Information, Facts & Origins of the Belgian Sheepdog
The Belgian
Sheepdog
comes from
Belgium and was bred originally to
herd
and guard sheep.
The Belgian Sheepdog is also known by the other names of
Groenendael and Chien de Berger Belge.
Although bred as a herding dog this breed was used as in World War
I and became a real hero on the battlefields where they worked as
message carriers and ambulance dogs. This dog is classified as one of the
Herding Dog Group which we
go on to describe in detail in the section at the bottom of this
page. The Belgian Sheepdog was first Registered by the AKC (American Kennel Club) in 1912.
Name Facts and Dog Names: This dog's name is often referred to in two separate
words as the Sheep Dog.
Description
of the Belgian Sheepdog and Puppies - Coat and Colours information
The Belgian Sheepdog's coat is normally a shade of black or black
with limited white.
The coat is normally long, full and straight with a dense
undercoat.
Dog & Puppies Health information - potential problems of the Belgian Sheepdog Breed
All owners of dogs and puppies
are concerned about the health care of their pets and just as with
humans dog health issues arise from time to time. Resolving dog
health problems, including those of the Belgian Sheepdog, can prove to be
costly and it would be wise to consider the benefits of obtaining
dog health insurance. Diseases in dogs may occur because of
trauma, infection, immune system abnormalities, genetic factors,
or degenerative conditions. Common health problems and questions
occur in relation to the Bones, Joints, Muscles, Nerves, Ears,
Eyes, Teeth and the Mouth. Other, more serious, issues can relate
to the Digestive System, Heart & Respiratory Systems, Immune &
Blood Systems, Reproduction and Urinary Systems. Potential health
problems of the Belgian Sheepdog can include:
Hip dysplasia
(abnormal development of hip joints)
Epilepsy
Eye problems
Online
Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems Please click the following link for additional
information which we have provided via our:
This describes the most common canine health problems concisely but simply without using medical jargon. A section on Dog and Puppy Vaccinations is also included offering information on each of the diseases, symptoms and effects for which immunization vaccines are available. Not sure of the name of the dog or puppy illness? A Dog Symptom Sorter is also featured. The Online Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems should only be used as an informational guide and when and if any dog or puppies health problems occur it is essential to raise any questions you may have with a Dog Health care professional.
Information
on Grooming and Care of the Belgian Sheepdog Breed
The Belgian
Sheepdog
requires weekly care and grooming. All dog breeds require a certain amount of grooming
and care is necessary to keep dogs and puppies looking at their best.
Grooming consists of not only brushing out the coat and bathing
but also giving attention to the eyes, teeth, ears, feet and
nails. A regular routine also ensures that any potential health
problems are identified as quickly as possible, especially
important in puppies and older Belgian Sheep Dogs.
Life
Expectancy information of the Belgian Sheepdog Breed
The life
expectancy for this particular breed is 12 – 15 years.
Age
comparison between the Belgian Sheepdog Breed and a Human
Age
comparisons between dogs and humans are always a matter of
debate - we hope that the following information clarifies the
situation. After the first year of life, a dog is equivalent to
sixteen human years. After two years, they are equivalent to a 24 year old, at
three years a 30 year old, and each year after, add 5 human years to determine
a dog's age.
The
Pictures reflect the Size of Adults - not Children and Puppies!
The pictures above allow for a useful comparison of sizes
providing an accurate portrait of the size of an average Belgian
Sheepdog- essential
information but unique to this site. It should also be noted that
the pictures feature adults. The size of puppies are naturally
considerably smaller and the full grown size of the animal can
easily be forgotten when confronted with cute puppies! The slogan
" A dog isn't just for Christmas - it's for life!" was necessitated
by well meaning people buying puppies at the Christmas, unaware of
the puppies growth rate. The pictures provided make it extremely
clear exactly how small puppies will develop and whether it will
suit the life and living conditions of the family.
Belgian Sheep Dog - Puppies Info and Names
The
Puppies section, accessed via the Site Index, provides detailed
information about Choosing the right puppy, Puppy Training, Puppy
Care and Puppy Behavior, Growth & Development. We recommend that
the following considerations should always be taken into account
when choosing puppies:
Budget
- Purchasing, training, equipment, medication and feeding
costs of the breed
Convenience
and Grooming time e.g. long or short hair
Personal
situation - time available and medical conditions such as allergies,
asthma or back pain
Exercising
requirements for the Belgian Sheepdog breed
Living
Conditions for the dog breed - suitability for puppies
Family
- child suitability
Puppy and Dog
Names - The Importance of choosing the right names
Herding
Dog Breed Information
Dogs in the Herding Group ( sometimes referred to as the Pastoral
Group )
include the Belgian Sheepdog, were developed to perform a variety of tasks
relating mainly to the herding of livestock. The types of
livestock that these dogs are associated with are quite diverse
and include sheep, cattle, reindeer and any other cloven footed animals.
The Herding groups of dogs are eminently suited to these pastoral
tasks as many of the breeds have a weatherproof double coat to protect
them from the elements when working in severe weather conditions. Their
natural abilities have been fully recognised and the initial
livestock herding function have been extended to
include police work and Search & Rescue amongst other duties.
Herding
Dog Breed Duties and Tasks
Characteristics and features of Herding Dogs, including the Belgian Sheepdog,
have been introduced and strengthened by breeding with animals who
already demonstrated the desired traits. Breeding for appearance
was only introduced in the 19th Century. Before this time dogs and
puppies were bred to increase useful abilities and traits helpful
for the duties they were intended for. Herding Group dogs share the
amazing ability to control the movement of other animals. They
also have great stamina reserves which allow them to work from
dawn to dusk. The dogs are tenacious creatures who have the
ability to herd animals such as cattle which are many times their
size. They leap, run around frantically and nip at the heels of
any animals that they are herding. Add this behaviour to aggressive
barking and steely eye contact and their ability to influence much
larger animals is fully understood.
Thus,
the various Herding breeds, including the Belgian Sheepdog, were bred
and introduced to help man according to his specific requirements
such as:
Herding
or Droving various animals including cattle and reindeer
Police
work
Tracking
Providing
a service to handicapped owners
Performing
Search
& Rescue
Acting
as sentries and couriers for
the Armed Forces
In
this day and age not every Belgian Sheepdog might be called to undertake these
tasks, but nevertheless, they still harbour the skills and
characteristics that made the original Belgian Sheepdog breeding program
successful.
The
Herding dogs are medium to large in size. They are intelligent, active, courageous, and
determined dogs who make excellent companions and respond well to
firm training. Their instincts are very strong and given half a
chance they will try to herd, or round up, the family. They
enjoy work and look to their owners to provide tasks to enable
them to meet their instincts and be rewarded accordingly.
Examples
of other Breeds within the Herding Dog Group
The Herding group includes the Belgian Sheepdog
and all of
the following breeds:
Australian Cattle Dogs, Australian Shepherds, Bearded Collies, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdogs, Belgian Tervurens, Border Collies, Bouvier des Flandres, Briards, Canaan Dogs, Cardigan Welsh Corgis, Collies, German Shepherd Dogs, Old English Sheepdogs, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs,
Pulis and the Shetland Sheepdogs.
Name Facts and Dog Names: This dog's name is often referred to in two separate
words as the Belgian Sheep Dog. Pictures and information about all of the above Herding breeds,
together with all other dog groups, may be found
on this website via the following links:
