The Belgian Shepherd is a breed that includes four different varieties coming from Belgium: Laekenois, Tervueren, Malinois and Groenendael, the latter known as the Belgian Shepherd Dog in the United States where its canine associations, such as the prestigious American Kennel Clubthey consider them four different races.
However, for the International Cynological Federation it’s about one raceanatomically identical that vary in the texture, color and length of the coat, each of them receiving the name of the area or city of Belgium in which it was developed: Groenendael, Laeken, Tervuren and Mechelen.
The origin of the Belgian Shepherd
Just like him german shepherdthe story of the Belgian shepherd is associated with his first “profession”, that of guardian of flocks. During the 19th century it was common for one or more dogs to perform the function of controlling, defending and managing herds of farm animals in Belgium.
But at that time there was a considerable variety in this class of dogs that did not behave with the same efficiency. In order to improve the skills of these animals, a professor from the Cureghem School of Veterinary Medicine led a group of breeders to shape the future breed of Belgian Shepherd that is officially born, according to the FCI, between 1891 and 1897 The Belgian Shepherd Dog Club was founded, in which a total of 117 specimens were registered.
Due to the limited size of farms in Belgium, sheepdogs were almost the “owners” of themdoing almost everything, according to Linda Friedow, the president of the American Belgian Malinois Club’s judge training committee: “from tending the farm, herding, pulling carts and controlling small flocks of sheep, goats, geese and ducks.”
It was in 1911 when the Belgian Shepherd arrived in the United States, while in Europe the Belgian Shepherd Dog Club concluded that it was a single breed with three varieties of hair.
Belgian Shepherd, a hypervigilant dog very attached to its guardian
His heritage as a tireless worker and as a sentinel on farms has shaped a hypervigilant character, with an innate aptitude for protecting what he considers his, which is why he has become a guardian of homes and property.
Likewise, he is a very solicitous dog so that he will never give “no” for an answer to his guardian nor will you see him shirking his “responsibilities.” In this sense, therefore, it is a dog suitable only for people with enough time to care for it since it usually generates a kind of “anxious attachment” with his tutor.
So it is one of those breeds that perfectly fulfills the old adage that the dog is the best friend of the human being: a Belgian Shepherd will accompany you everywhere… literally, as Friedow says: “My Malinois wants to know where I am. and what I’m doing at all times. I never go upstairs or go to the bathroom alone.”.
But the FCI points out that, despite his impetuous and alert temperament and his confident character, he should not show fear, but neither aggressivenessan aspect that, if it appears, must be corrected with adequate education from puppyhood, whenever possible.
Care and precautions for the Belgian Shepherd: a demanding dog
The Belgian Shepherd is not a greyhound that barely barks and sleeps for a good part of the day: it is a breed that is demanding of its guardian, both in terms of knowledge dog training as in time and dedication.
But fear not, it is a very intelligent dog He learns quickly due to his work instinct that he acquired as a shepherd and guard dog. It is a matter of teaching him to behave appropriately in his environment, both with other animals and with people. In this sense, it is important that you realize that You should not “overprotect” your guardian nor to its properties because it could be counterproductive.
Likewise, due to their athletic nature and restless temperament, they will need a good dose of walks and daily exercise: they are great guardian companions. sports fanssuch as running, hiking and cycling.
How to differentiate the varieties of the Belgian Shepherd?
Although, as we have said, their anatomy and character are similar in all varieties, their appearance is diverse due, mainly, to their hair. Common to all of them is an abundant, tight coat of good texture, forming together with the undercoat, which is woolly, an excellent protective layer. But beyond this, they can be distinguished by the following characteristics:
- Groenendael: long chestnut black hair.
- Tervueren: Long carbon red and carbon gray hair under a black mask.
- Malinois: short hair with a well-pronounced mask and only carbon red with a black mask.
- Laekenois: hard red hair only with traces of carbonado mainly on the snout and tail.
The jobs of the Belgian shepherd: catching Bin Laden
To give you an idea of the character and demand but also of the enormous capacity for work and cunning of the Belgian Shepherd, you should know that it is one of the most common breeds in the world of work, from ambulance dogs to military dogs and, of course, substance detection dogs.
But one of the most famous professional Belgian shepherds in the world (with book even) was Cairo, the dog who helped the SEAL command catch (and kill) Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011: “Cairo was my dog and I was his father. I don’t use that term as a euphemism. The relationship between a handler and a SEAL canine is deep and intimate. It goes far beyond friendship and the usual ties that unite man and dog. The training is experiential and all-encompassing, a lifelong immersion designed to foster not just experience, but a bond of rare depth and complexity.”
This is how Will Chesney defined the relationship between a trainer and a Belgian military shepherd. Cairo retired from service in 2013 dying of cancer in 2015.
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