Belgian Laekenois

The Belgian Shepherd is a large light-weight herding dog often found in agricultural and police work, rather than simply being a pet. With a history that dates back hundreds of years, the breed has an incredibly strong drive to work. They are highly intelligent with boundless energy and requires an active owner who will keep it engaged to avoid boredom.

Belgian Shepherds often develop strong relationships with their owners and can be very sensitive to emotional stress. However, some Belgian Shepherds may also have a tendency to try and dominate humans, which is why the breed is not generally recommended for novice dog owners. The breed of Belgian Shepherd is typically known as a guardian dog who displays defensive behavior when it or its family members are threatened in any way.

The Belgian Shepherd is actually four different dogs, all of which have very distinct outward appearances. These include the Laekenois, Malinois, Sheepdog, and Tervuren. In fact, many parts of the world consider them to be separate breeds entirely. Even though they vary in their coat type and coloration, they share similar physical traits and temperaments.

Belgian Shepherds are high-maintenance dogs that need a lot of exercise and regular grooming. They are also prone to hereditary health problems, so it’s important to study the family history before buying a puppy. The average life expectancy for Belgian Shepherds is 10 to 12 years.

The Belgian Laekenois, pronounced lak-in-wah, is named for his home of origin: the town Laeken. He’s not only the rarest of the four Belgian herding breeds but also the only one currently not recognized by American Kennel Club. Despite his medium size, he has a personality that screams guard dog.

The little-known Belgian herding dog has a long, lean head with prick ears. He has a square body and his coat is rough and comes in red, fawn or grayish tones. This gives him the look of a boy who has just had his hair tousled. His expression is intelligent and inquisitive . It clearly says “I’m ready for action!” Like the other Belgian herding breeds, he is always in motion when not under command.

The Laekenois is an intelligent dog breed that is known for being alert, brave, and devoted. They have a natural instinct to protect their family members and property from strangers. With people that they know well, they are affectionate and friendly. However, with family members they can be possessive of their attention and always want to be near them.

The Laekenois remains vigilant when there are strangers present and watches them carefully in case any action needs to be taken but never appears to be afraid or vicious around them.

The Laekenois is an indoor/outdoor dog that needs access to a secure yard, but should spend most of their time with the family.

  • Group AKC Herding
  • Origin Belgium
  • Size Large
  • Weight 65 to 75 pounds
  • Coat Length Medium
  • Coat Type Rough, Wiry
  • Colors Fawn, Red, Black & Tan, Mahogany, Fawn Sable, Red Sable
  • Other Names Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laeken), Chien De Berger Blege
  • Temperament Alert, Active, Energetic, Lively, Protective, Watchful

Breed Characteristics

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