Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 4.0 dog breed · 927 on Animalso
Belgian Shepherd: Belgian Herding Dog
- Animal
- Dog
- Type
- Herding dog
- Origin
- Belgium
- Height
- 56 cm
- Weight
- 20 kg
The Belgian Shepherd is a medium-sized herding dog from Belgium. It is also called the Belgian Sheepdog or Chien de Berger Belge. The breed includes four varieties: the black, long-haired Groenendael; rough-haired, fawn Laekenois; short-haired, fawn Malinois; and long-haired, fawn Tervueren. Recorded height is 56 cm and weight is 20 kg.
What the Belgian Shepherd is
The Belgian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog breed from Belgium. It was bred as a herding dog. You may also see the names Belgian Sheepdog and Chien de Berger Belge.
Choosing a variety
Start by identifying the coat and color variety that matches the dog you are considering. The four varieties are Groenendael, Laekenois, Malinois and Tervueren.
What stands out
This breed has a clear herding background and a defined Belgian origin. Its four varieties give the breed name a range of coat types and colors.
Points to check
The Belgian Shepherd name covers four distinct varieties, so coat and color are not uniform across the breed. The American Kennel Club treats those varieties as separate breeds.
Size recorded for the breed
The recorded height is 56 cm, and the recorded weight is 20 kg. No lifespan figure is given here.
Who may want another breed
People looking for a breed without a herding background should compare other dog breeds. Those researching Belgian origins can browse dog breeds from Belgium and compare the options.
Verdict
Choose the Belgian Shepherd if you want a Belgian herding dog and are prepared to distinguish among its four recognized varieties. Its medium size, 56 cm recorded height and 20 kg recorded weight give a basic starting point, while the coat and color depend on the variety.
What stands out
- Bred as a herding dog.
- Originates in Belgium.
- Available in four coat and color varieties.
- Also known as the Belgian Sheepdog and Chien de Berger Belge.
Worth knowing
- The name covers four distinct varieties.
- Coat types range from short-haired to long- and rough-haired.
- The American Kennel Club treats the varieties as separate breeds.
Suits
- People seeking a Belgian herding breed.
- Readers comparing the four Belgian Shepherd varieties.
Think twice if
- You want a breed without a herding background.
- You prefer one uniform coat type and color.
In short
The Belgian Shepherd is a Belgian herding dog with four named varieties rather than one uniform appearance. Groenendael, Laekenois, Malinois and Tervueren differ in coat type and color, and the American Kennel Club recognizes them as separate breeds. A recorded height of 56 cm and weight of 20 kg place it in the medium-size range. This breed suits readers focused on Belgian working origins and willing to choose among the varieties. Consider another breed if herding history or multiple coat types do not match your plans.
Questions
Where does the Belgian Shepherd come from?
The Belgian Shepherd originated in Belgium.
What was the Belgian Shepherd bred to do?
It was bred as a herding dog.
How large is a Belgian Shepherd?
The recorded height is 56 cm and the recorded weight is 20 kg.
What are the four Belgian Shepherd varieties?
They are the long-haired black Groenendael, rough-haired fawn Laekenois, short-haired fawn Malinois and long-haired fawn Tervueren.
Is the Belgian Shepherd also called another name?
Yes. It is also called the Belgian Sheepdog or the Chien de Berger Belge.
Does the American Kennel Club treat the varieties as one breed?
The American Kennel Club considers the four varieties to be separate breeds.
More dog breeds from Belgium
Belgian Mastiff Belgium Photo: W. E. Mason · Public domain 
Groenendael Belgium Photo: Nachoferreyra · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Other herding dog breeds
Phalène Belgium Photo: Pleple2000 · CC BY-SA 3.0 
Schipperke Belgium Weight 4 kg Photo: 鏑木對馬守 · Public domain 
Tervuren Belgium Photo: Patty Carlson · CC BY 2.0 
Photo credits17 photographs on this page
- Belgian Shepherd — Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
- Belgian Malinois — Svenska Mässan · CC BY 2.0 · file page
- Belgian Mastiff — W. E. Mason · Public domain · file page
- bloodhound — Mary Bloom · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
- Bouvier des Ardennes — Andreagenial · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Bouvier des Flandres — Basco · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Griffon Bruxellois — Arne Fagerholt · CC BY 3.0 · file page
- Groenendael — Nachoferreyra · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
- Laekenois — Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Papillon — Gvdmoort · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Petit brabançon — Hans Bleeker · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Phalène — Pleple2000 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Schipperke — 鏑木對馬守 · Public domain · file page
- St. Hubert — Internet Archive Book Images · No restrictions · file page
- Tervuren — Patty Carlson · CC BY 2.0 · file page
- Australian Kelpie — D.N. Geerlings · CC BY-SA 2.5 nl · file page
- Australian Shepherd — Christoph Aeschlimann · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under the licence each one names. How Animalso credits photographs.