Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois)
Working

Group:

Working

Size:

large

Lifespan:

10-12 years

Exercise:

very high

Grooming:

medium

Trainability:

very high

Watchdog ability:

very high

Protection ability:

very high

Area of Origin:

Belgium

Date of Origin:

1800’s

Other Names:

Chien De Berger Belge

Original Function:

stock herding

History

Towards the end of the 19th Century, there were many varieties of sheep-herding dogs that existed on the European continent. While many of these dogs shared similar working abilities, type was quite varied. Fanciers, fearing extinction of many of the breeds, gathered to decide on a set of standards that would be the Belgian Shepherd Dog. While there was little confusion surrounding the structure and abilities of the dog, there was no common ground on what the coat type or colour should be. Therefore, four distinct varieties of the one breed emerged, based on coat-type. They were the Groenendael (known in America as the Belgian Sheepdog), the Teuverian, the Malinois, and the Laekenois (not recognised by the AKC); these varieties were named after the area in which they were most favoured. These energetic, smart dogs fit well into family and need plenty of outdoor activity, and excel in obedience if given the opportunity. The Laekenois is the rarest of the four varieties.

Temperament

These dogs exhibit the qualities inherent to true working dogs: alertness, protectiveness, confidence, extreme intelligence, and affection. This breed excels in obedience and makes a devoted family pet.

Upkeep

The Laekenois needs a good deal of exercise, either a good long jog or a long, strenuous play session. It needs room to move during the day and does best with access to a yard. Although it can live outdoors in temperate to cool climates, it is family-oriented and happier if it can share time in the house with its family. Its double coat needs brushing and combing twice weekly, more when shedding.

Official Breed Standard

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
Medium-sized dog, well proportioned, intelligent, attentive, hardy and alert.

CHARACTERISTICS:
With fine proportions and proud carriage of head, conveying an impression of graceful strength. Not only a sheep dog, but a guard dog.

Temperament:
Wary, neither timid, nervous nor aggressive.

Head and Skull:
Head finely chiselled, long but not excessively so. Skull and muzzle roughly equal in length, with at most slight bias in favour of muzzle, giving impression of a balanced whole. Skull of medium width in proportion to length of head, forehead flat, centre line not very pronounced; in profile, parallel to imaginary line extending muzzle line. Muzzle of medium length tapering gradually to nose. Nose black, well-flared nostrils. Moderate stop. Arches above eyes not prominent, muzzle finely chiselled under eyes. Cheeks spare, quite flat but well-muscled.

Eyes:
Medium size, neither protruding nor sunken, slightly almond shaped, preferably dark brown; black rimmed eyelids. Direct, lively and enquiring look.

Ears:
Distinctly triangular appearance, stiff and erect, set high, moderate length with external ear well rounded at base.

Mouth:
Wide, lips thin-textured, very firm, strongly pigmented. Strong white teeth firmly set in well developed jaws. Scissor bite, ie Upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Pincer bite tolerated.

Neck:
Very supple. Neck slightly elongated, well muscled and without dewlap, broadening slightly towards shoulders. Nape very slightly arched.

Forequarters:
Withers distinct, strongly boned throughout with wiry powerful muscle structure. Shoulder blades long and oblique, firmly attached, flat, forming such angle with humerus, as to enable elbows to work easily. Forelegs long, well muscled, parallel. Pasterns strong and short. Carpus clearly defined. Dewclaws permissible.

Body:
Body powerful but elegant. In males, length from point of shoulders to point of buttocks approximately equal to height at withers. In females slightly longer. Chest deep and well let down. Ribs moderately well sprung. Upper line of body straight, broad and powerfully muscled. Belly moderately developed, neither drooping nor unduly cut up, continuing lower line of chest in a graceful curve. Rump very slightly sloping, broad, but not excessively so. Skin springy but quite taut over whole body. All external mucous membrane highly pigmented.

Hindquarters:
Well-muscled and powerful. Good but not excessive angulation; hocks well let down. Viewed from behind, legs parallel. Dew claws to be removed.

Feet:
Toes arched, very close together; soles thick and springy with large dark claws. Forefeet round. Hindfeet slightly oval.

Tail:
Tail firmly set, strong at base, of medium length. When at rest, hangs down, with tip slightly bent backwards at level of hock; when moving it should lift accentuating curve towards tip, never curled, nor bent to one side. Tip may be carried slightly higher than topline.

Gait/Movement:
Brisk, free and even.

Coat:
Harsh, wiry dry, and not curly. Any sprinkling of fluffy fine hair in locks in rough coats is undesirable. Length of coat about 6 cms (2¹/2 ins) on all parts of body. Hair around eyes but not to obscure them. Muzzle hair not so long as to make head appear square or heavy. Tail not plumed.

Colour:
Reddish fawn with black shading, principally in muzzle and tail.

Size:
Ideal height: Dogs 61-66 cms (24-26 ins); Bitches 56-61 cms (22-24 ins). Weight in proportion to size.

Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.