Belgian Shepherd Dog Breed and Dog Character

If you want to get an easy-to-learn dog, amenable to commands and training, as well as playing the role of a family favorite, then it's time to consider a Belgian shepherd! The breed is universal, it is used as watchdogs and a great companion. Dogs are active, independent, organized, not lost in difficult situations. But let’s not be unfounded, let's study all the most important characteristics of the breed in order of priority. Also consider the intricacies of maintenance and care.

Historical data on the origin of the breed

It is difficult to surely restore the chain of events that led to the occurrence of the breed in question. But its first representatives appeared due to the hard work of a breeder from Belgium, which is why the breed got a “Belgian” registry.

A true breeder and experienced doctor began his activities in 1890. He set himself the task of making a shepherd dog a real guard and fighting dog endowed with the appropriate characteristics. In the future, the breed was to become the property of Belgium, as happened later. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, we will study step by step.

At the initial stage, the breeder-veterinarian managed to breed 4 species of breed. The animals did not differ much from each other. The difference was only in the quality and shade of the coat, as well as the length of the hull. Each breed line had its own names, taken from Belgian cities.

Since the veterinarian was originally from Tervuren, the first representatives were named just that. Another line of dogs - Malinois, descended from two derivatives "Raspberry" and "Mechelen".

Grunendahl-registered dogs are named after the city in which all breeding activities were actually carried out. The fourth line of this breed was called Lakenua, today the little-known and not very popular representatives.

Due to the extensive breeding activity of each of the four rulers, their own standards have been attributed. They affect the appearance of pets. Standards were adopted in the 20th century and have not changed to this day. We will consider them below.

Wool color

It was previously mentioned that today there are 4 lines of the breed. Each of them has its own characteristics that affect the appearance of the coat and the color itself. To determine which line of Belgian Shepherd is in front of you, it is possible by the coat. Check out to keep in mind.

1. Tervuren is distinguished by red wool with a charcoal hue. The coat is long and two-layer. According to generally accepted breed standards, white marks in the chest area are allowed.
2. Groenendael is famous for its fluffy undercoat with water-repellent oily impregnation. Thick wool consists of two layers, the top is long, stiff. The cover is not allowed to be glossy, curly, silky and soft. Otherwise, it will slide into tangles, which is uncharacteristic for representatives of the breed. As a rule, groenendals are black, but there may also be white spots on the paws or chest.
3. Malinois is most common. Short-haired shepherd dogs with a reddish hue with black spots. On the face, there must be a black mask that distinguishes this line from others. There are also black marks on the ends of the ears.
4. Lakenua is still not recognized in some countries, however, this line has certain standards. Representatives of the breed have wool of a reddish hue with white marks.The coat is hard to the touch. On the face there is no black mask, like its predecessors. But according to the standard, dark-colored hair can be on the tail and head.

Breed standard

Since all the above representatives of the breed are similar in physique, it is not necessary to consider each line separately. We give general standards that will suit all Belgian Shepherd Dogs. It is worth mentioning immediately that the animals are distinguished by a powerful medium-sized body. They are harmoniously folded, famous for their developed muscles and endurance. First of all, when choosing a pet, they pay attention to external characteristics.

1. Weight and height. Dogs can not be called heavyweights due to the fact that they seem voluminous due to the thick coat. By weight category, females with males are almost identical, there is no gender superiority in this regard. Body weight ranges from 25-30 kg. As for growth, females are lower than males, they are 55 to 63 cm tall. Males are 60–65 cm.
2. Head. It rises high enough, not too long, perfectly in harmony with the physique as a whole. Dry, clearly defined, is visible. The length of the muzzle with the skull is almost equal. The skull is not very wide, but not narrow, rather medium. The forehead is flat, has no bulges. There are grooves on it. On the head in the back is a tubercle (nape). The muzzle tapers towards the nose, on which there is a black pigment lobe. The dog's lips are also pigmented with dark, so it seems that the dog is smiling. Lips fit tightly, do not hang down. They are not fat. The ears of the dog are rounded in the base zone, have a triangular shape and sharp ends. Set high, as can be seen when the dog is interested.
3. Eyes. As for the eyes, they are medium in size. The iris must be brownish, a yellow tint is not acceptable. The eyes are slanted in shape, the eyes are straight, a dumb question is read in it.
4. Teeth. They are located on powerful jaws; during the grip, the animal keeps its prey with fangs. The bite is correct, for a serious defective creation, a situation is considered when one jaw slightly or strongly protrudes forward. According to generally accepted standards, representatives of the breed may have a scissor or a direct bite. The teeth have no gaps, but the absence of two premolars is allowed. The cheekbones of the dog are thick, the muscles in this area are dry.
5. Body type. The neck itself has no suspension, it is muscular, expands to the area of ​​the shoulder blades. Straight and long, which once again emphasizes the status of the breed. The chest is not too wide, but not narrowed, it is medium in size, deep and voluminous. The additional size of the chest gives the coat. The belly of the dogs of the presented breed does not sag, moderately tightened, there is no sharp transition to the groin. The body itself is powerful, but there is no aggression in appearance. The dog is taut and harmoniously folded without excessive steepness. The pronounced withers flows into the straight back and slightly lowered and rounded croup.
6. Limbs. Paws are strong, the front is clearly longer than the rear. The backbone is muscular, but not heavy; the dog does not look bulky. Dry muscles are equally well developed on all four limbs. The shoulder blades are elongated, the shoulders are wide and muscular. The limbs are straight, which gives the dog a status and harmony.
7. Tail. Set low, in a calm state the dogs are always lowered. When the animal is interested, the tail rises and twists a little. But it is not allowed by standards that it should be crocheted or hanging on its side.

Breed character

Despite external differences, all dogs from the four lines are almost identical in nature. A lot of advantages and almost no cons - it's all about Belgian shepherds.

1. Dogs are unpretentious by nature, ready for any work, including heavy physical service. Most often, they are hired by an emergency rescue team or emergency aid.
2. On the other hand, beautifully built dogs have a shutter speed, ideal for protecting premises and territories. But the dogs are not designed to sit on a leash, they need a revelry. Fearlessness gives the shepherd a charm.
3. Representatives of the breed love to dominate a person, but this applies only to those who can not declare themselves as an authority. For this reason, a dog of this breed needs a master with a strong character.
4. Shepherd dogs are good-natured in relation to family and children. They can distinguish a five-year-old from a one-year-old child, in games they compare their sizes with the size of a child. Pets are complaisant, learn quickly and give in to training.
5. Since shepherd dogs were considered shepherd by their historical past, over time they did not lose their skills and did not become more vicious. Dogs are disciplined, kind, active, with a stable nervous system.
6. If the dog has already grown enough, it formed all the instincts for the protection and guard of the owner. When the owner walks the dog, the shepherd is wary of others and, in case of a threat, will show his qualities as a guard.
7. Despite the ability to protect the owner, the dog is not negatively tuned to guests or ordinary passers-by if they do not raise suspicion. The dog will behave with restraint, not cowardly.

Training and education

1. Before acquiring such a wonderful breed, you should not exclude the fact that in fact you let a very energetic ball of wool into your home. Puppies are distinguished by curiosity and activity. It is not recommended to leave the pet alone until it grows up. As soon as the puppy begins to play pranks, distract him with toys.
2. Such simple procedures will allow the animal to understand what you can play with and what not. In no case do not show aggression and physical strength when raising a puppy. The dog can get a huge psychological trauma. The pet will be afraid of everything, including you. Also, he will not succumb to training.
3. This breed is great for all members of the family, while the dog must be properly raised. Otherwise, the pet may be angry and aggressive towards outsiders. For a simple person, a dog can be a potential threat. If the dog feels something is wrong, he can begin to act independently.
4. In the modern world, professional dog handlers require restraint and unwavering obedience from shepherds. The dog must obey and protect the owner. In this case, the shepherd should act only after he hears the appropriate command.
5. Do not exclude the fact that the breed presented needs constant communication with a person. If the animal is not socialized, and little time is devoted to it, the shepherd becomes wayward and stubborn. During training, forget about the use of rudeness, screaming and physical impact. Shepherds are hypersensitive.
6. Only in extreme cases, the pet can occasionally pull the leash. The advantage of this breed is that the pet always reacts to the atmosphere that prevails in the family. The dog perfectly feels the mood of the owner. It is strongly discouraged to ignore the animal, otherwise the shepherd will suffer.
7. The breed in question has excellent memory. Therefore, with the proper upbringing of the pet, he will not have difficulty in mastering basic commands and skills. Also, the owner does not have to repeat monotonously the same thing over and over again many times. It is worth considering that when raising a shepherd, you have to go beyond the classical program.
8. If you are not going to use the dog for its intended purpose, it needs to find an activity. It is recommended to participate with a pet in various sports events and competitions. The dog must be given 3 hours of physical activity. Only in this way will he be able to maintain his form and excellent mood.
9. An important fact remains that the dog needs to be socialized as early as possible. It is recommended to deal with such a procedure immediately after the animal is given all the necessary vaccinations. With a puppy, it is sometimes recommended to walk around the city.
10. The dog needs to be given the opportunity to communicate with strangers and animals. The pet must learn to behave in transport and society. If you do not do such procedures, the dog will bark at the car. Also, the pet can bite passers-by or, on the contrary, be afraid and constantly hide. At the initial level of education, it is recommended to wear a muzzle on the dog.

Breed content

1. The Belgian Shepherd was originally bred as a breed that lives in the open. Therefore, there is nothing specific in caring for animals. If you want your pet to always look great, you have to make some efforts. The most important thing in this matter is quality nutrition.
2. The dog also needs timely vitamin courses. If the animal eats poorly, he will not have a beautiful coat. The development of bone tissue, and even character, also depends on the feed. It is not so important what you will feed the pet. He can cook on his own or buy premium food.
3. The main condition in this matter remains a properly composed diet. Also, do not exclude the fact that the dog prefers. Otherwise, care will not cause any additional difficulties. The pet needs to be combed out with a comb or massage glove 1 time per week. During molting, the procedure should be carried out every day.
4. If you do not remove dead hair, your dog may develop skin irritation and even eczema. There is nothing critical in this and the pathology can be cured. But only at this time the pet will suffer. Keep in mind eczema has been treated for a rather long time. It is enough to bathe an animal up to 4 times a year.
5. It is worth highlighting that the Belgian Shepherd is strictly forbidden to bathe with unprofessional means. Shampoo should be directed specifically for the breed presented. Otherwise, the pet may develop dermatitis. You can detect the disease only in the acute stage. Slight redness is invisible due to the undercoat.

A Belgian shepherd should be started only if you have enough time. You also need to lead an active lifestyle. Such a dog will not be able to sit at home all day, especially alone. The pet needs to be given the opportunity to splash out all the accumulated energy in various games and trainings. Shepherd dogs need to be given regular physical activity, without this, the dog will lose shape, and will constantly be in an apathetic state.

Video: Belgian Shepherd Dog Breed