Belgian Shepherd Groenendael
The first breeder of Belgian shepherds Groenendael was Nicholas Rose. The name of this variety comes from the name of the property that Mr. Rose owned in Forest of Care. Groenendael, in flemish means small green valley. In 1896, Groenendael was the first recognized Belgian shepherd variety. Over time, this dog has gained popularity and is now the most numerous Belgian shepherd. It certainly has a lovely fur.
- This variety has been recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) since 1959.
- Under the name of Belgian Shepherd.
- Although each variety of Belgian shepherd has a special history.
- The history of Groenendael is part of the history of the whole race.
Although the Groenendael is a strong, sturdy and stocky dog, it is not heavy. On the contrary, it is a very agile and dynamic dog. The body of this dog has a square structure (length equal to the height) and the spine is straight.
The head of this Belgian shepherd is long, straight and thin. The forehead is flatter than round and the occipital ledge. Groenendael’s ears are triangular and small, with a pointed end. The slightly almond and brown eyes should be as dark as possible and arranged obliquely. The closure is moderate.
The snout of the Belgian shepherd Groenendael is narrower at its end than at its base, but not entirely sharp. Their strong jaws give you a scissor bite.
The fur is long, but not as long as in other long-haired breeds (e.g. the Border Collie). It is longer at the neck and front of the chest, forming a nice necklace. It is also longer on the back of the thighs and on the tail. It should be black and only small white spots on the chest and fingers are accepted.
The groenendael tail must reach the hock or pass it. At rest, the tail hangs and its end curves backwards, but does not engage.
The front ends are straight and, from the front, parallel. Groenendael’s butts are powerful but without giving the impression of being heavy. They have a normal angle.
The height at the cross in males varies between 60 and 66 centimeters. For females, the average height at the cross is between 56 and 62 centimeters. Males must weigh between 25 and 30 kilograms. The female must weigh between 20 and 25 kilos.
Groenendael is an alert dog, intelligent, brave and faithful. This dog has strong instincts for protection, territoriality and breeding. Therefore, it is necessary to socialize it properly from puppy.
In addition, being a very active dog, the Belgian shepherd Groenendael needs some occupation to entertain him. If you don’t do enough physical and mental exercise, you can develop behavioral problems. Your shepherd dog instinct can lead you to
You can get along with other animals, but for that you have to be socialized from an early age. If socialization is inadequate, this dog can be dominant with other dogs and distrust pets of other species.
Belgian shepherd Groenendael can live quietly in an apartment or in a large house with garden. However, in both cases, you should benefit from sufficient physical and mental exercise, as well as sufficient companionship. Groenendael does not like loneliness, so it is essential to think about these factors before adopting a specimen of this breed. You must make sure you have enough time to dedicate it to this amazing dog.
On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that he loses hair all year round, but loses even more in two annual seasons of moulting. It is necessary to brush it daily and take it to the canine hairdresser with some regularity.
From puppy should start working on the education and training of the Belgian pastor Groenendael. Precisely because of its great mental abilities, it is highly recommended to offer regular activities to this dog.
The first step in education will be to work with him on socialization, inhibition of bites or mental stimulation. Anything that can enrich the dog’s life will please you. As an adult, you need to actively work on basic obedience orders and can continue to progress in more complex physical orders and activities that include stimulation. Agility is a clear example.
There are no specific diseases in this Belgian shepherd variety, but it is likely that you have some common disease in dogs. To ensure your good health, you should consult your veterinarian every 6 months, strictly follow the vaccination schedule and deworm the puppy as often as necessary. All these precautions will help the dog to enjoy a better state of health.