Belgian Shepherd: Your Complete Guide

The Belgian shepherd is an umbrella term used for Belgium’s sheep herding dogs. There are four varieties of the Belgian shepherd, each with unique physical attributes, temperament, work ethic, and coat type.

The four varieties of the Belgian shepherd include the Groenendael, Tervuren, Laekenois, and Malinois. All these breeds are distinct and are recognized by major kennel clubs across the world, including the American Kennel Club (AKC). However, note that the AKC currently recognizes all the varieties except the Belgian Groenendael. Among all these different varieties, the Malinois is the most famous, particularly when it comes to police and military work.

While there are distinct traits of the Belgian shepherd dogs, our breed guide will go over the common points that everyone interested in learning more about these dogs should know. Read on to learn all about Belgian shepherds from our guide.

Quick Look at the Belgian Shepherd

Below is a quick glance at Belgian shepherd dogs. We will cover each point in the coming parts to help you learn more.

Weight/Height	45-75 pounds / 22-26 inches
Coat Type	Short or medium length
Grooming Needs
Shedding
Temperament	Intelligent, work-oriented, trainable, loyal
Good With Kids
Good With Other Animals
Intelligence
Easy to Train
Energy Level
Barking Habits
Lifespan	12-14 years

What Is the History of Belgian Shepherds?

Belgian shepherds share the same direct descendants as other Western European sheep herding dogs, such as the Dutch shepherd and German shepherd. However, the standardization for Belgian sheep herding dogs came much later than other breeds that share the same ancestry. 

In fact, this lack of standardization and industrialization nearly drove Belgian sheep herding dogs to extinction. The breed enthusiasts formed the Club de Chien Berger Belge in 1891 and made efforts to revive the breed’s numbers and standardize the Belgian shepherd.

It is believed that the first variety that was standardized was the Groenendael, followed by the Tervuren, Malinois, and lastly the Laekenois. However, there’s only a decade or two between the different varieties. The Belgian Malinois was the variety that appeared similar to the Belgian shepherds prior to the standardization period, and thus, the other varieties were commonly referred to as “other than the Malinois” by locals.

However, the Groenendael was the most popular variety, followed by the Tervuren and then the Malinois until the 21st century. The AKC’s most popular dog breeds list proves this, as the Malinois leaves behind other Belgian shepherds.

What Do Belgian Shepherds Look Like?

Because the Belgian shepherd refers to a group of dogs, you will find a wide range of coat colors in these dogs. Here’s a quick overview of the coat colors to expect from different varieties:

• Groenendael: Solid-black
• Tervuren: Black and fawn, black and mahogany, gray and black, silver and black, fawn and liver, brindle
• Laekenois: Black and tan, fawn, mahogany, red sable, fawn sable, cream
• Malinois: Fawn, mahogany

It is also worth noting that, although Belgian shepherds are from specific regions of Belgium, there may be minor coat color variations due to regional differences.

What Size Is a Belgian Shepherd?

Belgian shepherds are all fairly large dogs. Depending on the exact variety, they can stand between 22 and 26 inches tall and weigh 45 to 75 pounds. The Tervuren tends to be the bulkiest, while the Malinois is the leanest. Among the different varieties, the Malinois is also considered to be the most physically capable, which is one of the main reasons why they are commonly utilized by law enforcement agencies.

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

The coat of the Belgian shepherd ranges between short and medium in length. The texture can be straight or wiry – the Belgian Malinois, for example, has a short coat, whereas the Belgian Tervuren has a medium-length double coat. The variety you get will directly impact their coat care needs, though all Belgian shepherds are generally easy to care for in this regard. We cover the coat care needs of these dogs in detail below.

What Is a Belgian Shepherd’s Temperament?

The Belgian shepherd might be four distinct dogs, but they all share certain personality traits, such as being work-oriented and energetic. After all, they are working dogs that thrive when they have a job to do. While this was sheep herding in the past (and still is for many dogs), their high trainability and intelligent nature also make Belgian shepherds suitable for a variety of jobs.

However, Belgian shepherds aren’t solely working dogs. There’s much more to their temperament than above. Here’s more on the temperament traits you should expect from Belgian shepherd dogs.

Are Belgian Shepherds Good With Kids?

Belgian shepherds, regardless of the variety, generally do well with kids. However, due to their large size and energetic nature, these dogs are a better fit for families with older children. Although they can do perfectly well with young children, any of the Belgian shepherd dogs getting excited and accidentally knocking them over can lead to injuries, both for children and the dogs as well. Keep this in mind before considering a Belgian shepherd.

However, with an adult’s supervision, a Belgian shepherd can do well with children of all ages. It all comes down to supervision and teaching kids to behave well around dogs.

Are Belgian Shepherds Good With Other Animals?

All the Belgian shepherds are sheep herding dogs. Therefore, they have high prey drives; any moving object, especially anything small, triggers their instincts to chase. Due to this, Belgian shepherds are generally not the best choice for households with prey animals like guinea pigs or rabbits. With cats, they can do well if raised together, though supervision is essential to prevent any conflict.

When it comes to a Belgian shepherd’s relationship with other dogs, it depends on socialization. A well-socialized Belgian shepherd will do well with friendly dogs they meet during walks and dog parks. If not socialized properly, the energetic and highly driven side of the Belgian shepherd dogs can cause trouble. Always prioritize training and socialization to ensure your Belgian shepherd is well-behaved around other dogs.

Are Belgian Shepherds Aggressive?

Belgian shepherds aren’t aggressive at all, but their overall temperament may make them appear so to those who are unfamiliar with energetic and highly driven dogs. These dogs may bark more than the average dog or pull on the leash, for example. Generally, reactivity is a common problem with Belgian shepherd dogs, which shouldn’t be mistaken for aggression; reactivity can have an easy fix.

However, any dog breed, particularly breeds as driven and energetic as Belgian shepherds, can be prone to aggression. As mentioned above, always prioritize training and socialization when raising a Belgian shepherd, regardless of the variety, to ensure you have a well-mannered adult in the end.

Do Belgian Shepherds Bark?

Belgian shepherds are moderate barkers. They don’t always bark at everything they see, but may do so to get attention or alert their family of something suspicious. Among the different varieties, the Malinois tend to bark the most, while the Laekoenois is generally the quietest. 

However, individual temperament is key when it comes to barking tendencies, regardless of variety. Any Belgian shepherd, regardless of the exact variety, can be surprisingly quieter or louder. If barking ever becomes a problem, check out our End Excessive Barking Course to learn what actions you can take to prevent barking from becoming a problem.

Are Belgian Shepherds Affectionate?

Belgian shepherds are overall affectionate dogs that enjoy receiving any kind of attention from their loved ones. They enjoy being pet, getting praise, and cuddling up with their people. This affectionate side of Belgian shepherds becomes even more apparent when they are satisfied with their day. That’s why meeting their exercise and mental stimulation needs on a daily basis is critical for a happy Belgian shepherd.

Despite this fairly affectionate side, note that Belgian shepherds can be a little aloof around strangers. They don’t warm up to strangers quickly but tend to accept their presence after checking in with the owner that they don’t mean harm.

Are Belgian Shepherds Intelligent?

All the Belgian shepherd varieties are highly intelligent dogs. In fact, they are considered to be among the most intelligent working dog breeds in the world. However, this intelligence isn’t just about learning new things, which we will cover below; it is also functional and problem-solving intelligence, which is the reason why they are utilized across a wide field of jobs, from law enforcement and military work to search and rescue.

Having an intelligent dog is something that many want to get, but keep in mind that Belgian shepherds have immense mental stimulation needs. These dogs often require a job to stay fulfilled in life.

Are Belgian Shepherds Energetic?

All Belgian shepherd dogs were bred to work all day long, whether it was herding, guarding, or patrolling. This heritage clearly tells us that Belgian shepherds are highly energetic dogs that require immense daily exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. However, there’s some individual variability that those interested in these dogs should know. For example, while the Malinois is the most energetic, the Laekenois is the calmest.

Nevertheless, expect an energetic dog from any of the Belgian shepherd dogs. If you don’t or can’t meet their exercise and mental stimulation needs, note that you more than likely will end up with a dog that exhibits behavioral issues like excessive barking, destructiveness, and aggression as a way to release excess energy.

Are Belgian Shepherds Easy to Train?

It is safe to say that all Belgian shepherd dogs are easy to train. However, it isn’t only the intelligence of the Belgian shepherd that enables them to learn new commands with ease. It is also their eager-to-please personalities. These dogs enjoy doing what they’re told and receiving the owner’s praise and approval. This makes them highly driven out in the field, ensuring they require minimal rewards to pick up and execute commands.

Are Belgian Shepherds Good Watchdogs?

Belgian shepherds aren’t good watchdogs; they are excellent watchdogs. They have exceptional awareness of their surroundings and can tell a friendly neighbor from an actual threat or an intruder. Coupled with their territorial instincts and protective nature, Belgian shepherd dogs can become effective guardians with minimal training, especially the Malinois and the Tervuren.

Are Belgian Shepherds Good Service Dogs?

When it comes to service dog work, Belgian shepherds aren’t as universally accepted, though there’s a high number of these dogs, particularly the Malinois, assisting people with disabilities. This is because Belgian shepherds tend to be sensitive to their environment and don’t always have the switch-off button that breeds like golden retrievers and border collies have in public spaces. The breed’s intense physical and mental stimulation needs also mean that they aren’t ideal for everyone.

How to Care for a Belgian Shepherd?

We’ve touched on some of the care needs of Belgian shepherds above, such as exercise and training. In addition to these, owners should also meet their grooming, feeding, and health needs. Below, we cover all about these to help you determine whether a Belgian shepherd is ultimately the right dog for you.

Do You Need to Groom a Belgian Shepherd?

Overall, like many other sheep herding dogs, Belgian shepherds are fairly low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. You won’t need to spend hours to upkeep their coats, including the wiry-haired Laekenois. Brushing these dogs every ten days or so is enough to keep them in top shape, though brushing them more frequently wouldn’t hurt, especially when they start shedding their coats.

Like all dogs, Belgian shepherds also have other basic grooming needs, like ear cleaning, teeth brushing, and paw care. In many ways, these are even more important than maintaining their coats.

Do Belgian Shepherds Shed?

While the grooming needs of Belgian shepherds may vary depending on the variety, their shedding levels tend to be similar across all varieties. They are average shedders that require a grooming routine to manage shedding. This is particularly important during seasonal changes, as they shed more at this time, like all dogs.

What Health Problems Do Belgian Shepherds Have?

Belgian shepherds are generally healthy dogs that live the majority of their lives without any apparent health problems. When it comes to the specific health issues that may affect Belgian shepherds, they are pretty much the same across all four varieties. These include orthopedic conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, eye issues like progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts, and genetic conditions that can range from heart defects to neurological disorders.

Belgian shepherds can also experience food allergies, ear infections, and dental disease, but these won’t be a problem with a proper diet and grooming routine. Coupled with routine vet visits, you won’t need to worry much about a Belgian shepherd developing health issues, especially early on in their life.

How Long Do Belgian Shepherds Live?

Since the Belgian shepherd isn’t a single dog, it is difficult to give an estimate of their lifespan. However, on average, it is safe to say that Belgian shepherds live anywhere between 10 and 15 years. 

What Should a Belgian Shepherd Eat?

Belgian shepherds are overall active dogs that require a diet that supports their overall well-being and lifestyle. This could be a dog food formulated for larger breeds or a homemade diet that’s formulated by a qualified animal nutritionist. Therefore, Belgian shepherds can thrive on a variety of diets, as long as what they eat meets their dietary requirements.

Is a Belgian Shepherd the Right Dog for Me?

Given that the Belgian shepherd is an umbrella term used to describe sheep herding dogs descending from Belgium, it is difficult to say whether or not one of these dogs will make the right dog for you. For example, for someone who wants a well-balanced, generally calm dog, the Laekenois is usually the best fit; at the same time, the Malinois would be the worst dog to pick, not just among the four varieties but any dog breed.

That’s why it is essential to dive deeper into the individual characteristics of the Belgian shepherd variety you’re interested in to make the right decision in the end. Go to our breed guides to learn more about different Belgian shepherd dogs to find the best pick for you and your family.