Big yards, lots of playtime and your undivided attention makes a Belgian Shepherd Dog Laekenois a happy dog. They are gentle with children and will even befriend your partner’s cat.
Pronounced ‘Belgian Shepherd Dog Lak-in-wah’, these dogs were originally bred to herd and guard fields where valuable linen cloths were laid out to dry in the sun. These days, the Belgian Shepherd Dog Laekenois is a wonderful family pet. They are highly affectionate dogs and want to spend all their time with their family. They are truly man’s best friend and will stick by your side at all times. Loyal and protective of their home, not to mention highly intelligent, they have a naturally dominant personality so gentle positive training from a young age is ideal.
Fun fact: Their coat is weatherproof and protects them from the elements.
Socialise your Belgian Shepherd Dog Laekenois from a young age and they will be warm and friendly to other animals. They are fantastic with children and get along brilliantly with them. With only a moderate tendency to bark you don’t have to worry about your neighbours needing earmuffs.
It’s time to get out in the great outdoors as this highly intelligent furry friend needs plenty of exercise. They are a very active breed and benefit from daily runs and lots of games. Don’t leave your Belgian Shepherd alone all day as they become very stressed and bored. If you hate vacuuming, fear not, this breed sheds very little, requires little grooming and is not hypoallergenic. Brush weekly.
Schedule six-monthly health checks and visits to the vet to ensure your dog is healthy and happy throughout all life stages. It’s important that together with your vet, a preventative healthcare program is determined and maintained based on the individual needs of your canine companion. While a relatively healthy and hardy breed, these dogs can suffer from hip dysplasia, skin allergies and eye problems.
Size
They are a large-sized breed weighing between 27.5-28.5kgs with an average height of between 61cm-66cm.
Space
This breed needs to have access to a yard due to their high-energy needs and exercise requirements.
Energy Levels
They have high-energy needs. A long daily run and lots of games will keep this dog happy.
Difficulty Of Training
An intelligent dog with a mind of its own. They tend to be stubborn so consistent training with positive reinforcement is best when training.
Family suitability
Great family pets, loyal companions and good watchdogs.
Suitability to other pets
If socialised from a young age, your dog will befriend other pets.
Need for company
They have a moderate to high need for company and enjoy playing games with their family.
Hypoallergenic dog breed?
No
Coat and grooming needs
This breed is low maintenance. Brush weekly. They have a short medium curly coat in a reddish fawn colour with black shading on the muzzle and tail.
Shedding
They shed little hair.
Tendency to bark
They have a moderate tendency to bark so expect some noise.