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The Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) is a breed of dog, sometimes classified as a variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog rather than as a separate breed. The Laekenois is not fully recognized in the United States. However, they can be shown in Britain, along with all three of the closely related breeds which share a heritage with the Laekenois: the Tervuren, the Malinois, and the Groenendael, the last being shown in the U.S. as the Belgian Sheepdog.
Belgian Shepherd Dog (also know as the Belgian Sheepdog or Chien de Berger Belge) can refer to any of four breeds of dog: the Groenendael, the Laekenois, the Tervueren, or the Malinois. In some regions, these are considered four different varieties of a single breed; in other regions, they are considered a single breed.
The Australian National Kennel Council and the New Zealand
Kennel Club recognize all four as separate breeds. The
Canadian Kennel Club, Kennel Union of South Africa and the
Kennel Club (UK) follow the FCI classification scheme and
recognises all four as varieties of the same breed.
All are hard-working, intelligent dogs of the same general
size and temperament. They differ in their coats and
superficially in appearance.
They are so closely related that, when breeding any two
dogs of the same coat colour and length (eg Groenendael), it
is possible for puppies of different "breeds" to be
in the same litter. For example, a Groenendael litter could
contain a brown-coated long-haired puppy; in countries that
consider them the same breed with 4 coat variaties, this is
fine and the puppy would be a valid Tervueren, but the AKC
considers it to be an aberration of the all-black Belgian
Shepherd and disqualifies it in the conformation ring. This
dog can be bred with other Groenendaels (indeed the AKC allows
this because the dog is after all registered as a
Groenendael!) and worked in obedience, agility and other
sports venues. Likewise, a Tervueren could have a short-coated
puppy; in some countries, this is merely the Malinois coat
variation but the AKC again considers it to be a
disqualifiable fault in the conformation ring.
In years gone past, the Groenendael and Tervuren were one
breed with coat variations until the Club decided to petition
the AKC to make the separation into two separate breeds.
Temperament: Belgian Shepherds are bred to be highly
intelligent, alert and sensitive to everything going on around
them, and to develop extremely strong relationship bonds. This
means that they need significant socializing as puppies,
lifelong activity outlets, and will seek to be with
"their human" all the time, preferably doing
something rather than waiting around. They can find it very
difficult to be left alone. During their juvenile years, they
can go through irrational fears (similar to the child who
believes there is a monster in the closet), and can suddenly
develop anxiety over some object or place which has never been
a problem before, although these fade over time with a good
positive lead. They tend strongly to be a "one person
dog."
Belgian shepherds like to please, and can over-react badly
to "negative" (punishment or deterrence based)
training, so they should as a rule be clicker- or
reward-trained only. They can also behave as if they think
that they are smarter than their owners, so it is important
for the owner to know how to train dogs or to enroll in
training classes. Professional training is highly recommended
by trainers/academies specific to this type of dog, as well as
continued training or development beyond the basics, such as
obedience, agility and herding and other sports. This is
because Belgian Shepherds as a rule require mental stimulation
as much or more so then physical. Most Belgian owners know
that rote or pattern-based training is not the ideal for
Belgians. Nor is drilling a particular activity going to prove
successful. If a Belgian does something right 3 times in a
row, he, or she, does not see the sense in doing it the fourth
time!
All the Belgian Shepherd breeds need a lot of activity and
close interaction with people. Like most herding breeds, they
need a job to do (be it frisbee in the park, herding, learning
tricks, dog agility). Throwing a toy endlessly for the dog to
fetch works for some breeds, but the Belgian breeds are
intelligent and sociable dogs who can easily become bored with
such simple and undemanding repetition. Many Belgians make
superb assistance dogs who thrive on knowing that their jobs
are indeed necessary for their chosen person.
Ownership: They are widely considered to be a fine
looking dog, loyal, intelligent, fun, and well suited to
family life. However because of their high sensitivity to
criticism or to being ignored, their careful handling and
socialising needs, their need for ongoing stimulation and
purposeful activity, and their potential (in common with other
high energy dogs such as Siberian Huskies) to develop problems
or even become destructive if bored, they are not usually
considered suitable for a first time or inexperienced owner,
or one who cannot meet their needs.
Health: Belgians overall are fairly healthy as a
breed, especially compared to many other breeds. Their main
illnesses as a breed are epilepsy, hip dysplasia, thyroid
conditions, and cataracts. A study at UC indicates that 17%
(one in 6) will develop epilepsy, although most of these will
only develop occasional petit mal seizure and not be seriously
affected by it. Their more compact form means they are less
likely to develop dysplasia than German Shepherds or other
breeds (around 8% or 1 in 12). Cataracts can develop around
ages 2-4.
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