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Belgian
Shepherd Dog
(Groenendael: Tervuren:
Malinois: Laekenois)
The
Belgian Shepherd Dog is a breed consisting of four sheep dog
varieties, all of which are very elegant-looking and
hard-working animals.
History:
The early ancestors of the
Belgian Shepherd Dog were probably those depicted in the
drawings accompanying the Duke of Hapsburg in the fifteenth
century. By the 1800s there were at least four closely related
varieties of sheep dogs in Belgium and other European
countries. However, as more land was fenced off and
industrialization took its toll, sheep dogs were needed in far
fewer numbers.
Breeders
decided that these similar dogs should all be called the
Belgian Shepherd Dog. Four varieties of the breed would be
recognized, depending upon their coat types. The Groenendael
is long-haired and colored black with small white markings;
the Tervuren is also long-haired but colored red, fawn or
gray, while the Malinois is short-haired and red, fawn or gray
with a black overlay; and the Laekenois's rough coat is
reddish fawn with shades of black, although the Laekenois is
not recognized in the USA.
The
Belgian Shepherd Dog has exceled itself as a fearless war dog.
It was capable of carrying messages under terrifying
conditions and across hazardous terrain during the First World
War. More recently, the Belgian Shepherd Dog has served as a
police dog and a guard dog.
Physical
characteristics:
An elegant, symmetrical dog
with a graceful appearance. Height: 24 - 26 in (61 - 66 cm)
for the dog and 22 - 24 in (56 - 61 cm) for the bitch. Weight:
66 lb (30 kg) under FCI standards elsewhere weight is
proportionate to height. The Belgian Shepherd Dog has a long
sharp face with a tapering muzzle. The lively medium-sized
eyes are very slightly oval and set well in. The straight,
upright ears are triangular with a rounded base. The body
consists of a long, straight, muscular back, with a stomach
curving up to make a waist. The medium-to-long tail hangs down
and is carried when the dog is in motion.
Behavior:
This tall dog is very
confident in its manner and usually very calm. It appears to
go about its business in a very easy-going manner.
The
Belgian Shepherd is excellent both as a watch-dog and as a
guard dog. It has a powerful bark and a determined brave
spirit. Although it can be made to be aggressive, it is still
readily controllable in experienced hands, and so makes a
wonderful law enforcement dog.
The Belgian Shepherd is
normally very sociable with other dogs because of its size and
confident manner. Naturally, if it is confined it may be
highly territorial towards other dogs passing by.
Although
the Belgian Shepherd originated as a working dog, its usually
gentle nature makes it ideal as a companion animal. Like most
former working dogs, it thrives on the attention of its
owners. This dog will be most happy when carrying out tasks
and activities to please you.
When
training the Belgian Shepherd, the owner should be aware that
it still retains a strong herding instinct and chase reflex;
it may have a tendency to take off after moving objects.
This
large, intelligent dog does require plenty of exercise and may
become disgruntled if closely confined. Be sure not to
overfeed your Belgian Shepherd Dog. It has a tendency to
overeat, especially if it is only exercised sometimes and is
bored.
These
dogs have few common ailments but the long-haired varieties
should be regularly brushed to maintain coat condition. Excess
hair in the ears and between the toes should be removed.
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