|
|
More Belgian Sheepdog Pictures
|
|
| Affection: |
  |
| Energy: |
|
| Playfulness: |
|
| Sociability - dogs: |
|
| Sociability - other pets: |
|
| Sociability - strangers: |
|
| Trainability: |
|
| Exercise needs: |
|
| Grooming needs: |
|
| Suitability to cold: |
|
| Suitability to heat: |
|
| Watch dog capability: |
|
| Guard dog capability: |
|
Belgian Sheepdog History
-
Also called the Groenendael, after the kennel that first bred them at the end of the 19th century, the Belgian Sheepdog is a breed that was developed by the crossbreeding of various herding and working dogs in and around Belgium. In much of the world the Belgian Sheepdog, along with the Tervuren and Malinois, is recognized simply as the Belgian Shepherd; in the United States, however, the three breeds are recognized as being distinct from each other.
The Belgian Sheepdog was first recognized formally as a breed in its native land in 1891. In 1903, the first working dog trials featuring the Belgian Sheepdog were held and measured performance in areas of agility and obedience with spectacular results. These proud and noble dogs served in World War I as machine gun pullers, messengers and ambulance dogs. The Belgian Sheepdog was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1912, and was recognized as being distinct from the Belgian Malinois and Tervuren in 1959. To this day, the Belgian Sheepdog is used as a worker, hunter, herder, rescuer and policedog.
