Belgian Laekenois: Your Complete Guide

The Belgian Laekenois hails from Belgium and is one of four native dogs in the country. This herding dog breed is relatively rare, and they are known for their protective instincts.

The Belgian Laekenois is fairly active and happy to be a working dog, though they may also make a decent family companion to the right family. It’s important to note that this dog is harder to adopt within the United States due to being a rarer breed.

If you are considering adding the Belgian Laekenois to your family, it’s important to learn all you can about this breed. Our complete guide gives you essential information about the temperament, care needs, and preferences of the Belgian Laekenois so you can help this dog thrive once they’re in your home.

Quick Look at the Belgian Laekenois

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Belgian Laekenois?

The Belgian Laekenois originated in Belgium around the 1800s, and this dog is one of four native breeds of Belgian shepherd dogs.

The Belgian Laekenois is the rarest Belgian shepherd dog, and they are distinctive for their coat color, texture, and length compared to dogs like the Belgian Malinois and Belgian Sheepdog. The Belgian Laekenois can be hard to adopt in the United States due to their rare nature and the lower numbers of this dog breed in general.

The Belgian Laekenois has historically been used as a herding dog, and this breed has strong protective instincts because of this. This breed is skilled at learning new things, and they were renowned as messenger dogs during both of the World Wars.

Today, the Belgian Laekenois is a popular choice for farms and other working environments, though they are becoming more popular as family companions.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized this breed in July 2020 into the herding group, and they are one of the newest breeds officially recognized by the AKC.

What Do Belgian Laekenois Look Like?

The Belgian Laekenois has a rather distinct appearance, and they have a wiry coat that can feel very dense to the touch. These dogs are typically seen in shades of fawn, red, or silver and grey, and they have black mask markings on their face.

The Belgian Laekenois has pointed ears and a longer tail, and these dogs are typically alert and keen with their expression. This breed does appear athletic, and they may be similar in build to other herding or sheepdogs.

What Size Is a Belgian Laekenois?

The Belgian Laekenois is a medium-sized dog, and males will stand between 24 and 26 inches at the shoulder while females will stand between 22 and 24 inches. This breed weighs between 55 and 65 pounds.

What Is a Belgian Laekenois’s Coat Type and Length?

The Belgian Laekenois has a rather distinctive coat that is both wiry and curly. The medium-length coat of this dog is a double coat, and it can look quite shaggy. When petting the Belgian Laekenois, their coat may feel rather thick or dense.

What Is a Belgian Laekenois’s Temperament?

The Belgian Laekenois is known to be alert, active, and affectionate. These dogs are very protective, and their herding instincts have them watching out for those in their family and making sure no threats enter their property.

These dogs are well-suited to life as a working dog or life on a farm, though they can easily be a family companion if they receive plenty of exercise to keep them happy.

The Belgian Laekenois is intelligent, and they often need to be trained and socialized from a young age to keep them happy and mentally stimulated. These dogs tend to be very aware of their environments, and they may be somewhat suspicious or mistrustful, though you can work on improving this behavior with training as needed.

Are Belgian Laekenois Good With Kids?

The Belgian Laekenois is generally good with older children, as they tend to herd the children they play with.

With younger children who play rough or loudly, this dog may nip at heels to keep the children in line, or the dog may not enjoy rougher play from children who don’t know how to safely interact with dogs yet. It’s important to monitor all interactions between your Belgian Laekenois and children for safety.

Are Belgian Laekenois Good With Other Animals?

Your Belgian Laekenois will likely prefer to be the only dog in a family, though they can get along well with other dogs that they need to work with on a farm or similar environment.

Because of this breed’s herding and hunting instincts, they are not a good choice for homes with small animals, such as very small dogs or cats, as they can play roughly, herding these animals, or displaying hunting and chasing behaviors.

Are Belgian Laekenois Aggressive?

The Belgian Laekenois is not known to be particularly aggressive, but they can display bored and destructive behaviors when they are not given proper training or exercise. These dogs must be socialized and trained from a young age, and they need plenty of time each day to be active outdoors in order to reduce bad behaviors.

Your dog will want to spend ample time with you and leaving them alone for long hours every day may also lead to destructive or unwanted behaviors.

Do Belgian Laekenois Bark?

The Belgian Laekenois isn’t the most vocal dog, but they may bark to alert their owners of a potential threat or intruder. Their barks can be loud, though this breed can be trained to avoid excessive barking or to suit an area with noise restrictions.

Are Belgian Laekenois Affectionate?

The Belgian Laekenois is a fairly affectionate breed, and this dog will enjoy spending as much time with their families as possible.

You can expect your dog to want to stay in the same rooms that you’re in, and they will enjoy both being active with you outdoors and settling down after a long day of play. These dogs can be somewhat wary of strangers, especially at night, and they might not warm up to others on their property that quickly.

Are Belgian Laekenois Intelligent?

Belgian Laekenois are very intelligent, and these dogs easily learn new things. You can expect your Belgian Laekenois to need regular and consistent training, and training isn’t the most difficult to achieve as these dogs tend to be eager to please their owners.

It’s important to train certain herding and hunting instincts in your dog so they are under your control and not tempted to chase or herd other animals or people when it’s not necessary.

Are Belgian Laekenois Energetic?

The Belgian Laekenois generally has a high energy level, and they will need two to three walks per day to stay happy. You should also expect to give your dog around an hour of dedicated playtime each day, and they will need regular visits to dog parks or other fenced-in outdoor areas where they can run around off-leash.

The Belgian Laekenois is very happy as a working dog, and they enjoy the activity that herding tasks provide.

Are Belgian Laekenois Easy to Train?

Belgian Laekenois are fairly easy to train, as these dogs are curious, alert, and intelligent. You can expect your Belgian Laekenois to learn complex tricks, and this dog may be a great candidate for agility training due to their energetic natures and athletic bodies.

Are Belgian Laekenois Good Watchdogs?

The Belgian Laekenois is a very good watchdog, as this dog is alert, protective, and brave. The herding and protecting instincts in this dog are strong, and they are wary of strangers, especially at nighttime. You can expect your dog to alert you of a potential threat with a loud bark, and this breed has no problem making themselves look intimidating to threats when necessary.

Are Belgian Laekenois Good Service Dogs?

Belgian Laekenois may be good service dogs, as they are the right size and strength for many important service tasks. However, these dogs require a lot of exercise and training to keep happy, and they do have strong herding instincts.

Your Belgian Laekenois may be too active to focus on service dog tasks without distractions throughout the day. This breed may still make a good emotional support animal or a therapy dog if their care and exercise requirements are met.

How to Care for a Belgian Laekenois?

The Belgian Laekenois is a rare breed and requires a certain set of care steps in order to stay happy around your home.

This dog is their happiest when working on a farm or in a similar environment, though they can easily become a beloved family companion to the right family. Exercise and training are essentials for this dog, and you should be training them and socializing them from a young age.

Give your Belgian Laekenois their own space in your home, and make sure they have plenty of toys and comfy places to sit when you aren’t around. These dogs shouldn’t be left alone for long hours, and they can be destructive when bored which is why ample training and exercise is necessary for this pup.

Make sure to feed your dog a healthy diet of wet or dry food and take them for regular veterinary visits to ensure they stay in good health throughout their life with you.

Do You Need to Groom a Belgian Laekenois?

Your Belgian Laekenois will have average grooming needs, and they will need to be trimmed by a professional groomer every so often. The coat of these dogs is wiry and curly, and brushing will be necessary at least twice a week to ensure their fur stays free of knots and feels its best. Bathe your dog and trim their nails as needed.

Do Belgian Laekenois Shed?

The Belgian Laekenois sheds about an average amount, with dogs that have thicker and curlier hair shedding the least. Regular brushes and baths help to contain fur and stop it from falling around your home constantly. The Belgian Laekenois is not considered a hypoallergenic dog breed.

What Health Problems Do Belgian Laekenois Have?

The Belgian Laekenois may be prone to certain health issues due to genetics, like many dogs. With this breed, keep an eye out for signs of skin allergies, hip or elbow dysplasia, heart disease, and eye problems. Monitoring your dog’s behavior and taking them for regular veterinary visits helps to catch any health issues and get them treated before they become more serious.

How Long Do Belgian Laekenois Live?

On average, the Belgian Laekenois will live between ten and twelve years. Your dog might live more or less than this depending on certain factors like their health and care routines.

What Should a Belgian Laekenois Eat?

In general, your Belgian Laekenois should eat between one and three cups a day of food. These dogs can be fairly active, and they will need a high-quality diet of wet or dry food split up into two or three meals each day.

The specific amount you feed your Belgian Laekenois depends on their size and the food you choose, and you can consult a veterinarian for more advice on feeding your Belgian Laekenois.

Is a Belgian Laekenois the Right Dog for Me?

The Belgian Laekenois is a rare herding dog originating in Belgium, and this breed may be difficult to encounter in the United States. These dogs are known for their herding and protecting instincts, their loyalty and affection, and their active nature.

The Belgian Laekenois is the right dog for you if you are looking to adopt one dog into an active family, if you have a farm or similar working environment for this pup, or if you have the time to dedicate to the ample training and exercise needs of this unique breed.