Is the Belgian Shepherd Good For You?
- 1The Belgian Shepherd dog has strong protective and territorial characteristics which make them great guard dogs.
- 2It is important to train and socialize Belgian Shepherd puppies to prevent aggressive behavior later on.
- 3This breed is most known for their endurance, obedience, and loyalty.
HISTORY
Fabled for having participated in both World Wars, Belgian Shepherd was developed by Nicholas Rose, a breeder from the Groenendael village. Belgian Shepherd, also known as Groenendael, is one among the four varieties of Belgian Sheepdogs. Other three dogs in this category include Tervuren, Malinois, and Laekenois. Though the AKC considers them as separate breeds, the British Kennel Club deems them as a single breed. These dogs are recognized based on their coat type and color and not the origin. Like most shepherds, these dogs are skilled as police dogs, as well as doing other jobs as well, due to their heightened intelligence and trainability.
Quick Facts
Size
Medium/Large
Lifespan
10 - 14 years
Hair Length
Long/Short/Rough
Male Height
23.6 - 26 inches (60 - 66 cm)
Male Weight
55 - 66 pounds
Female Height
22 - 24.4 inches (56 - 62 cm)
Female Weight
44 - 55 pounds
Litter Size
6 - 10 puppies
Personality
Their innate protective and territorial instincts make Belgian Shepherds excellent guard dogs. The breed exhibits herding behaviors like circling and chasing and remains active for hours without any breaks. Proper early age socialization is required to tackle their aggressive behavior towards other animals. This could also prevent the tendency of the dog to show sensitivity or shyness. Known for their working abilities, endurance, and obedience, the dog can be a loyal and lovable pet..
Color
The Belgian Shepherd's coat can be colored black, black and white, black and cream, brown, fawn, fawn and black, gray, gray and black, sable, silver, silver and black, wolfgray and black
Health Concerns
Basically a healthy and tough breed, Belgian Shepherds have a life expectancy of 1314 years. However, the breed has a tendency to conditions like:
- epilepsy
- skin allergies
- eye problems
- hip dysplasia
- elbow dysplasia
Appearance
The dog's body is well-proportioned and wellbuilt with straight, parallel front legs and round feet. They have almond shaped eyes, black nose, flat skull, deep chest, tight lips, long feathered tail, and triangular ears that stand upright. The average height of Belgian Shepherd is 22 26 inches and weight is 60 - 63 pounds. The moderately long black dense coat has extra feathering on the underside, tail and legs.