Belgian Shepherd
Other names: Malinois, Groenendael, Tervueren, Laekenois
The Belgian Shepherd is a keen working dog, a little nervous, overflowing with energy and vitality and always ready to carry out tasks given. Naturally the herder of flocks, they are also used to guard a property. Four varieties exist: the Malinois, who was specifically selected for guarding, defence and sporting activities; the Groenendael, the Terveuren and the Laekenois, who preserve the calm and bold side of the shepherd.
Key facts about the Belgian Shepherd
Origins and history
The four varieties were chosen in the late 19th century by a group of dog lovers led by Professor Reul, from the Cureghen Veterinary School, who were trying to sort out a rather confused canine gene pool. The first standard was published in 1894, the starting point for all future breeding.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 1 - Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
Section
Section 1 : Sheepdogs
Physical characteristics of the Belgian Shepherd
Adult size
Female : Between 22 and 24 in
Male : Between 24 and 26 in
Weight
Female : Between 44 and 55 lb
Male : Between 55 and 66 lb
Coat colour
The Groenendael has a black coat.
The Malinois and Tervueren have all shades of red, fawn, grey with black overlay.
The Laekenois has a reddish fawn colour with black shading, principally on the muzzle and tail.
Type of coat
There are three varieties of coat: long hair (Groenendael and Tervueren), short hair (Malinois) and coarse hair (Laekenois)
The hair is dense and tightly-packed with a fuzzy undercoat.
Eye colour
Their eyes are brownish, the darkest possible.
Description
The Belgian Shepherd is a noble, well-proportioned, rustic dog. They are smaller, lighter and more flexible than the German Shepherd. They have a well-chiselled head, long and straight. The skull is of medium width proportionate to the length of the head, the forehead is rather flat, with a moderate stop and a well-chiselled muzzle. The chamfer is straight. The eyes are averagely-sized. The ears are triangular, stiff and straight, set high on the head. The neck is muscular without any dewlap or other hanging skin. The body is powerful but not heavy. The top line is straight. The tail, of medium length, is carried when the dog is at rest and raised when in action.
Good to know
Some dogs may be a bit nervous and experience some difficulty in their defence work due to excessive mistrust. However, a good supervisor always succeeds in making the most of this dog with such remarkable qualities, provided that the dog’s family tree is proven.