The Groendael Belgian Shepherd is the second most popular of the four Belgian Shepherds in existence, probably thanks to his beautiful black coat. He is undoubtedly a spectacular dog, a vision of elegance and distinction.
However, beauty is not the only attribute that this beautiful sheepdog has. It is also a very intelligent dog with a balanced character. Able to practice advanced training and respond wonderfully to all kinds of commands. This is an unusual dog.
If you are thinking of adopting a Belgian Groendael, in this tab on our site we will give you some advice about the behavior and education of this dog. Read on and find out everything about him:
History of the Belgian Shepherd Groenedael
The first breeder of Groenendael Belgian Shepherds was Nicholas Rose. The name of this variety comes from the name of the property that Mr. Rose had in the Soignes forest. Groenendael, in Flemish, means little green valley In 1896, the Groenendael was the first recognized variety of Belgian Shepherd. Over time, this dog gained popularity and today it is the most numerous Belgian Shepherd. It certainly has a beautiful coat.
This variety has been recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) since 1959, under the name of Belgian Sheepdog. Although each variety of Belgian Shepherd has a particular history, the history of the Groenendael is part of the history of the entire breed. To learn about the origin and history of this wonderful dog, visit the history of the Belgian Sheepdog.
Characteristics of the Belgian Shepherd Groenedael
Although the Groenendael is a strong, resistant and corpulent dog, he is not heavy. On the contrary, it is a very agile and dynamic dog. The body of this dog is square in structure (length equal to height) and the back is straight.
The head of this Belgian Shepherd is long, straight and thin. The forehead is flatter than rounded, and both the median furrow and the occipital ridge are poorly pronounced. The Groenendael's ears are triangular and small, with a pointed end. The slightly almond-shaped, brownish eyes should be as dark as possible and set obliquely. The stop is moderate.
The Groenendael Belgian Shepherd's muzzle is narrower at its tip than at its base, but it is not quite pointed. Its strong jaws give it a scissor bite.
The coat is long, although not as long as in other long-haired breeds (for example, the border collie). It is longer at the neck and forechest, forming a necklace that is very pleasing to the eye. It is also longer at the back of the thighs and at the tail. It must be black and only small white spots on the chest and fingers are accepted.
The Groenendael's tail should reach to the hock or, better yet, extend beyond it. At rest, the tail hangs down and its end curves backwards, but without taking the shape of a hook. The long, thick fur on the tail forms a tuft.
The forelimbs are straight and, seen from the front, are parallel. The rear limbs of the Groenendael are powerful but without appearing heavy. They have normal angulation.
The height at the withers for males ranges between 60 and 66 centimeters. For females, the height range at the withers is between 56 and 62 centimeters. The weight of the males should be between 25 and 30 kilograms. That of the females must be between 20 and 25 kilograms.
Groenedael Belgian Shepherd Character
The Groenendael is a dog alert, intelligent, brave and loyal. This dog has very marked protective, territorial and herding instincts. Therefore, it is necessary to socialize it correctly from puppyhood.
Also, as he tends to be a very active dog, the Belgian Shepherd Groenendael needs some occupation to keep him entertained. If he is not given enough physical and mental exercise, he may develop behavioral problems. His sheepdog instinct can lead him to try to direct whatever living being is within reach of him.
him He can get along with other pets, but for this he must be socialized from a very young age. If socialization is inadequate, this dog may be dominant with other dogs, and suspicious of pets of other species.
Groenedael Belgian Shepherd care
The Belgian Groenendael can live peacefully in an apartment or in a large house with a garden. However, in either case, he must be provided with enough physical and mental exercise, as well as enough company. The Groenendael hates loneliness and boredom so it is essential to think about these details before adopting one. We must make sure we have time to dedicate to this extraordinary dog.
On the other hand, we must point out that he loses hair throughout the year, but loses even more in two annual moulting seasons. It is necessary to brush it daily and take it to the canine hairdresser with some regularity. Discover on our site some tricks to make your dog's coat shine.
Education of the Belgian Shepherd Groenedael
Since the Belgian Shepherd Groendael is a puppy, we must start working on his education and training. Precisely because of his great mental abilities, it is highly recommended to propose activities to this dog on a regular basis.
The first step in education will be to work with him on socialization, bite inhibition or mental stimulation. Anything that can offer a enrichment to our dog's life will please him. In his adult stage we will actively work on the basic obedience orders and we will be able to continue advancing in more complex orders and physical activities that include stimulation. Agility is a clear example of this.
Groenedael Belgian Shepherd He alth
There are no specific diseases in this variety of Belgian shepherd, however it is susceptible to any common ailment in dogs. To ensure his good he alth we will visit the vet every 6 months, we will strictly follow the vaccination schedule and deworm the dog with the appropriate frequency. All these cares will help to improve the he alth of the dog.
We would like to point out that the Groenendael can become overweight quite easily, so care must be taken with its diet. Looking at the keys to preventing obesity can help us in this regard.
