Groenendael Belgian Shepherds can develop phobias of certain objects or locations as puppies, but usually grow out of it by adulthood. The Groenendael Belgian Shepherd should be socialized as a puppy if it is to live with other dogs or pets. [1][4][9] As the Belgian Shepherd had for centuries been bred for working ability with little consideration given to form, Professor Reul found the type to vary greatly in appearance. [6][8] Initially Rose had wanted to name the variety the "Rose", but it was deemed this could cause confusion given their black colour so they were instead named after his château, Groenendael. [2][6] In addition to being used as herding dogs, rough-haired Belgian Shepherds were traditionally used as guard dogs in the regions surrounding Boom, guarding valuable linens put out to bleach in the sun. It became a popular messenger and sentry dog in World War I, and is a popular pet today which draws attention by its remarkable coat. The breed has a long history of being used by military forces, serving in both World Wars; they continue to be used by a number of militaries in a variety of roles to this day. [4][8][6] Miss was bred with Duc de Groenendael, the foundation sire of the Groenendael variety, and the fawn progeny became the Tervuren variety who take their name from the region of Tervuren. [1][2] The Société Royale Saint-Hubert recommends all four varieties are tested for hip and elbow dysplasia and that the Malinois be tested for epilepsy. [4][6] As a part of their work, Professor Reul's team assembled 117 specimens and began the process of standardising them into distinct varieties. [2][5], The Laekenois variety is rough-haired, its coat is fawn in colour with discreet black overlay and is harsh, dry and normally slightly tangled in appearance; it has a bristled, feathered muzzle and limited feathering on the legs and tail. [8] The Second World War once again threatened the viability of the breed and in late 1945, it was decided once again that matings between dogs of the different varieties was to be encouraged, and through careful breeding the Belgian Shepherd recovered in numbers. [3][5] Short-haired dogs have particularly short hair on the faces, ears and lower portion of their legs, short over the rest of the body and slightly longer on the neck and tail. [5] The breed's chest is deep but not overly broad; their neck is muscular, widening at the shoulders with a slight arch at the nape; their tail is strong and of medium length and curves upwards slightly at the level of their knee; their forelegs are straight and well-boned, their hind legs are muscular and very powerful, none of the legs are overly heavy. In addition to its historical role as a herding dog, Belgian Shepherds have been used as assistance dogs, companion dogs, detection dogs, guard dogs, guide dogs, police dogs, and search and rescue dogs. Belgian Shepherd Dog is a brilliant herding dog. [6], The Groenendael remains the most popular variety followed by the Tervuren, the Malinois is gaining in popularity while the Laekenois remains comparatively rare. The Belgian Shepherd/Groenendael is the most popular of the four Belgian sheepdogs. For tips, match advice, and more, follow us! [2][4], The Tervuren variety is long-haired like the Groenendael; its double coat is typically fawn in colour with black overlay and with black extremities, although grey with black is known; it has a ruff of long hair around the neck and feathering on the legs. Finding the right Groenendael Belgian Shepherd puppy can be dog gone hard work. [3][6] Notably the American Kennel Club recognises the four varieties as separate breeds; this has caused some consternation for American breeders who breed from imported European stock. A common sight in the service of Belgian shepherds for centuries, it was not until the end of the 19th-century that a breed club was formed and attempts were made to standardise the breed. [3][5], The Groenendael variety is long-haired, it has a solid black double coat, the outer coat is straight and particularly long around the shoulders, neck and chest; they have short hair on the face, and well feathered legs and tail. [6][8], In 1905 it was decided that interbreeding between the different varieties should be forbidden, but the disruptions caused by the First World War resulted in a decline in breed numbers, so in 1920 it was decided matings between the varieties should be allowed in order to preserve the breed and avoid issues resulting from inbreeding. It has high socialization and activity requirements, making it less than ideal for those unwilling or unable to invest significant time. [10], Most of the world's national kennel clubs including the Société Royale Saint-Hubert, as well as the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, recognise the Belgian Shepherd as a single breed with four distinct varieties. [1][2] The Belgian Shepherd responds well to training and responds very well to firm and understanding training; they require training from an early age, particularly the Laekenois which can have a tendency to try to dominate a weaker-willed master. [2][5], Belgian Shepherds are known to be highly intelligent, alert and sensitive; they are typically highly trainable, vigilant and hard-working with a strong guarding instinct making them protective of property and family, and very well suited for service with security services. [1][6] The breed is very active, particularly the Malinois which may reflect its continued breeding for security roles, and they all require exercise; the breed adapts well to living indoors, although the Malinois is least suited to these environs. [2][4][6], The Laekenois variety has always been the rarest, they take their name from the Château de Laeken, a residence of the Belgian royal family. The breed is also known as Groenendael, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Shepherd Groenendael, Belgian Shepherd Dog, Chien de Berger Belge. This breed needs extensive socialization , preferably from an early age, to prevent it from becoming shy or sensitive. The Groenendael Belgian Sheepdog is the most popular of the Belgian Shepherd dog breeds, which consist of the ” Belgian Tervueren “, ” Belgian Malinois “, ” Groenendael Belgian Sheepdog ” and ” Laekenois “. [16][17][18][19], "FCI-Standard N° 15: Belgian Shepherd Dog", "Behavioral differences among Belgian Shepherd Dogs varieties", "US Military working dogs should be American-born, Senator says", "White House May Check Tourists Blocks Away", "Indian PM's security goes to the (Israeli) dogs", "Anti-poaching dogs a game-changer for Kruger", "Breed Sheet: Belgian Shepherd Groenendael", "Breed Sheet: Belgian Shepherd Laekenois", "Belgian Malinois: the dog that took down Osama Bin Laden? [3][5] Rough-haired dogs have a coat that is rough, dry and approximately 6 centimetres (2.4 in) long over the body, they have shorter hair on the top of the muzzle and legs and, unlike the other coat types, they have long hair on the face and muzzle. In the American Kennel Club, it is called the Belgian Sheepdog, a term otherwise synonymous with Belgian Shepherd Dog more broadly. Kuno, British Army Malinois awarded the Dicken Medal after attacking terrorists whist shot during the War in Afghanistan in an action that saved British soldier's lives.