|
|
Belgian Laekenois
Puppies for Sale
Belgian Laekenois
(Chien de Berger Belge) (Belgian
Shepherd Laekenois)
CH International, Belgium, Dutch Pierrewit van Kriekebos
|
Find a
Belgian Laekenois Breeder
Place an Ad |
|
Rescue a
Belgian Laekenois
List Your Rescue |
Description |
The Laekenois's wire coat gives this shepherd a
most unique appearance. In size and body type, the breed resembles his Belgian
County canines. Colors include a range from fawn to mahogany with a black
overlay. The rough coat can measure over two inches in length. The body is
sturdy and well proportioned. The ears appear small and are set high on the
head. The muzzle and head are fringed, giving him a shaggy, woolly look. The
hindquarters are muscular, without looking heavy. The eyes are dark and rims
contrast with lighter color hair. Dense hair is bushy on the tail, but there is
no distinct feathering. The chest is neither broad nor narrow, but is deep,
reaching to the elbow. The front legs are very straight and parallel to each
other, with round cat-feet. Dewclaws may be removed from the front legs and
should be removed from the back legs. The long tail reaches at least to the
hock. The muzzle tapers, but is not excessively pointy. The skull is flat and
parallel to the plain of the muzzle. The nose is black and the lips should
be tight. The teeth should meet in a scissors or level bite. |
|
Temperament |
The rarest of the four Belgian Sheepdog breeds,
the Belgian Laekenois is a very smart and obedient dog. They are serious and
watchful with strong protective and territorial instincts. Socialize well to prevent them from becoming shy or
sensitive. This breed needs an experienced master who is firm,
but not harsh. If you are
harsh or overbearing they will become uncooperative. Owners need to display a confident, natural authority over the dog. Consistent rules must be set and made clear. This breed is instinctively
protective so it should be trained and socialized very well from an early age.
Breeders should socialize puppies right from birth. Good for working and
competition obedience. These dogs make excellent police and guard dogs. This
type of work is currently their main occupation. They do however, make excellent
pets if they have owners who can challenge their minds with an air of leadership. They are ever watchful, alert and loyal. Belgian Laekenois are good with children if socialized well with
them. This breed needs to be part of the family and not locked up in a kennel.
It does best when given leadership and daily exercise along with ample time, attention, training and companionship. If this
breed is ignored, it will find ways to entertain itself, often at the owner's
expense. The Belgian Laekenois has a lot of energy and needs a job to do. Working
lines can have particularly high drive. It tends to bond strongly with one or
two people. Take care when introducing this dog with small non-canine pets.
They can be rather
dominant toward other dogs and need an owner who can communicate to the dog that dominance is an unwanted behavior. Provided they are correctly socialized with cats and
other pets, they should not present any problems. Belgian Laekenois may
instinctively display herding behavior such as chasing and circling, moving
effortlessly for hours and nipping at people's heels. They must be taught not to do this to people. This is a very demanding
dog. It needs an experienced owner for it
can easily be difficult to control unless the owner knows how to handle him.
The way the owner handles the dog can produce wide differences in temperament and aggressiveness. Talk to someone
experienced with the breed before you buy your dog. These dogs are often
impressive; don't base your purchase solely on achievement records and
appearances. Only adopt this type of dog if you fully understand what it means to be alpha. |
|
Height, Weight |
Height: Dogs 24-26 inches (61-66 cm.) Bitches
22-24 inches (56-61 cm.)
Weight: 55-65 pounds (24-29 kg.) |
|
Health Problems |
This hardy, healthy breed has no major health
concerns. Some minor concerns that have been seen are skin allergies, eye
problems, excessive shyness, excessive aggressiveness and occasionally seen hip
dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. |
|
Living Conditions |
The Belgian Laekenois will do okay in an apartment
if it is sufficiently exercised. It is moderately active indoors and will do
best with at least an average size yard. This breed prefers cool climates, but
adapts well to others. It can live outdoors but would much rather be with his
people. |
|
Exercise |
This is a working dog that is accustomed to an
active outdoor life. As such it needs a lot of exercise, including a
long daily walk. In addition,
they will greatly benefit being off the
leash as much as possible in a safe area. |
Life Expectancy |
About 12-14 years |
|
Litter Size |
Average 6 - 10 puppies |
Grooming |
The rough, wiry coat of the Laekenois needs to be
trimmed about twice a year, depending upon the quality of the coat. Dead and
excessive hair should be removed. Resist suggestions to have your dog close
trimmed as this ruins the coat for several years. In addition to the occasional
light trim, use a coarse-toothed comb for grooming. The fawn-colored coat is
harsh, dry, and normally slightly tangled. It should be rough-looking but never
curled. Bathe only if it is absolutely necessary, as bathing removes the
waterproofing of the coat. This breed sheds little to no hair. |
Origin |
The Belgian Laekenois is the rarest of the four
Belgian Sheepdogs. In most parts of the world, the Laekenois (fawn, rough coat,
pronounced Lak-in-wah), the Groenendael
(black, long coat, pronounced Grow-en-en-doll), Malinois
(fawn-mahogany, short coat with black marks and overlay, pronounced Mal-in-wah),
and the Tervuren (fawn-mahogany, shades of
gray are acceptable in some registries, long coat with black mask and overlay,
pronounced Terv-yer-en) are all considered one breed. However in America, since
1959, the AKC has recognized the Groenendael, Malinois and Tervuren as separate
breeds, but has not recognized the Laekenois at all. A less well-known, but
growing U.S. registry, the UKC, does recognize all four varieties as one breed.
The Laekenois variety of Sheepdog was developed as a watchman to guard the
fields in Antwerp, where fine linens were bleached in the sun and rain. During
the reign of Queen Marie Henriette, the breed was the favored sheep tender and
considered "the dog to have." Today, however, it is the least popular
of the four Belgian Sheepdogs. All the Belgian Sheepdogs developed from hardy
working dogs, which ensures that the modern breeds are compatibly gifted on the
field. The Laekenois is a very rare, highly intelligent and protective Belgian
Sheepdog that has the potential of being used in herding, and also in
protection/law enforcement, drug/bomb/gas detection, search and rescue,
tracking, obedience, sledding, agility and therapy/assistance to disabled, ill,
or elderly people. Though not for everyone, properly socialized and trained,
this high energy dog makes an excellent best friend and/or family companion dog.
Today the Belgian Groenendael and Tervuren are most often used as companion dogs
while the Laekenois and Malinois are used as guard dogs. |
| Group |
Herding |
|
Recognition |
CKC, FCI, UKC, KCGB, CKC, NKC, NZKC, ABLA, ANKC,
APRI, ACR |
|
CKC = Continental
Kennel Club
FCI = Fédération
Cynologique Internationale
UKC = United Kennel
Club
KCGB = Kennel
Club of Great Britain
CKC = Canadian
Kennel Club
NKC = National
Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand
Kennel Club
ABLA = American
Belgian Laekenois Association
ANKC = Australian
National Kennel Club
APRI = American Pet Registry Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry |
CH International, Belgium, Dutch Pierrewit van Kriekebos.
Belgian Shepherd Laekenois. Owned by Miss Karen Edwards (Australia) BISS Australian Ch Lanaken Ruff N Ready (IID)(HIT)
Sprout - Unite' des Fauves
de Saline shown working sheep. Owner: Sonja Ostrom. Breeder: Christine & Bernard Rie. Sire: Bel. Ch. Opiun van Kriekebos. Dam: Bel. Ch. Qwini van Kriekebos. Photographer: Kathy Champine
Belgian Laekenois
Pictures 1
Belgian Laekenois
Pictures 2
Belgian Laekenois
Pictures 3
Belgian Laekenois
Pictures 4
Belgian Laekenois
Pictures 5
Belgian Laekenois
Pictures 6
Belgian Laekenois
Pictures 7
|
|
