The Belgian Shepherd as a Breed has four separate varieties, the Groenendael (long haired black), Tervueren (long haired red, fawn or grey with black overlay), Malinois (short haired red/fawn) and Laekenois (rough haired red/fawn). This is a medium sized and essentially elegant breed with males being approximately 24-26 inches and females 22-24 inches and unlike many herding breeds has a square outline. Males in the long coated varieties have a pronounced ruff or mane around the neck and extending down onto the chest.

A relatively healthy breed, the life expectancy of a well bred BSD is in the region of 12-15 years. Breeding stock should be hip scored, eye tested and care taken to avoid lines suspect for epilepsy which is known, although relatively rare in the breed. Both breed clubs are actively investigating the mode of inheritance and it is hoped in the future this will further assist in breeding out this condition.

BSDs are wonderful all round dogs which make excellent family companions and are keen workers with tremendous mental and physical stamina, hence an ideal choice for enthusiasts of obedience, tracking, agility and fly-ball.

They are loyal, affectionate and natural comedians and unsuitable for kennel life as they thrive in the company of their human families. Being highly intelligent they are easily bored so require lots of physical exercise combined with mental stimulation and patient training - failure to observe their need for "mind games" may result in them occupying their time by destroying your furnishings or excavating the garden!

Appropriate coat care should be taken into consideration by anyone contemplating owning a BSD, most particularly in the instances of the long haired Tervueren and Groenendael. Brushing every other day will keep the coat mainly tangle free and a thorough grooming session should be carried out once a week to ensure your dog's comfort. During moults daily brushing will be required as the dense undercoat loosens off. Often it is easier to bath the dog to encourage the dying undercoat to come out and then groom regularly thereafter, dampening the coat first to avoid breaking, to speed up the shedding and re-growth processes.

If your domestic circumstances do not afford you sufficient time to cope with such an exuberant dog, then a Belgian Shepherd is obviously not for you!

This is a genuinely sensitive breed which does not respond well to harsh training methods - they have an amazing spirit and a majesty about them which should be celebrated and never crushed. It is a natural trait of the BSD to be wary of strangers, however this should not manifest itself as either fear or aggression but more an impression of aloofness towards interacting with those they do not yet know. The well adjusted, correctly socialised Belgian Shepherd should tolerate all strangers (albeit with a degree of suspicion) and yet will instinctively know if his family are in genuine danger and if he need act to protect them.

He should never be encouraged to guard

The BSD is relatively primitive compared to most other domestic dog breeds and he is born with a natural guarding instinct which needs to be kept in check.

Treated sensitively, sensibly and with respect the Belgian Shepherd is an outstanding dog who will enrich the lives of his human family as the most faithful friend they will ever know.

If we can be of any assistance in helping you decide whether a BSD is the right dog for you, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Occasionally, through no fault of their own, some Belgian Shepherds end up in Breed Rescue. With care and understanding of the circumstances relating to their arrival in rescue, these dogs regularly make ideal companions. If you think you could consider homing a slightly older dog, please consider BSD Rescue. Contact information can be found in our UK Links under the Northern BSD Club or BSDA of GB dedicated Rescue web site.