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Belgian Laekenois
Puppies for Sale
Belgian Laekenois
(Chien de Berger Belge) (Belgian
Shepherd Laekenois)
CH International, Belgium, Dutch Pierrewit van Kriekebos
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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. |
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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. Some are very shy or
sensitive. This breed needs extensive socialization from an early age, and firm,
but not harsh, training from an experienced master. If you are harsh or
overbearing they will become uncooperative. The Laekenois are instinctively
protective so they 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. Ever-watchful, alert and loyal, they thrive on loving companionship.
Belgian Sheepdogs are good with children if socialized well with them. The
Belgian Laekenois needs to be part of the family and not locked up in a kennel.
It does best given 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. Belgian Sheepdogs tend to bond
strongly with one or two people. Take care when introducing this dog with small
non-canine pets. Generally this Sheepdog gets along well with children, but they
can be rather dominant toward other dogs. They should not present any problems
provided they are correctly socialized with cats and other pets. This Belgian
Sheepdog may instinctively display herding behavior such as chasing, circling,
and moving effortlessly for hours and nipping at people's heels. Good for
working and competitive obedience. This is a very demanding dog. It needs an
experienced owner and can easily be difficult to control unless the owner knows
how to handle him. There can be wide differences in temperament and
aggressiveness. Talk to someone experienced with the breed before you buy your
dog. Although these dogs are often impressive, don't base your purchase solely
on achievement records and appearances. Animals displaying excessive aggression
or fearfulness should be avoided. |
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Height, Weight |
Height: Dogs 24-26 inches (61-66 cm.) Bitches
22-24 inches (56-61 cm.)
Weight: 55-65 pounds (24-29 kg.) |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 |
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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 |
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Recognition |
CKC, FCI, UKC, KCGB, CKC, NKC, NZKC, ABLA, ANKC,
APRI, ACR |
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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
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