The Belgian Shepherd Laekenois is the rarest of all four Belgian Sheepdog breeds, and it can be described as an obedient and bright dog. It is known for being observant and determined, with exceptional territorial instincts and strong protective features. Before getting such a dog, you should be aware of the fact that it needs an experienced master who needs to be firm, but not heavy handed.
Character
The dog needs to socialize because, otherwise, it has the tendency to become sensitive and shy. If the owner of such a dog becomes overbearing or harsh, the Belgian Shepherd Laekenois can become quite uncooperative. The owner has to display a natural and confident authority; consistent rules have to be established and made crystal clear.
Nowadays, the main occupation of these dogs is as tracking, police and guard dogs, as they are known to excel in these domains. At the same time, the dog can be an excellent pet if the owner is able to challenge its mind. If the dog is socialized well with children, it loves playing with them and is also loyal, alert and watchful. Keep in mind that it has to feel it is a part of the family so avoid, at all costs, keeping your Belgian Shepherd Laekenois in a kennel!
This breed has a high mental capacity and also a high amount of energy, which it needs to consume. It needs daily exercise, leadership, as well as companionship and training. Without these, it might become hard to handle and destructive. It is important that the dog feels like there is something that has to be done. In addition, the way in which you introduce it to small non-canine pets is crucial, because the dog has the tendency to be dominant and it needs an owner who will be able to get it to understand what behaviors are not allowed.
Appearance
The male Belgian Shepherd Laekenois measures somewhere between 24 - 26 inches (61 - 66 cm.), while the females measure 22 - 24 inches (56 - 61 cm.) Their weight varies between 55 and 65 pounds (24 - 29 kg.). The body of the Shepherd Laekenois is well proportioned and sturdy, with a squarely-shaped look if you view it from the side. The dog has a moderately pointed muzzle, while the erect ears have a triangle shape. The head and the muzzle are fringed, while the almond-shaped eyes are dark with rims that are contrasting with the dogs lighter color hair.
The dogs dense hair is bushy around the tail area, while the hindquarters are muscular, but they do not look heavy at all. It has a deep chest that reaches the elbow, while the front legs are parallel and straight to the ground. Usually, the dogs dewclaws are removed.
Health & Hygiene
There arent any major health concerns as far as this dog is concerned. Some of the minor problems that occur in this breed include eye problems, skin allergies, excessive aggressiveness, excessive shyness, along with elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia.
The dogs rough and wiry coat has to be trimmed at least twice a year, depending on the coats quality. The owner should remove the excessive and dead hair. Occasionally, you can groom the pet by using a coarse-toothed comb.
If trained and socialized appropriately, the Belgian Shepherd Laekenois will make anybody fall in love with it.
