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Belgian Laekenois breed guide
American Kennel Club (AKC) calls the Belgian Laekenois strong, agile and full of life, one of four native dogs of Belgium and the rarest of the four closely related Belgian herders.
A rough, tousled coat in red, fawn or grayish tones sets it apart from its relatives, with blackening around the muzzle that sharpens a watchful expression.
- Height
- 24 to 26 inches male, 22 to 24 inches female
- Weight
- 55 to 65 pounds
- AKC group
- Herding Group
Belgian Laekenois temperament
The Belgian Laekenois is protective of its master and property and observant with strangers, yet affectionate with its own people. Eager to please, it wants to be with its humans and cannot be expected to live alone in the yard.
Very intelligent and wanting nothing more than to make owners happy, it takes well to training and socialization classes matter early.
Belgian Laekenois lifespan
The Belgian Laekenois lives 10 to 12 years. AKC calls it a robust, healthy breed. Responsible breeders screen breeding dogs for various health conditions and ears need regular checks for signs of infection with regular tooth brushing.
Belgian Laekenois care
Beyond a regular weekly grooming, an occasional bath keeps the coat clean. The strong, fast-growing nails should be trimmed regularly with a clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth, splitting and cracking.
AKC says the ideal owner understands that the dog will not be happy sitting around. It needs an active lifestyle and plenty of employment.
Belgian Laekenois history
The Belgian Shepherd Dog Club organized in September 1891 to investigate Belgium's native dogs and defined a consistent type that differed only in coat. In the early twentieth century breeders urged acceptance of additional varieties based on color and region of origin.
The fawn rough-haired variety took the name Laekenois, from the town of Laeken.
AKC trait ratings
| Trait | AKC rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Level | 4 of 5 | Couch Potato to High Energy |
| Trainability Level | 5 of 5 | Self-Willed to Eager to Please |
| Shedding Level | 3 of 5 | No Shedding to Hair Everywhere |
| Barking Level | 3 of 5 | Only To Alert to Very Vocal |
| Adaptability Level | 3 of 5 | Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable |
| Good With Young Children | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Children |
| Good With Other Dogs | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs |
| Watchdog/Protective Nature | 4 of 5 | What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant |
More Herding Group guides
Sources
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Belgian Laekenois by Svenska Mässan from Sweden, CC BY 2.0
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