Belgian Laekenois Dog : Size, Health, Training

Belgian Laekenois: This strong, agile and messy coated dog is very rare to be found outside Belgium. Belgian Laekenois isone of the four types of herding dog breed found in Belgium. Belgian Laekenois can melt your heart with its expressive eyes and tousled fur. It is a beautiful herding dog who wants to be always on work and to be with its master. They are good with athletic people.

They are not for average active people. If you give a thought to have a Laekenois then you will have to be highly active enough to give enough exercise to your dog to keep it satisfied. It is better to own Laekenois with good prior experience with keeping dog because, Laekenois should know about its alpha member before it decides to become alpha of its family. So, let’s try to know more about this breed.

Belgian Laekenois origin

Although presence of herding dogs in Belgium were from early times of civilization when humans started keeping livestock but, distinct breed was recognised around late 19th century with rising interest of Belgian people to find a national dog breed in year 1891. Presence of Laekenois can be found from
middle ages in Flanders. They are originated in Royal Castle of Laeken.

They were used to herd and protect sheeps and protect flax fields as well as linen in fields for drying. In 29 September, Club du Chien de Berger Beige was founded for breeds recognition. In November 1891, professor Adolph Reul of the Curegham Veterinary Medical School, collected 117 dogs to find a specific breed. It was found that dogs were similar in physical and temperament but, had different coat length, texture and variety according
to place of origin. Therefore four kinds of herding dogs were found on coat variety. Laekenois are pushed to miscellaneous group under herding dogs by AKC.

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Belgian Laekenois Temperament

They are extremely loyal and devoted to their owners. With these traits you will get a protective companion to protect you and your family and property. They are lively and alert. They are wary around strangers due to kick in of their protective instinct for which they were bred along with herding. They are good watch dogs. They will not like you to kennel them or keep them in yard or crate, seperated from its family. You need to keep them with you.

They are very intelligent and are easy to train. They are to be trained and socialised to get along with children and other pets. It doesn’t come in your Laekenois naturally because of their herding and gaurding background. They naturally try to herd people, children and other pets which can hurt them unintentionally. It is better to not to own a Laekenois if you have small children or other pets in your home. They are not for novice owners. They are great with positive, confident and firm owner with prior experience with such kinds of dogs.

As a herding breed they need a lots of exercises daily. So, please consider this factor before opting for this breed. Mental engagement is also must daily to keep them from being mischievous. They need a good sized yard for satisfying their desire to explore and romp. If you are an experienced athletic person then this breed will fit in your lifestyle very easily and happily.

Belgian Laekenois Physical Appearance

Laekenois is a long legged and well balanced medium sized dog. They have a long face with the somewhat pointed muzzle. Ears are erect and triangular shaped. They have especially expressive eyes. Their muzzle and ears are darker than rest of the body. The fur on face give bearded and moustached look without covering the eyes. They are deep chested. They have medium, slightly wavy, woolly and rough double coat. Fur does not disposed to matting. Coat colour comes in various shades of grey, red or fawn. They have thick and long tail.

Belgian Laekenois Size

Height

Male – 24 to 26 inches
Female – 22 to 24 inches

Weight – 55 to 65 pounds

FCI classification

Section – Section 1, Sheepdogs
Group no 1
Date of acceptance – 1/1/1956
Country of origin – Belgium
FCI standard no 015b

Belgian Laekenois Grooming

As they have double coat and shed, you will need to brush their coat once a week with coarse toothed comb. During heavy shedding months everyday brushing will keep your Laekenois free from dead fur. They should not be bathed until it is the utmost necessity.

They don’t require any artificial grooming or hair trimming.
Teeth should be brushed regularly.
Check for build ups or infections in ears weekly and clean them once in a month.
Nails should also be trimmed regularly.

Belgian Laekenois Nutrition

A good premium quality dog food with no or minimal fillers specifically for active breed should be offered. If you go for home made food for your dog then maximum part of food should be meat. You can add eggs, vegetables, cottage cheese etc in their diet making only 10% of their diet. Please never forget to keep clean water available for your pooch.

Belgian Laekenois Training

As this breed is intelligent and have dominance issue, you need to establish alpha status of yours before your pup first and then move on to training. As this breed is protective in nature, it can become aggressive for it or try to test boundaries. It is must to train them to retreat or stop when you command. Early obedience puppy classes are necessary. To curb herding instinct if you don't use them for herding and to make them get well along with strangers, children or small pets then early socialisation is must. Socialisation should be done gradually. You have to train them from pup stage firmly, repeatedly and consistently with lots of praise and treats with positive reinforcement. Heavy handed training will only toke up aggression in your Laekenois. Leash training is also must from early age.

Belgian Laekenois Health Challenges
They have sensitive skin and are prone to allergies easily. They also get eye problems, stomach cancer,
hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, pannus and bloating.
Litter size of Belgian Laekenois is 6 to 10 puppies.
Life expectancy is around 10 to 14 years.

To get a perfect and happy pet as Laekenois and happy you and people around you, early training and socialization are must from the day you get your Laekenois pup in your home.