Everything a First-Time Dog Owner Should Know
Belgium is not only famous for its chocolates, waffles, and historic landmarks—it’s also home to some of the world’s most unique and versatile dog breeds. Historically, many of these native Belgian dogs were bred for practical purposes, serving as hardworking herders, loyal guardians, and even skilled rat hunters. From large, powerful protectors to small, spirited companions, Belgian dog breeds have played an essential role in the country’s rural and urban life.In this article, we’ll introduce you to seven incredible dog breeds that hail from Belgium. Each breed carries a rich history and distinct characteristics, showcasing the diversity and charm of Belgium’s canine heritage. Whether you’re a dog enthusiast or simply curious, join us as we explore these remarkable breeds and their fascinating roles in Belgian culture.
Belgian Laekenois
The Belgian Laekenois (pronounced lak-in-wah) is one of four closely related Belgian shepherd dog breeds, alongside the Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, and Belgian Tervuren. These breeds share a similar size and body type, originally bred to herd livestock, guard property, and protect people. In Belgium, they are considered different varieties of a single breed—the Belgian Shepherd Dog—with their main differences lying in coat type and color.The Laekenois is the rarest of the four and gets its name from the town of Laeken in the Brussels region. Known for its unique wiry coat, which gives it a slightly messy, tousled look, the Laekenois is a loyal, watchful, and protective breed that forms strong bonds with its family. In the United States, it is recognized by the American Kennel Club as part of the Herding Group.
Breed Overview
Group: Herding
Height: 24–26 inches (males); 22–24 inches (females)
Weight: 55–65 poundsCoat: Medium-length double coat with a wiry, curly texture
Coat Color: Red, fawn, or gray, often with black shading on the muzzle or tail
Life Expectancy: 10–12 yearsThe Belgian Laekenois is a versatile and affectionate breed, perfect for those who appreciate a loyal and hardworking companion.
Breed Overview
Group: Herding
Height: 24–26 inches (males); 22–24 inches (females)
Weight: 55–65 poundsCoat: Medium-length double coat with a wiry, curly texture
Coat Color: Red, fawn, or gray, often with black shading on the muzzle or tail
Life Expectancy: 10–12 yearsThe Belgian Laekenois is a versatile and affectionate breed, perfect for those who appreciate a loyal and hardworking companion.
Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois originated in the Malines region near Brussels. Like its Belgian shepherd cousins, it was bred to herd sheep and protect families and farms. What sets the Malinois apart is its short coat, making it unique among the Belgian shepherd breeds. In the United States, the Malinois is perhaps the most well-known Belgian shepherd, thanks to its widespread use as a military and police K-9.The Malinois is often confused with the German Shepherd, but there are key differences. The Malinois has a squarer body shape and a slightly lighter build. Its coat is shorter than a German Shepherd’s, and many describe the Malinois as having a more intense personality and higher energy level. In the U.S., the Malinois is recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as part of the Herding Group.
Breed Overview
Group: Herding
Height: 22–26 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 50–80 pounds
Coat and Color: Short double coat in shades of rich fawn to mahogany, with a black mask and ears
Life Expectancy: 14–16 yearsThe Belgian Malinois is a highly intelligent, driven, and loyal breed, making it a favorite for demanding roles like police work and military service, as well as an active and devoted family companion.
Breed Overview
Group: Herding
Height: 22–26 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 50–80 pounds
Coat and Color: Short double coat in shades of rich fawn to mahogany, with a black mask and ears
Life Expectancy: 14–16 yearsThe Belgian Malinois is a highly intelligent, driven, and loyal breed, making it a favorite for demanding roles like police work and military service, as well as an active and devoted family companion.
Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendael)
The Belgian Sheepdog stands out among the Belgian shepherd breeds with its long, sleek, solid black coat. While it’s known as the Belgian Sheepdog in the United States, it’s called the Groenendael (pronounced Groan-en-dahl) in other parts of the world, named after the village where this variety was first developed. Originally bred to herd sheep and cattle, the Belgian Sheepdog also served as a police and military dog. Today, this breed continues to showcase its versatility, excelling in roles such as search and rescue, service and therapy work, and competitive sports like obedience, agility, herding, Schutzhund, and tracking. Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Belgian Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Group.
Breed Overview
Group: Herding
Height: 22–26 inches
Weight: 55–75 pounds (male), 45–60 pounds (female)
Coat and Color: Thick double coat, solid black
Life Expectancy: 12–14 years
The Belgian Sheepdog is a highly intelligent, adaptable, and hardworking breed, making it a loyal companion and a standout performer in a variety of roles.
Breed Overview
Group: Herding
Height: 22–26 inches
Weight: 55–75 pounds (male), 45–60 pounds (female)
Coat and Color: Thick double coat, solid black
Life Expectancy: 12–14 years
The Belgian Sheepdog is a highly intelligent, adaptable, and hardworking breed, making it a loyal companion and a standout performer in a variety of roles.
Belgian Tervuren
The Belgian Tervuren is one of the four Belgian shepherd breeds and looks very similar to its cousin, the Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendael). Both have long, thick double coats, but while the Sheepdog’s coat is solid black, the Tervuren’s coat comes in shades of tan, ranging from light fawn to deep russet mahogany, with black accents and a black mask on the face.
Named after the village of Tervuren, where the breed was standardized, the Tervuren shares the high energy and working drive of other Belgian shepherds. This breed thrives on plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Tervurens are deeply affectionate and form strong bonds with their families, often becoming quite protective. Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Belgian Tervuren is part of the Herding Group.
Breed Overview
Group: Herding
Height: 24–26 inches (males); 22–24 inches (females)
Weight: 55–75 pounds (males); 45–60 pounds (females)
Coat: Thick double coat
Coat Color: Red, fawn, or gray with black overlay and a black muzzle
Life Expectancy: 10–14 years
The Belgian Tervuren is a loyal, intelligent, and energetic breed, making it an excellent companion for active families or those involved in dog sports and working roles.
Named after the village of Tervuren, where the breed was standardized, the Tervuren shares the high energy and working drive of other Belgian shepherds. This breed thrives on plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Tervurens are deeply affectionate and form strong bonds with their families, often becoming quite protective. Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Belgian Tervuren is part of the Herding Group.
Breed Overview
Group: Herding
Height: 24–26 inches (males); 22–24 inches (females)
Weight: 55–75 pounds (males); 45–60 pounds (females)
Coat: Thick double coat
Coat Color: Red, fawn, or gray with black overlay and a black muzzle
Life Expectancy: 10–14 years
The Belgian Tervuren is a loyal, intelligent, and energetic breed, making it an excellent companion for active families or those involved in dog sports and working roles.
Bouvier des Flanders
The Bouvier des Flandres comes from the Flanders region of Belgium, as its name suggests. Like other Belgian herding breeds—such as the Laekenois, Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, and Tervuren—the Bouvier was originally used to herd livestock and assist on farms. However, the Bouvier is larger and more powerful than most herding breeds, with a sturdy, heavy build. Its most distinctive feature is its rough, shaggy coat, giving it a unique, tousled appearance. Unlike some high-energy herding dogs, Bouviers are known for their calm and steady temperament.This breed requires early socialization and consistent training from an experienced owner who can provide plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation. Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Bouvier des Flandres is part of the Herding Group.
Breed Overview
Group: Herding
Height: 23.5–27.5 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 70–100 pounds
Coat and Color: Long, shaggy, rough double coat in black, salt and pepper, gray, fawn, or brindle
Life Expectancy: 10–12 yearsThe Bouvier des Flandres is a loyal, hardworking, and gentle giant, making it a wonderful companion for those who can meet its training and exercise needs.
Breed Overview
Group: Herding
Height: 23.5–27.5 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 70–100 pounds
Coat and Color: Long, shaggy, rough double coat in black, salt and pepper, gray, fawn, or brindle
Life Expectancy: 10–12 yearsThe Bouvier des Flandres is a loyal, hardworking, and gentle giant, making it a wonderful companion for those who can meet its training and exercise needs.
Brussels Griffon
The Brussels Griffon may be the smallest breed native to Belgium, but it has a larger-than-life personality. Originally bred as a scrappy ratter in horse stables, this little dog quickly won the hearts of royalty, starting with Belgium’s Queen Henrietta Maria in the 1870s. It’s easy to see why—the Brussels Griffon’s scruffy face, expressive eyes, and charming demeanor are hard to resist. Thanks to the queen’s admiration, the breed moved from stables and streets to palaces and cozy laps.Today, the Brussels Griffon is the ultimate lap dog and companion. It thrives on human attention and doesn’t do well when left alone for long periods. Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Brussels Griffon is part of the Toy Group.
Breed Overview
Group: ToyHeight: 7–10 inches
Weight: 6–12 pounds
Coat and Colors: Smooth or rough coat in red, black and tan, solid black, or belge (a mix of black and reddish brown)
Life Expectancy: 12–15 yearsThe Brussels Griffon is a delightful, affectionate, and lively little dog, perfect for those who want a loyal and entertaining companion.
Breed Overview
Group: ToyHeight: 7–10 inches
Weight: 6–12 pounds
Coat and Colors: Smooth or rough coat in red, black and tan, solid black, or belge (a mix of black and reddish brown)
Life Expectancy: 12–15 yearsThe Brussels Griffon is a delightful, affectionate, and lively little dog, perfect for those who want a loyal and entertaining companion.
Schipperke
The Schipperke (pronounced skip-er-key) has a long history in Belgium, dating back hundreds of years to Medieval times. Originating in the Flemish provinces, these small but sturdy dogs were commonly seen in Belgian dockyards. They played a vital role as rat hunters on barges and canal boats, helping to control disease-carrying rodents. They also served as guard dogs and loyal companions to boat workers. In fact, the name “Schipperke” translates to “little captain” in English. These little dogs were also popular with shopkeepers, thanks to their skills as watchdogs and vermin catchers.The Schipperke is small, solid black, and has a compact, square-shaped body with no tail. Known for their lively and spirited personality, Schipperkes are full of energy and charm. Today, they remain excellent watchdogs, quick to alert their owners to strangers, and are still skilled at keeping rats at bay. Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Schipperke is part of the Non-Sporting Group.
Breed Overview
Group: Non-Sporting
Weight: 10–16 pounds
Height: 10–13 inches tall at the shoulder
Coat and Color: Thick, straight, and slightly rough to the touch. Shorter on the face and front legs, medium on the body, and longer around the neck and back legs. Solid black coat.
Life Expectancy: 12–14 yearsThe Schipperke is a lively, intelligent, and fearless little dog, making it a great companion and watchdog for active households.
Breed Overview
Group: Non-Sporting
Weight: 10–16 pounds
Height: 10–13 inches tall at the shoulder
Coat and Color: Thick, straight, and slightly rough to the touch. Shorter on the face and front legs, medium on the body, and longer around the neck and back legs. Solid black coat.
Life Expectancy: 12–14 yearsThe Schipperke is a lively, intelligent, and fearless little dog, making it a great companion and watchdog for active households.