Herding Dog Group - Belgian Shepherd Dogs

All four varieties (Groenendael, Tervueren, Malinois, and the Laekenois) were developed from sheepdogs toward the end of the 19th century. The Groenendael is the most popular variety of Belgian Shepherd Dog.

Coat: Groenendael and Tervueren: long, straight, and abundant, with an extremely dense undercoat. Malinois: very short on head, cars, lower legs, short on rest of body. Laekenois: harsh, wiry, and dry.

Color: Groenendael: black; black with limited white; frosting (white or gray) on muzzle. Tervueren: all shades of red, fawn, gray, with black overlap. Malinois: all shades of red, fawn, gray, with black overlap. Laekenois: reddish fawn with black shading.

Features: Finely chiseled head; medium-size eyes; cars distinctly triangular in appearance, stiff and erect; powerful but elegant body, broad-chested; medium-length tail, firmly set on and strong at the base.

Size: Height: dogs 24 - 26 in, bitches 22 - 24 in. Weight: about 62 lb.

Care: Needs plenty of exercise and regular grooming.

Character: Intelligent and attentive, it works well in obedience trials and makes an excellent guard. Very protective, and can be kept in the home.