Belgian shepherd: a dog breed with as many as four varieties
The Belgian shepherd (chien de berger belge or Belgian shepherd dog) is a dog breed native to Belgium, specifically selected for its use in livestock breeding and as a guard dog.
Its ancestors are the same as those of the German Shepherd.
This breed has as many as four varieties, Malinois, Tervuren, Laekenois and Groenendael.
Each of these varieties differs in physical appearance, fur type, and temperament.
The recognition of race
To overcome the existing disorder, Professor Reul, in 1891, founded the Belgian Shepherd Dog Club in Brussels to structure the breed, focusing on coat type: rough-haired, short-haired and long-haired.
The tawny carbonate short-haired variety, the Malinois, was officially recognized in 1909.
The long-haired black Groenendael and long-haired tawny varieties, the Tervuren, were recognized along with the Malinois and Laekenois (rough-haired) in 1901.
Morphological differences
Each variety of Belgian Shepherd has distinctive morphological characteristics.
The Malinois, characterized by a short, sparse coat, has a slender, muscular body with a tapered muzzle.
The Tervuren has a long, silky coat, with coloring ranging from fawn to gray, often with black undertones.
Its morphology is similar to that of the Malinois, but it is generally more robust.
The Laekenois is particularly recognizable by its rough, shaggy fur.
The Groenendael, finally, is famous for its thick, shiny black fur, which gives it an elegant and majestic appearance.
The temperament of the Belgian Shepherd
Generally, Belgian Shepherds are alert and active dogs, always ready for action.
They tend to form strong bonds with members of their human family and are very protective of them, especially children, with whom they love to interact.
Their intelligence and energy require constant mental and physical stimulation.
It is important to provide the Belgian Shepherd with an environment full of stimulating activities, such asagility, as well as many simple daily walks, so that he can express his talents to the fullest.
But Belgian Shepherds are also extremely sensitive dogs that should always be treated with due consideration: harshness and violent approaches, including verbal ones, cause them to become defensive and hostile.
The Malinois: a police dog
The Belgian shepherd, particularly the Malinois variety, is widely used by police forces around the world for drug detection.
And yet, Belgian Shepherds are also used in rescue, especially in rescue operations during natural disasters.
Their agility and exceptional flair make them the ideal dogs for finding missing people and working as a team with rescuers.
Pathologies to pay attention to
Like many dog breeds, the Belgian Shepherd is prone to certain diseases.
– Hip dysplasia: a genetic condition that causes a deformity of the hip joint, causing pain and difficulty in movement.
– Elbow dysplasia: affects the elbow joint and causes lameness.
– Myopathy: Some specimens may suffer from hereditary myopathies, which affect muscle strength and coordination.
– Eye problems: several eye diseases, such as cataracts, can occur in old age.
– Epileptic: Some Belgian pastors may develop epilepsy, which involves recurrent seizures.
Proper nutrition, regular veterinary visits and physical activity are key to keeping the Belgian shepherd healthy and preventing the onset of disease.
To have your Belgian Shepherd checked, for fecal examination and vaccines or for periodic check-ups, contact the veterinary doctors on our staff who are always available to you.
We would also like to remind you that Clinica La Veterinaria is always open h24 every day including holidays and with First Aid service from 8 pm to 8 am.
