| Belgian Shepherd Dogs (Groenendael/Sheepdog, Tervuren, Malinois, Laekenois): the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Terrific information about Belgian Shepherd personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Belgian Shepherd, including these excerpts:
"Athletic, agile, lithe, elegant, the Belgian Shepherd Dog is frequently in motion, often moving in quick, light-footed, seemingly tireless circles.
This working dog needs a lot of exercise (running, hiking, biking, fetching) to stay in hard condition.
Even more important is personal interaction and mental stimulation (advanced obedience, agility, herding, Schutzhund, tracking). Responsible and eager to learn, he becomes bored, frustrated, and prone to obsessive behaviors without something to do.
Sometimes playing the mischievous clown, yet more often serious, the Belgian Shepherd is observant, often reserved with strangers, and has strong protective instincts.
He needs more extensive socialization than most breeds so that his watchfulness doesn't become suspicion or sharpness. Shyness and spookiness are present in some lines.
Most are okay with other pets if raised together, but he has a high prey drive, so small animals (cats, rabbits, ferrets, birds) should be introduced with care and supervision.
Belgian Shepherds often poke (or nip) people and other animals in an attempt to move them along or gather them together.
Attentive and responsive to the direction of a confident owner, he requires a light hand on the leash, for he is extremely sensitive to correction.
This intelligent dog muct be owned and handled by someone who is as smart and capable as he is, and who will provide for his exercise and working needs."
History
The Groenendael takes his name from Chateau Groenendael, in Belgium. The Laekenois takes his name from Castle Laeken. Malinois is derived from "Malines", the French name for the town of Mechelen. The Tervuren is named for the town of Tervuren
Size
21-26 inches and 45-75 lbs |
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Belgian Shepherd Dogs
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is large and strong -- but also elegant and graceful
- Is versatile -- when well-trained, can learn and do almost anything
- Excels in performance activities and thrives on work
- Is observant and watchful, with strong protective instincts
- Comes in several coats and colors
A Belgian Shepherd Dog may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- High activity level -- frequently in motion, often moving in quick light-footed circles
- Vigorous exercise requirements
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young
- Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough
- Aggression or fearfulness toward strangers in some lines, or when not socialized enough
- Aggression toward other animals
- Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
- Chasing and nipping at things that move: children, joggers, other animals, bikes, cars
- Heavy shedding (Malinois, Groenendael, Tervuren)
- Health problems
A Belgian Shepherd Dog may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Belgian Shepherd Dog... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Belgian Shepherds MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and to use their busy minds to do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Belgians can make a shambles of your house and yard.
| If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in herding, or agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or carting, or tracking, or schutzhund (protection), or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed.
Belgian Shepherds were never intended to be simply household pets. Their working behaviors (chasing, nipping, poking) are inappropriate in a normal household setting. Trying to suppress these "hardwired" behaviors, without providing alternate outlets for their high energy level, can be difficult. |
- Providing enough socialization. Most Belgian Shepherds have protective instincts toward strangers. They need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal behaviors of "good guys." Then they can recognize the difference when someone acts abnormally. Without careful socialization, they may be suspicious of everyone, which could lead to biting. Some Belgians go in the opposite direction -- without enough socialization, they become fearful of strangers, which can lead to defensive biting.
| In this day and age, the legal liabilities of owning any breed that looks intimidating and has a history as a guard dog should be seriously considered. |
- Animal aggression. Many Belgian Shepherds are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. Many have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals.
| If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Belgian Shepherd puppies. Young Belgian Shepherds (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. The temptation to play roughly and nip at moving people is simply too strong in many young Belgians. |
- Mind of their own. Belgian Shepherds are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal. Many individuals excel at the highest levels of competition. However, while some are quick to learn and eager to please, others can be stubborn and manipulative. Some Belgians are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
- Heavy shedding. Belgian Malinois, Groenendaels, and Tervurens shed a LOT. You'll find hair and fur all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vacuuming will become a way of life. Make sure you're REALLY up for this. (Laekenois don't shed nearly as much, but require much more coat maintenance.)
- Serious health problems. Hip problems, eye problems, epilepsy -- Belgian Shepherds can be risky in the health department.
- Finding one. In the United States, only about 1500 new Belgian Shepherd puppies are registered each year. (Compare that to over 60,000 new Golden Retriever puppies.) The Laekenois variety is especially difficult to find, and can be very expensive.
| Frankly, most Belgian Shepherds are "too much dog" for the average household. Very few people really have the knowledge or skills necessary to manage this breed, or to provide the activities that keep him satisfied. |
Note that most countries consider the Belgian Shepherd Dog to be one breed, with four coat and color varieties:
- the Groenendael (longhaired black)
- the Tervuren (longhaired fawn)
- the Malinois (shorthaired fawn)
- the Laekenois (roughhaired fawn)
The AKC has divided the Belgian Shepherd Dog into three separate BREEDS:
- the "Sheepdog" (longhaired black)
- the Tervuren (longhaired fawn)
- the Malinois (shorthaired fawn)
- and doesn't recognize the Laekenois at all
Only Canada allows interbreeding between varieties. This creates the largest gene pool and greatest genetic diversity, which is best for long-term health and vigor. Other countries and registries, in rejecting interbreeding, are forcing the gene pool to remain small and narrow. If you've already read my article, Purebred Dogs vs. Mixed Breed Dogs, you know why this is so unwise for health reasons.
| Not all Belgian Shepherds are alike! |
- There are energetic Belgians, and placid Belgians.
- Hard-headed Belgians, and sweet-natured Belgians.
- Serious Belgians, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Belgians, and Belgians who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Belgian Shepherd puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Belgian Shepherd... |
There are plenty of adult Belgian Shepherds who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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