be in motion. The Belgian Shepherd can become frustrated and bored if it is not given enough exercise to burn its energy. This frustration can lead to destructive behaviors such as excessive chewing of furniture and household objects.
What breeds are good for families?
Belgian Shepherds are playful dogs that make wonderful pets for families. If you are interested in this breed, be prepared to give it lots of exercises every day, including long walks, challenging hiking, agility and obedience training, as well as daily challenges. This medium-sized dog breed loves to be active and is eager to please its owners. The Belgian Sheepdog loves to play and run with children.
Can this breed get along with other pets?
If they are raised together, a Belgian Laekenois Shepherd can get along well with other pets. This dog can be aggressive when it meets another dog because of its prey-driven nature. You should not let a Belgian Shepherd run around with small animals such as cats or rabbits, as they will view them as prey. To ensure that the Belgian Shepherd does not harm any small animals, it is best to introduce them slowly.
What to know before buying a Belgian Shepherd:
Food & Diet Requirements
The Belgium Laekenois do not require a special diet. This breed needs high-quality food whether it is homemade or purchased commercially. This medium-sized breed should be fed approximately three cups of dog food dry twice daily. It is crucial to choose high-quality food. The healthier your Belgian Shepherd is, the less often you will need to replenish the bowl.
Exercise
The Belgian Shepherd Laekenois is not for you if you are looking for a soft, cuddly dog. This dog is energetic and thrives off of exercise. This is a dog that loves to chase and herd sheep. It’s best to keep it in a secure yard. This dog must be allowed to play, run and romp as much as possible.
The Belgian shepherd loves to play games such as Frisbee or ball toss. This dog is happy to go on a walk in the woods with you or even jog around town.
Training
The Belgian Shepherd can be a very responsive and attentive dog, but it needs to be trained by an experienced, confident owner. This high-energy dog may be too difficult to train for an inexperienced owner due to its strong will.
The Belgian Sheepdog is eager to please, and loves the mental stimulation that training offers. When well-trained, the breed is extremely intelligent and versatile and can do and learn almost anything. Belgian Sheepdogs can excel in challenging canine sports, as long as their owner/handler can take control and is confident.
Grooming
The Belgian Shepherd Laekenois sheds a lot of hair, so it’s important to brush the dog daily. If you don’t want dog hair all over your house, then this is not for you. Regular trimming and clipping is required to keep the dog’s rough and wiry coat from becoming matted.
The dog does not need to be washed frequently unless it is visibly dirty. You should however clean out the dog’s ear a few times a week to keep it free of dirt. Brushing the dog’s teeth is also a great idea.
Health Conditions
Belgian Shepherds are generally healthy dogs that can live for up to 12 years. This breed is susceptible to certain health conditions, as are all dogs.
Severe Conditions
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Patellar luxation
- Cancer
- Minor Conditions
- Cataracts
- Epilepsy
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Hypothyroidism
Male vs female
You can get both male and female Belgian Shepherd Laekenois. The size of a female and male Belgian Shepherd is different, but the personalities are similar.
Males are usually bigger and heavier. Full-grown males can be up to two inches taller than females and weigh 10 pounds more. It’s not uncommon for males to stand at 24 inches and weigh 65 pounds.
Three little-known facts about the Belgian Shepherd Laekenois
1. This breed has an instinctive ability to control the movement of other animals
The Belgian Shepherd Laekenois is a herding breed that was created to protect, gather, and herd livestock. This dog’s herding instinct is strong enough to herd its owners and even the youngest family members. The Belgian Shepherd is a wonderful companion dog and responds well to training.
2. The AKC has just recognized this breed as one of the newest.
The American Kennel Club officially recognized the Belgian Shepherd breed in 2020, despite the fact that it is an ancient breed originating from Belgium. The AKC took so long to recognize the breed because it is a relatively rare breed in the United States.
3. It’s A Dog Who Likes To Chase
Belgian Shepherds are herding dogs, so they have a strong instinct to chase. If given the chance, this dog will chase bicyclists and joggers as well as cars. This dog will chase away any animal running from it. This dog will also nip and chase small children, so it is important to have an adult supervise any time there are young humans in the vicinity.
Final Thoughts
The wiry-coated Belgian Shepherd is a great pet if you are looking for a dog that’s intelligent, active, and loyal. This dog is most happy in a house with a large, fenced-in yard. This is a very energetic dog, so you will need to give it plenty of opportunities for exercise. This breed is friendly and will always join you on your adventures.
The Belgian Laekenois, when well-socialized and raised with children, is a good dog around them. Remember that this dog is a herding breed and may attempt to herd your children if you play with them. This dog may be aggressive towards other animals who are not family members. Start early with lots of positive reinforcement to get your Belgian Shepard used to other animals.
What breeds are included in the Belgian Laekenois?
The Belgian Laekenois is a medium-sized Belgian herding breed with an athletic build, pointed ears, and a double coat of wiry, curly fur. This remarkable sheepdog is connected to the other three Belgian shepherds: the Groenendael, Malinois, and Tervuren.
What exactly is a rare Belgian dog?
The Laekenois is the rarest of the four closely related Belgian herders, the Belgian Sheepdog, Malinois, Tervuren, and Laekenois.
What are the four different sorts of Belgian shepherds?
The Belgian Shepherd dog is the only breed that comes in four colors: short-coated red, fawn, or grey ‘Malinois,’ long-haired fawn, red, or grey ‘Tervueren,’ long-haired black ‘Groenendael,’ and the uncommon rough-coated reddish fawn ‘Laekenois.
Are Belgian shepherds pricey?
A Belgian Malinois puppy with papers but no breeding rights or show quality costs around $1,067.50 on average. A Malinois puppy pricing with papers, outstanding ancestry, breeding rights, or show quality can range from $3,400 to $9,000.
Are Belgian dogs intelligent?
In cognitive testing, a Belgian Malinois Shephard scored the highest. Belgian Malinois, commonly known as Belgian Shephard, was named the most intellectual dog by experts from Finland’s University of Helsinki.
Is the Belgian Laekenois uncommon?
During and during the wars, the Belgian Laekenois suffered immensely. Breeders worked hard to increase its numbers, but it remains an uncommon breed today.
What is the size of a Belgian Laekenois?
The Belgian Laekenois has a body length of around 33″-38″ (84-97 cm), a standing height of approximately 29″-34″ (74-86 cm), with a normal lifetime of 10-14 years.
What kind of Belgian dog is the largest?
A fully mature bouvier des Flandres may reach about 1 meter tall and weigh 40kg (over 6 stone). Despite their size, they may be calm and docile with a nice demeanor, and their herding instincts make them protective household pets.
Are Belgian shepherds powerful?
The Belgian Malinois is a powerful, rough dog with a broad range of temperaments and aggression. This breed is not appropriate for families with little, unpredictable youngsters. The Belgian Malinois is a working breed with unique requirements that can only be met by an experienced owner.
Are Belgian shepherds larger than German shepherds?
Remember that the German shepherd is somewhat bigger than the Belgian Malinois. The GSD weighs 65-90 pounds for males and 50-70 pounds for females, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). The Belgian Malinois, on the other hand, weighs between 60 and 80 pounds for males and 40 to 60 pounds for females.