The Belgian Shepherd Dog is a versatile and highly intelligent dog which exists in four distinct coat types Groenendael: black and long coat; Tervueren: long coated and seen in red, fawn or grey, often with a black mask and overlay; Malinois: with a dense, short coat and with the same colourings as the Tervueren; and Laekenois: a harsh wiry coat, red/fawn with some black shadings.
They are excellent herding dogs, being fast and agile, and their intelligent and hardworking nature has also seen them used by the police and the armed forces. They enjoy working and acting as a guard, be it to flocks of sheep or to their owners, to whom they will be supremely loyal. This is not a dog who can exist on small amounts of exercise; it demands plenty of exercise and human companionship. They will excel at agility, herding and obedience competitions, which will keep this intelligent and active dog happy and fulfilled. This dog is best suited to an experienced owner, who can deal with the high physical demands of this breed and the potential variants in their temperament. For the right owner, this is a loyal and active companion that will enjoy being part of the family.
History
This breed dates back to Belgium in the Middle Ages, where they were used as herding dogs. Each of the varieties is named after Belgian villages: Groenendael, Laekenois, Mechelar (Malinois) and Tervuren.
