Content
- History of Belgian Shepherd Groenendael
- Characteristics of the Belgian Shepherd Groenendael
- Character of the Belgian Shepherd Groenendael
- Care of the Belgian Shepherd Groenendael
- Education of the Belgian Shepherd Groenendael
- Health of the Belgian Shepherd Groenendael
O Belgian Shepherd Groenendael it is the second most popular of the four existing Belgian Shepherds, most likely thanks to its beautiful black fur. It is undoubtedly a spectacular dog, owner of superb elegance.
However, beauty is not the only attribute this cute sheepdog has. It is also a very smart dog of balanced character. Able to practice advanced training and respond very well to all types of orders. It is an unusual dog.
If you are thinking about adopting a Belgian Shepherd Groendael, in this PeritoAnimal breed sheet we will give you some advice on the behavior and education of this dog. Keep reading and find out all about it.
Source
- Europe
- Belgium
- Group I
- Slender
- muscular
- provided
- toy
- Small
- Medium
- Great
- Giant
- 15-35
- 35-45
- 45-55
- 55-70
- 70-80
- more than 80
- 1-3
- 3-10
- 10-25
- 25-45
- 45-100
- Low
- Average
- High
- Balanced
- Shy
- very faithful
- Intelligent
- Active
- Tender
- Houses
- hiking
- Surveillance
- Sport
- Cold
- Warm
- Moderate
- Long
- Smooth
- Thin
History of Belgian Shepherd Groenendael
The first breeder of Belgian Shepherds Groenendael was Nicholas Rose. The name of this variety comes from the name of the estate that Mr. Rose owned in the forest of Soigner. Greenendael, in flamenco means small green valley. In 1896, Groenendael was the first recognized Belgian Shepherd variety. Over time, this dog gained popularity and today is the most numerous Belgian Shepherd. It definitely has a nice coat.
This variety has been recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) since 1959, under the name Belgian Shepherd. Although each Belgian Shepherd variety has a particular story, the story of the Groenendael is part of the story of the entire breed.
Characteristics of the Belgian Shepherd Groenendael
Although Groenendael is a dog strong, tough and burly, it is not heavy. On the contrary, it is a very agile and dynamic dog. The body of this dog has a square 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 round and the occipital bulge is not very pronounced. The Groenendael's ears are triangular and small, with a pointed tip. The slightly almond-shaped, brown eyes should be as dark as possible and set obliquely. The stop is moderate.
Belgian Shepherd Groenendael's snout is narrower at its tip than at its base, but it is not sharp. Its strong jaws give it a scissors bite.
O fur is long, though not as much as in other longhaired breeds (eg the Border Collie). It is longer at the neck and before the chest, forming a very beautiful necklace. It is also longer on the back of the thighs and on the tail. It must be black in color and only small white spots on the chest and fingers are accepted.
The tail of the Groenendael must reach to the hock or over it. At rest, the tail hangs and its tip curves back, but without actually hooking up.
The front ends are straight and, seen from the front, are parallel. The rear ends of the Groenendael are powerful but without giving the appearance of being heavy. They have a normal angle.
THE height at the withers for males it ranges between 60 and 66 centimeters. For females, the average height at the withers is between 56 and 62 centimeters. O Weight of the males must be between 25 and 30 kilos. The females must be between 20 and 25 kilos.
Character of the Belgian Shepherd Groenendael
The Groenendael is a dog alert, intelligent, brave and loyal. This dog has strong instincts for protection, territoriality and herding. Therefore, it is necessary to socialize him correctly as a puppy.
Also, as he is usually a very active dog, Belgian Shepherd Groenendael needs some occupation to keep him entertained. If you don't get enough physical and mental exercise, you can develop behavior problems. Your sheepdog instinct can lead you to
It can get along well with other pets, but for that it must be socialized from a very young age. If socialization is inadequate, this dog can be dominant with other dogs, and suspicious of pets of other species.
Care of the Belgian Shepherd Groenendael
Belgian Shepherd Groenendael can live peacefully in an apartment or in a large house with a garden. However, in either case, you must be given sufficient physical and mental exercise, as well as sufficient company. The Greenendael don't like solitude, so it is essential to think about these factors before adopting a specimen of this breed. Make sure you have enough time to devote to this extraordinary puppy.
On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that it 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 on a regular basis.
Education of the Belgian Shepherd Groenendael
Since a puppy, he must start working the education and training of the Belgian Shepherd Groenendael. Precisely because of its great mental abilities, it is highly recommended to propose activities to this puppy 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 enrich the dog's life will be pleasing to him. In his adult phase, he must actively work on the basic obedience orders and may continue to advance in more complex orders and physical activities that include stimulation. Agility is a clear example of this.
Health of the Belgian Shepherd Groenendael
There are no specific diseases in this variety of Belgian Shepherd, however it is susceptible to suffer any common disease in puppies. To ensure your good health you should consult the veterinarian every 6 months, strictly follow the vaccination schedule and deworm the puppy with the appropriate frequency. All these cares will help the puppy enjoy a better state of health.