Dog Breed

Belgian Laekenois

Rare
Primary image of Belgian Laekenois dog breed
Full Name
Belgian Laekenois
Alternate Names
Belgian Shepherd Dog, Chien de Berger Belge
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Life Span
10 - 12 years
Weight
55 - 65 pounds
Description

The Belgian Laekenois is the rarest of four sheepdogs that originated from Belgium. Being calm, fearless and confident makes them great for law enforcement, drug and bomb detection.

Origin
Belgium
Bred For
Stock herding
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Belgian Laekenois good with children?

    Yes, the Belgian Laekenois is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Belgian Laekenois naturally loves children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Belgian Laekenois friendly with strangers?

    Yes, the Belgian Laekenois is very friendly with strangers. We still recommend early socialization while the Belgian Laekenois is a puppy to introduce them to various new people, but in general they are friendly with everyone.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Belgian Laekenois friendly with other dogs?

    The Belgian Laekenois is about average in how friendly they are with other dogs. They can be timid or defensive, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for dog parks and living with other dogs at home.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Belgian Laekenois like to cuddle?

    The Belgian Laekenois appreciates affection and that includes kisses and snuggles!
    Playfulness

    Does the Belgian Laekenois like to play?

    The Belgian Laekenois is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Belgian Laekenois make a good service dog?

    The Belgian Laekenois is a common service dog. The Belgian Laekenois is smart, dedicated, and patient. However, despite the Belgian Laekenois being an excellent breed for service work, they must pass through an extensive training period and only some will be up for a life dedicated to service work.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Belgian Laekenois good for first-time owners?

    The Belgian Laekenois is not the easiest breed for first-time owners, but can certainly still work out if the owner is willing to put the time into training and exercise.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Belgian Laekenois be trained?

    The Belgian Laekenois can be trained to the highest level and is oftentimes seen in various competitions. The Belgian Laekenois is not only intelligent, but it wants to please its owner and is motivated with competition, especially if it feels like it has a job assigned to it.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Belgian Laekenois shed a lot?

    The Belgian Laekenois sheds a lot! They may still shed less than a few other breeds, but be prepared for dog hair throughout the home and on your clothes.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Belgian Laekenois easy to groom?

    The Belgian Laekenois requires a good amount of grooming work. It is possible to do it yourself, but you need to plan on dedicating weekly grooming sessions at the minimum.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Belgian Laekenois need a lot of exercise?

    The Belgian Laekenois has a lot of energy and getting daily exercise is very important, both for their well-being and for their focus, which is important when you train them.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Belgian Laekenois?

    The Belgian Laekenois is one of the smartest dog breeds. Having a very smart dog is fun, but it is also demanding- they require mental challenge and stimulation just as much as physical exercise.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Belgian Laekenois bark? Does the Belgian Laekenois bark too much?

    The Belgian Laekenois barks a lot. This is important to consider with your living situation- will it be ok when you leave them at home alone or will they disrupt the neighbors? The Belgian Laekenois will oftentimes bark just to express their thoughts... even just to be heard!
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Belgian Laekenois a good guard dog?

    The Belgian Laekenois can serve as an excellent guard dog. It is both physically intimidating and also enjoys having a "job" to protect its family and property.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Belgian Laekenois good at staying alone? Is the Belgian Laekenois independent?

    The Belgian Laekenois is not very independent and does not do great when left behind for longer than a couple of hours. This is one of the most important things to consider when getting a new dog.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Belgian Laekenois a good apartment dog?

    The Belgian Laekenois is not a good dog for apartment living for several reasons. It is still possible to make it work if the owner is dedicated to plenty of training and daily exercise, but it may be challenging.
    Size

    How big is the Belgian Laekenois?

    The Belgian Laekenois is a medium sized dog breed. They can range in size depending on genetics, and males are larger on average than females.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Belgian Laekenois tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Belgian Laekenois?

    The Belgian Laekenois can tolerate some heat, but should not be over-exposed to hot weather. In general, they can live in hot weather climates, but would do best with air conditioning or at least a fan in their home, especially where they sleep.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Belgian Laekenois tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Belgian Laekenois?

    The Belgian Laekenois can tolerate cold weather well. Play time in the snow or on particularly cold evenings may need to be limited, but overall they can do well in cold climates.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Belgian Laekenois try to run away?

    The Belgian Laekenois does not have a large drive to run away. They can still be distracted and run, so precautions should be taken, but overall they have a less than average urge to run away.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Belgian Laekenois a healthy dog? The health of a Belgian Laekenois should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Belgian Laekenois is healthy, but has an average number of health risks that should be taken into consideration.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Belgian Laekenois?

    The Belgian Laekenois has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the Belgian Laekenois into your home. Can you give your Belgian Laekenois enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Belgian Laekenois drool?

    The Belgian Laekenois drools very little, typically to where it's never a concern.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Belgian Laekenois have a large prey drive? Does the Belgian Laekenois like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Belgian Laekenois has average prey drive. They will probably enjoy chasing after birds and other small animals at the park, and it may be an issue at the home if you have small animals, but with some training and introduction can usually learn to live with them.
    Athleticism

    Is the Belgian Laekenois atheltic?

    The Belgian Laekenois is very athletic and would be well suited for a family that frequently works out or goes on adventures.
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  1. Herding
  2. Shepherd / Sheepdog
  3. Belgian Laekenois
The Belgian Laekenois is a purebred dog that belongs to the Shepherd / Sheepdog sub group, which falls under the larger Herding dog breed group.
Herding group: The Herding group dogs all share an instinctual ability to control the movement of other animals. They have traditionally been raised on farms to help herd and protect valuable livestock. They are intelligent, and have been bred to treat each day like they have a "job" they must do. Their innate herding ability is such a big part of who they are, that they are known to even "herd" their owners, children, or other small dogs. Some can seem stubborn and even obsessed with their herding, since they take it seriously! They have high expectations, and must be stimulated mentally just as much as physically. The reward to these "high expectations" is that they can be trained very well, and are oftentimes used in competitions. Certain breeds such as the well known German Shepard are also used by Police forces, because of their discipline, intelligence, and ability to be trained.
Shepherd / Sheepdog sub-group: Shepherd dogs are the super performers of the dog world. For many generations they have served their owners by performing their job of helping in the farm- guarding, protecting, and herding. Shepherds were bred based off intelligence and temperament, and willingness to serve their families. Today they are excellent family dogs, but also excel as military service animals, emotional therapy dogs, and in competitive obedience competitions. They are highly trainable and intelligent, but that does not necessarily mean they are an easy dog or optimal for first time owners. With this potential comes greater responsibility from the owner. They need a firm owner who is willing to stimulate them both physically and mentally from an early age. They need a leader. If they have one, you will be rewarded with one of the friendliest and most intelligent dogs in the World.

Belgian Laekenoiss for adoption

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