Belgian Shepherd

History, origin & features

The Belgian Shepherd is a breed of shepherd that actually comprises 4 varieties: the Groenendael, the Tervueren, the Laekenois and the Malinois, distinguished mainly by their coats. These varieties were selected towards the end of the 19th century by a group of dog fanciers led by Professor Reul of the Cureghen Veterinary School. They were trying to bring order to a rather confused canine gene pool. The first standard was published in 1894, the starting point for all future breeding. The Belgian Shepherd is characterized by its docile, active character. Highly intelligent, they are equally at home as sheepdogs, guard and defense dogs, or Agility dogs (especially the Malinois), like their compatriot the Border Collie. Playful, they can also integrate easily into a family with children. The Belgian Shepherd is a medium-sized, proportionate, hardy dog. They are smaller, lighter and more supple than German Shepherds.

There are four varieties of coat in this breed:
black longhair (Groenendael) ;
fawn charcoal gray longhair (Tervueren);
fawn and black-tipped shorthair with black mask (Malinois);
wirehaired fawn with traces of black charcoal (Laekenois).
Because of its coat, considered the least beautiful of the four, the Laekenois has virtually disappeared from the canine scene.