Belgian Sheepdog descends from the Belgian Shepherd family. This parent breed also has other breeds Belgian Tervuren, the Belgian Laekenois, and the Belgian Malinois. Belgian Sheepdogs, sometimes referred to as Groenendael. Their roots trace back to the 19th century in Belgium. They were first used for herding and guarding in belgium.
Later on, their obedience made them popular police dogs. They contributed to both world wars as message carriers, watch dogs, and Red Cross dogs, according to the Belgian Sheepdog Club of America (BSCA).Today, Belgian Sheepdogs are still used in police work and search and rescue. They also work as guide dogs and service dogs.
An average male Belgian Sheepdog is 26 inches tall and weighs 55–75 pounds. An average female Belgian Sheepdog is 24 inches tall and weighs 45–60 pounds.
How To Care for a Belgian Sheepdog
Belgian Sheepdogs builds strong bonds with their humans. They need regular exercise to thrive. According to the BSCA, they usually do best with an experienced pet parent who also has dog training experience. In fact, these dogs are smart and learn fast. Unlike other dog breeds they find their own independence. Thus, you have to give them proper guidance and reinforcement. Even though it is a serious working dog breed, they are extremely playful ,especially puppies. They have a shedding period where they need their long coat to be brushed frequently to remove dead hairs.
Belgian Sheepdog Health Issues
Belgian Sheepdogs average lifespan is 12–14 years and are generally healthy dogs. However, they are susceptible to some ailments as follows:
Elbow and Hip Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia are abnormalities that your dog encounter as a result of improper joint development. Their joints loose. If left unattended immediately, it may lead to arthritis.
You may ask your vet for a health screening if you observe symptoms such as lameness or limping, an abnormal gait, or a swollen joint in your furry friend. Your vet will prescribe your dog to have joint supplements, to manage weight, and undergo a surgery if the case is severe.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disease in dogs that decreases production of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones are produced by the thyroid glands, which are located on either side of the neck near the throat. These hormones are important for metabolism, and when the glands are not producing enough hormones, the dog’s body functions slow down.
Your dog will gain weight , will feel lethargy, will tend to have heat-seeking behavior, chronic skin and ear infections, dry and brittle hair, a thinning coat, increased pigmentation of the skin, and inability to regrow hair after shaving.
The vets treat Hypothyroidism with an oral medication called levothyroxine. Its is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone your dog is missing. Unfortunately, there is no any specific cure for hypothyroidism. Yet, you can assist your dog in managing the condition with medication and routine monitoring with your vet.
Sensitivity to Anesthesia
Belgian Sheepdogs have a low fat-to-body ratio. Hence they are sensitive to anesthesia, according to the BSCA. Before your Groenendael undergoes any procedures involving anesthesia, such as their spay or neuter, discuss it with your vet.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a group of genetic disorders that cause as a result of improper development of the rod and the cone in the dog’s eye. Perhaps it leads to cataracts, loss of night vision, eyes that are more reflective in the dark, and eventually blindness.
Epilepsy
Belgian Sheepdogs can inherit epilepsy, a seizure disorder. The pet owners notice it when a dog is between 2 and 3 years old. The responsible breeders wait until their dogs are at least 3 years old before breeding them, according to the BSCA.
It’s better that you talk to your vet if you notice any signs of a seizure, including stiffening of the body and legs, collapsing, paddling of the legs, drooling, or shaking in your dog. Epilepsy can’t be cured. Nevertheless, most dogs can manage it with lifelong medication.
What To And How To Feed a Belgian Sheepdog
Belgian Sheepdogs have no particular dietary need. But they must have an appropriate diet for their age: Puppy food should be given until your Belgian Sheepdog puppy is at least 1 year old before switching to adult dog food. Furthermore, the food should also meet the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
If you are a belgian dog owner, you have to feed him or her twice daily:once in the morning and once in the evening. If it’s a puppy, feed him or her three times a day.
How Much Should You Feed a Belgian Sheepdog?
Every Belgian Sheepdog does not need the same amount of food.It varies from dog to dog. Your dog food bag will have a feeding guide that recommends a total amount of food to be given to your dog over a 24-hour period, based on your dog’s weight. But, if you are not sure enough what and how much to feed, contact your vet. He will guide you through the feeding process of your dog as per your dog’s convenience. They tell it based on your dog’s age, health history, and lifestyle.
Behavior and Training Tips for Belgian Sheepdogs
Belgian Sheepdog Personality and Temperament
Belgian Sheepdogs are active, engaging dogs. They love engaging in activities like hiking, jogging, and even competitive dog sports such as agility, according to the BSCA. They do love chilling out on the couch of their dog owner after a busy day. They get on well with children. If they have been raised with your children, you teach your children how to interact with them. If it’s a puppy, let them have fun with your children as a part of socialization.
Belgian Sheepdog Behavior
It’s undoubtedly a people-oriented breed. But still, they might present inherited herding behaviors—it’s in their nature. Hence, when you raise a Belgian Sheepdog you should not teach them to herd , especially children , you and the family.
It’s not common that Belgian Sheepdogs show uneasiness toward humans or other animals strange to them. It’s a problem of not having socialized early and not given the training properly. It’s crucial to socialize them and give necessary training to shape them the way you want.
Belgian Sheepdog Training
Belgian Sheepdog are quick learners. The first dog parents of this breed was amazed by their ability to learn fast. Training is paramount for this breed to learn appropriate behavior, especially when it comes to interacting with children and other dogs. Puppies will love to do the training that involves obedience, mental stimulation, and play.
Belgian Sheepdog Grooming Guide
Belgian Sheepdogs have a beautiful black coat, and those long locks do require some regular maintenance. Belgian Sheepdogs are not prone to skin problems, but you should always check for ticks or mats in their fur, especially after a long day outdoors. Bath your dog after outing and excursions that will help keep their skin clean and healthy. According to their breed standard, the Belgian Sheepdog coat is long and straight with a medium harshness. They have a shorter hair on their head, outside of the ears, and the lower part of the legs. Brush their flock of hair regularly or weekly. It keeps their coat beautiful and healthy. It also prevents excessive shedding.
A Belgian Sheepdog’s expressive eyes don’t need a lot of attention in terms of grooming. But you may always check with your vet if you notice changes, such as cloudiness or discharge. And their erect and triangular ears can cause infections. To prevent from developing ear infections, you may clean your dog’s ears once or twice a month with a veterinary-approved ear cleaner.
