Belgian Laekenois

The Belgian Laekenois is an intelligent, hardworking dog. One of four (and perhaps the oldest) variations of the Belgian Shepherd, this energetic dog is distinguished by its rough red coat and is named after the village of Laeken in Belgium.

Originally bred to herd livestock (and protect drying laundry), this member of the herding group is up to almost any task. Its agile mind and sturdy build have suited it for various tasks, including carrying messages for the military and serving as police or narcotics dogs. It has a lot of energy and needs to be worked or exercised intensely.

Notwithstanding its working pedigree, the dog is also capable of loyal and affectionate interactions with its owners. When properly socialized, it can be a solid family dog, though adults should always monitor interactions with small children, as it tends to chase and nip at the heels when not properly trained.

3 Pros And Cons Of Owning A Belgian Laekenois

History Of The Breed

The Belgian Laekenois is named for the municipality of Laeken, in Brussels, where they originated in the 1880s, as a herding dog of the Laeken Castle. They can be traced to the Belgian Royal Family, where they were intended to protect and herd the royal sheep. Originally thought to be the same breed of sheepdog as the Malinois, the Groenendael, and the Tervuren, and merely differentiated by their coat colors and textures, they were all declared separate breeds by the American Kennel Club. The Belgian Laekenois is the oldest and rarest of the Belgian shepherds.

The Best Dog Food For Belgian Laekenois

The Belgian Laekenois is a larger, high-energy dog that uses a lot of energy. Consult your veterinarian to determine the best diet for your Belgian Laekenois, as some dogs may benefit from a high-protein or raw diet, but grain-free diets are not universally recommended.

Size And Weight

The Belgian Laekenois is a sturdy, medium-to-large-sized dog that maxes out at about 55-65 lbs. The male will grow to approximately 24 to 26 inches, while the female will reach 22 to 24 inches in height.

Common Health Issues

While the Laekenois is a sturdy, robust breed with a relatively good health record, there are some issues you should keep an eye out for. Like many larger dogs, it tends to suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia. Proper dental hygiene is a necessity for all dogs. Many of these issues are common to most dogs:

• Skin allergies
• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Hypothyroidism
• Dental issues

Temperament

Belgian Laekenois are active, intelligent, and hardworking dogs. Their energetic nature and trainability make them good hiking, running, and cycling companions. They tend to bond intensely with one or two family members, and they are good with children if they acclimate to them from an early age. Though they connect well with their owners, they tend to be wary of strangers. In conjunction with their intelligence and obedience, this alert nature makes them good guard dogs.

How to Take Care of Belgian Laekenois

Potential owners of a Belgian Laekenois, especially a puppy, should consider several factors before taking on this challenge. Regular grooming, consistent training, intense exercise, and early socialization are required to care for this dog properly.

Maintenance And Grooming

The unique, wiry coat of the Laekenois requires special care. Trim the fur about twice a year to remove dead and stray hairs. Don’t shave it short, as this mars its appearance and will take years to grow back. A light shave every once in a while will be fine.

Laekenois don’t shed excessively, but they do shed the entire year. Regular combing with a coarse comb can prevent an excess of hair during any heavy shedding season. The hair should be rough and slightly tangled without curling. Try only to wash the coat when necessary because excessive washing can damage its waterproof nature.

The nails grow fast, so they should be trimmed regularly with a nail grinder to keep them from splitting and cracking. Make sure to brush the dog’s teeth regularly to avoid potential dental issues. Also, check the ears regularly for wax buildup and debris.

Training

The Belgian Laekenois is an intelligent, active, and protective dog, and it’s easily bored. Consequently, it is vitally important that it be trained and socialized. Its herding instincts lead it to chase and nip, which should be actively discouraged. If a Laekenois has nothing to do, it will find something to do. It can be destructive when bored.

Its energy and intelligence make it good at dog sports, like agility training. It also excels at obedience training. Laekenois are very trainable and, in addition to serving as WWII messenger dogs, they excel in herding and dog sports, but are rarely used in modern law enforcement, where the Belgian Malinois is preferred.

Exercise

This dog has nearly boundless energy and requires more exercise than the typical dog. A short walk around the block won’t cut it. Sixty minutes a day, including a vigorous walk, is the bare minimum required for the Laekenois. Some play time off-lead in a safe, enclosed space is also recommended. Obedience and agility work are also good ways to tap this dog’s energy reserves. This dog wants to move!

Puppies

Because of its protective and herding tendencies, Belgian Laekenois puppies must begin socialization as soon as possible. Due to their intelligence, they can start learning as early as eight weeks. It is recommended that they begin puppy kindergarten between 10 and 12 weeks and begin heavy socialization rounds. Also, if they are to be around cats, it is recommended that they be introduced to them when they are puppies.

Belgian Laekenois And Children

Laekenois can be good with children, but the dogs must be socialized at the puppy stage with them. Effective, consistent training is also necessary to curtail the dog’s nipping and chasing tendencies. Ideally, the children would be older so that they can handle the dog responsibly. Small children should only play with the dogs under adult supervision.

Dogs Similar To Belgian Laekenois

If you like dogs from the herding group, you may also like these:

• Great Pyrenees: Like the Laekenois, the Great Pyrenees is affectionate with its owners and wary of strangers. These dogs have been around for thousands of years.
• Border Collie: The Border Collie shares the intelligence and high energy of the Belgian Laekenois. Like the Laekenois, the Border Collie requires activity and direction.
• Bernese Mountain Dog: Another hardworking herding dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog, shares the Laekenois’s affection for cooler temperatures. They are also known to become attached to just one or two people.