Belgian Sheepdog Breed Profile
- History of the Belgian Sheepdog
- Belgian Sheepdog Care
- Common Health Problems
- Diet and Nutrition
The Belgian Sheepdog is a relatively large dog, also known as Groenendael or Chien de Berger Belge, originally from Belgium. It was originally bred to guard sheep, an occupation with which it still commonly works, and it was registered with the AKC in 1912. The Belgian Sheepdogs average between 65 to 75 pounds in weight (29 to34 kg) and between 24 to 26 inches (61 to66 cm) in height. This title Belgian Sheepdog can in fact one of four different breeds, but in some places around the globe they are considered a single breed, and the Groendael breed is the one to which the name applies according to most kennel clubs and organisations. The way the different breeds are named and categorized has changed with time, and it still varies from country to country.
The Belgian Sheepdog is very sociable, caring and loyal. It is however not a good choice for newcomers. They are intelligent and easy to train, but may at times be very stubborn, and also need a lot of attention and daily exercise to stay healthy. They are very devoted, and make great companions. The Belgian Sheepdog was originally used, as the name implies, for herding and guarding sheep. Nowadays it can also be used as a regular family dog as well. They work hard, and if they don't have any work to do they require a good deal of exercise to remain healthy and happy.
The Belgian Sheepdog is also confident and wellbalanded, and has nothing against working independently. They are great as companions, and their protective instincts make them good watchdogs as well. They get along fine with older more considerate children and strangers, but as all herd dogs it has a tendency of keeping them gathered if they move around "too much". Pets are to be introduced carefully to the Belgian Sheepdog however, as it can consider all smaller animals as prey, and might try to consume the other species. Their instinct to chase is something they still retain since ancient days. The Belgian Sheepdog is not built to live in a very warm climate, and works best in colder, yet not arctic, surroundings.
The average lifespan of a Belgian Sheepdog is 10 to12 years. The most common causes of death are cerebral vascular and cancer. Common health issues include thyroid problems, pannus, epilepsy, cataracts, PRA and HD. You should also note that parents of Belgian Sheepdog puppys should have both OFA and CERF certificates.
The Belgian Sheepdog is the epitome of a hard-working herding dog. Highly trainable and extremely intelligent, it’s a breed that has been designed for hard work—but yet they have a sensitive, gentle temperament that craves human companionship, making them ideal family dogs.
A strong-willed, elegant breed, the Belgian Sheepdog is often referred to as “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed,” and with good reason. They are exceptionally loyal dogs that tend to be workaholics who aim to please and are ready for any adventure. As such, these eager, athletic dogs will always give their all when participating any sort of activity or sport...or just playing in the backyard with their favorite humans.
Breed Overview:
GROUP: Herding
HEIGHT: 22 to 26 inches
WEIGHT: 55 to 75 pounds (male), 45-60 pounds (female)
COAT AND COLOR: Thick double-coat, black color
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 14 years
Characteristics of the Belgian Shepherd
| Affection Level | High |
| Friendliness | High |
| Kid-Friendly | High |
| Pet-Friendly | High |
| Exercise Needs | High |
| Playfulness | High |
| Energy Level | High |
| Trainability | High |
| Intelligence | High |
| Tendency to Bark | Low |
| Shedding | Medium |
History of the Belgian Sheepdog:
The industrious Belgium’s terrain and climate is ideal for both livestock and dairy farming. Today the country may be known as the world’s leading exporter of milk chocolate, but at one time, Belgian farmers were focused on cattle herding...as well as the breeding of herding dogs. In fact, there were once eight varieties of shepherd dogs that were unique to Belgium. These dogs were officially classified for the first time in the 1890s, and today there remains the Belgian Sheepdog (also known as the Groenendael or Chien de Berger Belge), Tervuren, Malinois, and Laekenois, which are all anatomically identical but with coats that vary in terms of texture, color, and length.
The Belgian Sheepdog is the solid-colored (black), long-haired variety of the four Belgian shepherd dogs that exist today. At the time, the name Groenendael was given to these dogs by a man named Nicolas Rose, who was a renowned breeder of the time and operated a restaurant near Brussels called the Chateau Groenendael. In fact, Rose is thought to have purchased the foundation couple of what would become the Belgian Sheepdog breed.
The Belgian Sheepdog was listed in the Chien de Berger de Races Continentales (Continental Shepherds), which is a group that also includes German Shepherds, Briards, Hollander Herders, Bouviers, and Beauceron. It was also in the late 1800s that efforts were being made to propagate a “Belgian” dog for nationalistic purposes, which is what led to the creation of the Club du Chien de Berger Belge, or Belgian Shepherd Club, which ultimately led to the development of the Belgian Sheepdog.
By the turn of the 20th century, Belgian Sheepdogs were becoming well-known for their versatility and hard-working nature both inside and outside of Belgium. In fact, both Paris and New York began relying on Belgian Sheepdogs as police dogs in this era, and they were often employed by customs agents on border patrols to help identify smugglers. During World War I, these dogs worked as ambulance dogs, messengers, and freighters of heavy gunnery, and during the Second World War, Belgian Sheepdogs served as war dogs.
The Belgian Sheepdog Club of America was formed in 1949, and since that time this breed has been known to do everything from working as police and service dogs to competing as show dogs to performing search and rescues…and, of course, they’ve come to be known to make loving, loyal family pets.
Belgian Sheepdog Care:
When it comes to coat maintenance, the Belgian Sheepdog’s double-layer coat—which consists of a dense undercoat as well as a a coarser outer coat—is easier to maintain than you might think. However, during its shedding season once per year, these dogs will begin to shed heavily and require thorough daily brushing to remove all of the dead hair. During the rest of the year, a weekly brushing is sufficient, and only occasional baths are necessary (unless, of course, the dog has gotten into something messy while spending time outdoors). Their nails should be trimmed regularly.
Thanks to the fact that it’s a herding breed, the Belgian Sheepdog will require a sufficient amount of daily exercise. These are not dogs that will enjoy laying around the house all day; as a herding breed, they are alert, active working dogs that thrive when given a job to do. However, letting them roam the backyard alone isn’t going to be good enough for these dogs, as they so strongly crave time with their humans. As such, they won't be an optimal choice for anyone who works long hours outside the home, because they will likely become bored and possibly destructive in the house and potentially develop separation anxiety. Sheepdog owners will also have to keep safety in mind, as these dogs are hard-wired to chase sheep and will not hesitate to take off after animals, joggers or cyclists, or even cars...so leashed walks and a fenced-in yard are must-haves.
Owners of Belgian Sheepdogs should expect to participate in daily exercise sessions with their dogs, whether it’s going for a long walk or run, playing fetch, or training for canine sports such as flyball or competitions in agility, tracking, or herding. Since Belgian Sheepdogs are so intelligent and easily trainable—and, like many dogs, just want to make their owners happy—this is also an ideal breed for obedience competitions. However, any training should be kept positive and fun, as this is a particularly sensitive breed that can also have a tendency to be strong-willed.
Common Health Problems:
The Belgian Sheepdog is a study, robust breed and tend to be healthy dogs. Some conditions that may affect this breed include eye issues like progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts, epilepsy, elbow and hip dysplasia, and certain forms of cancer. Owners of these dogs should note that Belgian Sheepdogs are particularly sensitive to anesthesia should the need for surgery ever arise. Their ears should be checked regularly for signs of infection, and teeth should be brushed regularly.
Diet and Nutrition:
The Belgian Sheepdog should perform well on a high-quality dog food, either manufactured or prepared at home under veterinarian supervision. Fresh, clean water should be available at all times for this active breed.
Intelligent
Loyal
Hardworking
Prone to separation anxiety
High exercise needs
Easily bored
More Dog Breeds and Further Research:
When determining if the Belgian Sheepdog is the right dog for you, be sure to research all aspects of the breed and consult other Belgian Sheepdog owners, breeders, and rescue groups to learn more. Check out these other similar dog breeds. With a little bit of research you're sure to find the dog breed that's right for you!
German Shepherd
Belgian Malinois
Dutch Shepherd
Canaan Dog
Overview:
The Belgian sheepdog, also known as the Belgian Groenendael, is named after a village in Belgium. These dogs are one of the four different Belgian Sheepdogs. All the Belgian Sheepdogs were bred from tough working dogs, which guarantee that the current breeds are compatibly talented on the field. Nicholas Rose, a breeder from Groenendael developed the first Belgian Sheepdog. Seeing that this breed is so intelligent and protective, they have been used as herding dogs, and in both of the World Wars. They are also used for drug detection purposes, search and rescue, schutzhund and to be a companion for the family.
Temperament:
You will find that Belgian Shepherds are extremely intelligent, vigilant and sensitive to everything going on around them. These dogs also form very strong connections with their owners and families. It is important that this breed is socialised enough when they are still puppies, be active enough and to have enough human interaction. This breed will not do well when left alone for extended periods of time. They find it very difficult to be left alone. These dogs can go through unreasonable fears when young and develop anxieties over certain objects and places which have not been a problem earlier. Belgian shepherd dogs like to please their owners, but can also be dominant and will require an experienced owner. These dogs require lots of activity and interaction with their families - they will need a job to do
Care:
This breed will need a daily brushing to keep his straight haired coat in a good condition. It is important to brush their coats down all the way to prevent tangles from forming. You will find that these dogs shed more during the warmer seasons, and they will require more grooming during these periods.
These dogs will require a skilled trainer and firm training. The Belgian Sheepdog is a very intelligent breed, and they are very keen on pleasing their owners. This breed does amazingly well in obedience training, and also in working sports as they were originally bred to be herding dogs. These dogs love to please their owners; will not react well to a negative training environment. The Belgian Sheepdog will need lots of exercise, and also interaction with people.
Health problems:
In general the Belgian Sheepdog is a very healthy breed when compared to other breeds. The main illnesses they suffer from are hip dysplasia, epilepsy, thyroid conditions and eye cataracts.