Belgian Shepherd Groenendael
Other names:
Chien de Berger Belge, Belgian Shepherd, Belgian SheepdogOrigin
The Belgian Shepherd dog is the only breed in the world that comes in 4 varieties: the long-haired black ‘Groenendael’, the long-haired fawn, red or grey ‘Tervueren’, the short-coated red, fawn or grey ‘Malinois’ and the rarer rough-coated reddish fawn ‘Laekenois’. Originating from Belgium, they are named after the areas in Belgium from which they came Groenendael, Tervuren, Malines and Laeken. Hard working sheepdogs from Belgium have been recognised since the Middle Ages. At this time the type varied greatly and breeding was based on working ability. As they were bred locally certain common characteristics began to appear. In the 1890’s a Professor of the Belgian School of Veterinary Sciences recorded standards for the various types of Belgian sheepdogs. It was noted that they were all similar in type with the main difference being the coat. The Professor then divided them into varieties and advised breeding them as separate breeds. Once there were as many as eight varieties; now there are only four. The Groenendael was developed from a black bitch of the Belgian sheepdog type being crossed with another black herding dog. The resulting litter became the precedent of the Groenendael. The breeding schedule of these dogs suffered during the war. During the war they were used to find wounded soldiers and to carry messages at the front. The first Belgian Sheepdog Club can be traced back to 1893, and the name Groenendael was officially chosen in 1910.
Description
The Groenendael is a medium sized, longhaired dog that appears square in its outline. Although they are often confused with the ‘long-haired German Shepherd Dog’ by the general public, they are squarer in profile; lighter in bone and more refined in head, with a light, brisk movement.
| Size | Large |
| Colour | The Groenendael is black in colour. They may have limited white on the chest and toes. |
| Coat Length | Medium Long |
| Weight/Height Range | Dogs should measure between 61-66cms at the withers and bitches should ideally measure between 56-61cms at the withers. They weigh between 27.5-28.5kgs. |
| Ailments | Anyone looking for a puppy should make sure that both parents are hip-scored and eyes are tested. Hip status in the breed is generally excellent but that’s not to say that there haven’t been the odd high scores. Epilepsy has occurred (and still does occur) in the breed but breeders have worked hard to reduce the incidence to a minimum. |
| Breed Classification | The Groenendael is a member of the pastoral group. They were originally used for herding livestock; today they are used as watchdogs and as companions. |
Feeding & Ownership
The Groenendael is an undemanding dog to feed with no special dietary requirements; they generally have a good appetite.
| Food Cost | $15 to $20 |
Personality
The Groenendael is a devoted companion and does not make an ideal kennel dog, as they become bored and destructive. They are very affectionate and totally devoted to their families. Not a breed for those wanting ‘just a dog’. The Belgian wants to join in with everything including doing the washing up, digging the garden etc. They will protect their home and family but it is not advisable to encourage their guarding instincts when young, as they can get confused and start guarding you in inappropriate situations. Their natural guarding instincts will kick in, if and when necessary.
| Intelligence | The Groenendael is an intelligent dog that learns very quickly. A gentle but consistent approach is the best way to train this dog. They should be socialised from a very early age |
| Energy | High |
| Suitability for Children | High |
| Tendency to Bark | Medium |
| Overall Exercise Requirement | They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation and to this end they excel at agility and obedience. They are very active dogs and should not be considered as pets if they are to be left alone all day. |
| Suitability as a Guard Dog | High |
| Ease of Transportation | Medium |
| Level of Aggression | Medium |
| Other Animal Compatibility | Medium |
Grooming
The Groenendael is a longhaired dog that needs a fair amount of grooming. They have a long, straight and profuse outercoat with an extremely dense undercoat.
| Grooming Requirements | More than once a week |
| Amount of Hair Shed | Moderate |
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