Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois)

Origin & history

The Laekenois is one of the four varieties of the Belgian Shepherd Dog, all developed in Belgium in the late 1800s when the country's native herding dogs were sorted and standardised by coat type. This rough-coated, wiry variety takes its name from the Chateau de Laeken, a royal residence near Brussels, and was traditionally used both to herd flocks and to guard the linen drying in the fields around Flanders. It is the oldest of the four varieties by some accounts and has always been the least numerous. Like its relatives it served in police and military roles, carrying messages in wartime, and it continues in herding, protection and detection work. The Laekenois is rare worldwide and decidedly uncommon in Australia, kept by a small number of dedicated Belgian Shepherd enthusiasts rather than as a mainstream pet.

Temperament

The Laekenois is intelligent, alert and intensely loyal, a dog that bonds closely with its family and wants to share in their activity. At home it is affectionate and devoted, and it can be good with children it is raised with, though its herding instinct and energy mean interactions with young children should be supervised and the urge to chase and nip redirected. It is naturally watchful and tends to be aloof or suspicious with strangers, a strong guarding instinct that makes early, ongoing socialisation essential to keep it sound rather than sharp. It can be assertive with unfamiliar dogs. Highly trainable and keen to work, it is also sensitive and does best with confident, fair, positive handling rather than heavy correction. As with all the Belgian varieties, the defining requirement is a real outlet for body and mind, since a bored or isolated Laekenois becomes anxious, vocal and destructive.

Appearance

A medium-to-large, square and athletic dog, generally 56 to 66 cm at the shoulder and around 20 to 30 kg, with bitches finer than dogs. Its hallmark is the coat, a harsh, dry, tousled and slightly unkempt wire texture that is quite distinct from its smooth and long-haired relatives, with a rough beard and brows framing the face. The colour is fawn to reddish fawn with traces of black shading, chiefly on the muzzle and tail. The head is long and clean, the dark eyes alert and intelligent, and the ears stiff, triangular and erect. The rugged coat and slightly rough outline give the Laekenois a workmanlike, weathered look compared with the polish of the other varieties.

Suitability

This breed is for experienced, very active owners who will commit to daily training, exercise and a genuine job such as herding, dog sport or working trials. It needs a house with a secure yard and suits rural or semi-rural life, and it is not a breed for apartments, quiet households or first-time owners. A Laekenois left alone and under-occupied becomes destructive and difficult, so it must be woven into an active daily routine rather than left in a yard. Early and thorough socialisation is vital given its protective nature. The harsh, weatherproof coat copes well with the Australian climate and offers good protection in the field, but as with any active dog, provide shade and water and keep hard exercise to the cooler parts of the day.

Health

Laekenois generally live 12 to 14 years and are a robust, hardy breed, helped by their small numbers having been bred largely for work. Even so, the inherited conditions common to the Belgian Shepherd varieties apply. Hip and elbow dysplasia occur, so breeding dogs should be hip and elbow scored. Eye conditions including progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts are seen, and epilepsy and thyroid problems are reported across the Belgian varieties, along with some skin sensitivities and occasional anaesthetic sensitivity. Given how few Laekenois there are, choosing a breeder who hip and elbow scores both parents, eye-tests them, and pays close attention to temperament and genetic diversity matters a great deal. Ask to see the test certificates and discuss the line's health history honestly before committing.