Belgian Shepherd
比利時牧羊犬
Draft — this profile is still being checked.
At a glance
The Belgian Shepherd Dog is a single FCI breed with four coat varieties — Groenendael, Tervueren, Malinois and Laekenois — officially born between 1891 and 1897 under Professor A. Reul of the Cureghem veterinary school in Brussels. Originally a herding dog, it is today a working dog for guarding, defence and tracking, an all-purpose service dog and a family dog: square, medium-sized and dry-muscled, built to resist the Belgian climate, with an ideal height at the withers of 62 cm for males and 58 cm for females (limits 2 cm less, 4 cm more) and a weight of about 25–30 kg and 20–25 kg. The standard describes a watchful, active dog bursting with energy and always ready to leap into action, the stubborn and keen protector of its owner, with a lively, alert temperament and a confident nature showing no fear or aggressiveness.
Facts
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Height | 56–66cm |
| Weight | 20–30kg |
| Breed group | FCI: 1 |
| Role | Herding |
| Coat | Double coat |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip and elbow dysplasia and inherited eye conditions
The Royal Kennel Club, which registers the four varieties separately, lists the same pre-breeding screening for each: hip testing under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme, elbow testing under the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme and eye testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme. Ask your breeder for the parents' hip and elbow scores and eye certificates.
Behaviour
Watchful, energetic, and a keen protector
The FCI standard's Behaviour / Temperament section reads: "The Belgian Shepherd is a watchful and active dog, bursting with energy, and always ready to leap into action. As well as its innate skill at guarding flocks, it also possesses the highly prized qualities of the best guard dog of property. Without any hesitation it is the stubborn and keen protector of its owner. It brings together all those qualities necessary for a shepherd, guard, defence and service dog. Its lively, alert temperament and its confident nature, showing no fear or aggressiveness, should be obvious in its body stance and the proud attentive expression in its sparkling eyes. When judging this breed, one should take into consideration its calm and fearless temperament."
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
FCI nomenclature — Chien de Berger Belge (Belgian Shepherd Dog) (standard no. 15, group 1)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael)
Breed A–Z entry with breed characteristics and the pre-breeding health screening schemes the Royal Kennel Club recommends for the breed.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Chien de Berger Belge (Belgian Shepherd Dog) — FCI standard no. 15 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]FCI-Standard No. 15 — Chien de Berger Belge (Belgian Shepherd Dog), 19.04.2002 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) — Breed Information (health and breed characteristics) — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
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Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.