Meet the Belgian Shepherd Dog

A Sheepdog from Belgium: One breed, four varieties:

GROENENDAEL – long hair black LAEKENOIS – curly (tousled) coat fawn MALINOIS – short coat fawn with black face mask. TERVUEREN – long hair fawn or grey with black face mask

The four varieties of the Belgian Shepherd Dog (BSD) are named in relation to Belgian villages: Groenendael, Laekenois, Mechelar (Malinois) and Tervuren.

The BSD was officially recognised in the 1880s, when it was decided to pronounce a national Belgian breed of dog characterised by the typical dogs seen at work in Belgium.

Distinguishing it from the continental shepherd dogs seen across Europe, the unique native shepherd dog of Belgium was typically square and medium-sized with triangular ears, differing only in texture, colour and length of coat.

In the late 1800’s these typical dogs were gathered together by dog enthusiasts, and the ones judged as the most beautiful and also having an excellent work ethic were selected as the ‘ideal’.

These critiques formed the original BSD Breed Standard, and in 1891, the first Belgian Shepherd Dog Club was formed in Belgium.

In general, the BSD is an obedient and multi-talented breed of dog which can excel at most tasks asked of it, whether that be as a serious dog for working, or as a fun family companion who will also ardently protect those they love.

However, their intelligence can also make the BSD difficult to manage if the owner lacks experience with the breed, or does not provide their BSD with daily physical and environmental enrichment activities.

The type of work the BSD is oftenfound participating in includes:

Herding; Guard dog duties; Assistance Dogs; Police Dogs; Tracking and Search and Rescue.

The types of performance activities and events the BSD can be found enjoying includes:

Herding; Tracking; Agility; Obedience;Lure Coursing; Dock Diving; Dances with Dogs; Endurance.

Many Belgian Shepherds also excel at just being family companions,and this they do particularly well!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VARIETIES?

According to the Breed Standard,there is no difference between the varieties of BSD besides coat length, texture and colour. Shave them off and they should all be the same. The BSD is an elegant, well proportioned, natural, medium sized, square dog.

They are enthusiastic and quick with a natural tendency to be in motion; elegant and robust, they have very few known health issues.

The Groenendael and Tervueren have become the most popular as family companions due to their beautiful appearance and glamorous coats. It has also made them popular as show dogs.

The Malinois has been consistently chosen as a Police dog due to the easy-care coat, so has developed a personality second to none when it comes to ‘getting their man’!

The Laekenois is also popular as a working guarding dog, historically used to guard the flaxen fields in Brussels.

The Laekenois also has the most developed sense of humour, but don’t let this goofy attitude trick you! They are as clever as their other three cousins and need a family who are committed to training and boundaries.

PERSONALITY

The BSD excels not only in herding, obedience, and tracking, but also in protection and law enforcement; drug, bomb and gas detection; search and rescue; sledding; agility; and therapy assistance to the disabled, ill or elderly.

This dog is demanding and needs a dedicated owner. They are people oriented and want to be with their family; this preference makes the BSD unsuitable as kennel dogs.

Belgians are also usually excellent watch dogs and will tell you when visitors are arriving.

LIVING WITH

The Belgian Shepherd needs extensive socialisation from an early age and consistent boundary setting (but definitely not harsh training).

They make excellent companions … IN THE RIGHT HOMES.

They thrive on loving companionship.

The BSD can live in an apartment if sufficiently exercised; they are moderately active indoors, and will do best with at least an average sized yard to play in.

They adapt well to most climates, and the Malinois has proven their ability to adapt to harsher climates, for example, when working as army dogs in Afghanistan.

The BSD lives happily in areas such as Far North Queensland and Darwin, as their double coats helps to insulate against the hot weather.

IN A NUTSHELL…

Size: Medium Energy Level: Very energetic

Exercise Requirements: Like us, BSD’s need to exercise regularly. This can be a long walk or run (after your pup reaches 12 months of age), ball or frisbee chasing or swimming.

Environmental enrichment: BSD’s are a very intelligent breed that benefit from different types of enrichment along with exercise; this could include social, occupational, sensory and nutritional. This will go a long way towards preventing any potential behavioural problems.

Age Range: 12 – 16 years Grooming Needs: Moderate.

The Belgian is a double-coated breed and will generally shed once or twice a year. Bathe only when dirty and clip nails regularly to keep your Belgian in great condition.

All in all, this breed is very much a wash and wear breed, with a desirable ‘no smell’ coat. A quick brush through a couple of times a week, with a grooming session brushing right down to the skin once a week, is generally sufficient grooming, with extra attention at moulting time.

Shaving or clipping is not recommended as the dog needs its natural insulation against all of the elements.

Possible Health Issues: The Belgian is a relatively healthy breed, although as with any breed of dog occasionally some health problems may occur. It is important that potential puppy buyers fully educate themselves and talk to many breeders about the health of their pedigree lines (the family tree!).

Parent dogs as a minimum should be hip, elbow and eye scored and free of disorders.

The puppy buyer should always ask for the parent dog’s health results, and also if there are any known health issues in the pedigree lines.

A good breeder will be familiar with any problems and be breeding away from them. DNA testing is now offering full breed profiles and many breeders are utilising this new science to further improve their lines.

The BSDCQ supports the Dogs Queensland requirement of DNA testing for parentage as a minimum.

Epilepsy is known to occur in some pedigree lines and unfortunately at this stage there is no test available that can assist breeders to eradicate it where transmitted genetically.

Make sure there are no known epileptic dogs in your puppy’s immediate family (siblings, parents etc).

REMEMBER: You will hopefully have this family member for at least 12years. DO YOUR RESEARCH. Don’t buy the first cute puppy you see. (and they are ALL cute).

ONGOING ASSISTANCE

A good breeder will give you a lifetime of support and beyond for your BSD.

Don’t wait until a problem becomes insurmountable before you reach out. Remember, breeders and experienced owners will have already experienced the same problem.

There are also many Facebook pages that you can join where there are members with a wealth of knowledge and experience for you to tap into, such as:

Belgian Shepherds Australia

Belgian Shepherds Dog Club of Queensland

Performance Belgian Shepherds Australia

THE BELGIAN SHEPHERD DOG CLUB OF QUEENSLAND

The Belgian Shepherd Dog Club of Queensland was formed in1990. The club aims to promote responsible breeding from health tested dogs, uphold the breed standard, and maintain the working ability of this breed.

Our member breeders are Australian National Kennel Club registered breeders of pedigree dogs.

The club welcomes members from across Australia, and invite those who share a passion in this breed to join to work together to achieve these goals.

The club has members who are active in show, obedience, agility, herding, lure coursing, tracking and other disciplines, but many members are families with a companion BSD.

The club offers discounted membership to breeders who signup their puppy buyers, so ask your breeder if they are a member of the BSDCQ.

Becoming a member of the BSDCQ entitles you to member privileges although many of our activities invite participation from non members too.

Please come along to club events to see what the club is all about and meet the members, breeders and their dogs. Events are listed on our Facebook site and linked off the website.

Email: secretary@bsdcq.comWebsite: www.bsdcq.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Belgian-Shepherd-Dog-Club-of-Queensland-Inc-346606645352344/