One of the most admired herding dogs is the surprisingly intelligent Belgian Shepherd. Bred for herding and protecting sheep, this breed is distinguished by its great agility, intelligence, and adaptability. But something that many ignore is that the name ” Belgian Shepherd ” actually refers to different dogs. Do you know what the different Belgian Shepherd types are?

How many Belgian Shepherd types are there?

The Belgian Shepherd group is made up of 4 very similar dogs. They are:

1. Belgian Shepherd Groenendael
2. Belgian Shepherd Tervuren
3. Belgian Shepherd Malinois
4. Belgian Shepherd Laekenois

Most countries, including Belgium as a country of origin, consider these dogs to be varieties of the same breed called the Belgian Shepherd. But in some kennel clubs, they are recognized as 4 separate breeds. An example of this is the American Kennel Club (AKC).

All four types exhibit very similar physical characteristics, with length, texture, and coat color being their 3 main differences.

Let’s see how they look, what distinguishes them, and what temperament they have …

Belgian Shepherd Groenendael

Named after the town of Groenendael in Belgium, this is the classic Belgian Shepherd type. In fact, many know him simply as “the Belgian Shepherd”. It is a medium-large dog, with a square outline and moderately long fur. Although it is sometimes confused with the German Shepherd, its head is more refined and its body is less heavy.

The distinguishing feature of this variety is the solid black coat, with increased volume around the neck, and feathery hairs on the legs, tail, and belly.

The Groenendael is bright, obedient, determined, and observant, with strong protective and territorial instincts. Like the rest of the shepherds, he exhibits a highly intelligent personality; he is an excellent field worker and a fast learner.

As a pet, he is a devoted, affectionate, and devoted companion to his family. However, he is not a dog you want to leave idle or bored. Groenendael-type shepherds need a lot of exercises and mental stimulation. They are very active and thrive best in the company.

In addition, they will do anything to protect the home and family. Experts recommend against encouraging guard instincts as puppies, as they can become confused and overly protective. It is important to socialize them early. He is known to be shy and reserved around strangers.

The Groenendael type of Belgian Shepherd tends to have a milder temperament and a less pronounced drive to work.

• Life expectancy: 12-14 years
• Height: 56-66cm
• Weight: 27-34kg
• Temperament: alert, intelligent, obedient, protective, stubborn, sensitive

Belgian Shepherd Tervuren

The Tervuren or Tervuren Belgian Shepherd is a majestic dog, whose hallmarks are the black facial mask and the double-pigmented coat: fawn with a black-tipped upper coat. In addition, it has lighter-colored feathery hairs on the belly, the back of the legs, and the tail.

The less knowledgeable might confuse him with Shepherd Groenendael or his German relative.

Also very active and agile, the Tervuren Shepherd needs an owner capable of providing him with enough activity and attention. He thrives best when he can work and play most of the day with his family. He is a loyal and protective pet.

Tervurens are generally wary of strangers and prone to herding children. Training and socialization from puppyhood are always recommended to get the most out of their level of intelligence and obedience.

They are often used as guard dogs and police dogs. In fact, these are their main roles today.

The Belgian Tervuren excels at advanced obedience and agility competitions. These specimens can vary from very energetic to calmer, and from a carefree character to skittish and nervous one.

• Life expectancy: 10-12 years
• Height: 56-66cm
• Weight: 27-34kg
• Temperament: brave, intelligent, energetic, devoted, protective, playful

Belgian Shepherd Malinois

Another type of Belgian Shepherd is the Malinois, a dog originally from Mechelen, in Belgium. At first sight, it is also common to confuse it with the German shepherd, however, this one is smaller, lighter, and squarer in its body structure.

Compared to the other varieties, the Malinois looks different as it is slightly smaller and its coat is shorter. The fawn to tan coat, the conspicuous erect and triangular ears, as well as the intense black mask on the snout, are its most striking features.

Belgian Malinois are intelligent, active dogs that excel at many tasks. They are not only great for herding but also for police work, search and rescue services, or other activities that require stamina and agility.

It is bright, obedient, determined, observant, and exhibits strong protective and territorial instincts.

Of course, it does not stop being a demanding shepherd dog. The Malinois is not recommended for first-time or inexperienced owners; sometimes it can be difficult to manage. It is known to tend to display herding behavior such as chasing, circling for hours, and nipping at people’s heels.

Among all types of Belgian Shepherds, the Malinois exhibits the highest energy levels. Sometimes they reach the point of hyperactivity. They have an intense personality and a marked prey/pursuit drive.

• Life expectancy: 12-14 years
• Height: 56-66cm
• Weight: 20-30kg
• Temperament: active, alert, confident, intelligent, protective, hard-working, stubborn

Belgian Shepherd Laekenois

The Laekenois appears to be the oldest, rarest, and least popular of the four types of Belgian Sheepdog. Its name comes from the city of Laeken, where it was widely used as a shepherd and guard of the flocks.

Like his brother, the Malinois, this one is very easy to identify by the appearance of his coat. The Laekenois’s harsh coat exhibits a wiry texture and ranges from short to medium in length.

He is smart and hard-working; always seeks to please his owner. He can become destructive out of boredom when he has nothing to do. Although he was originally bred for herding cattle, today he often performs different tasks, such as police duty, bomb, and drug detection, search and rescue, and therapy dog.

It also has a strong protective and territorial instinct. It is important to socialize him as a puppy to appease his protective and inquisitive nature.

Like any other breed of Belgian Shepherd, the Laekenois thrives best in the hands of a firm and confident owner with enough experience to control a dominant dog.

• Life expectancy: 10-12 years
• Height: 56-66cm
• Weight: 20-30kg
• Temperament: active, alert, lively, protective, watchful

What characterizes the different Belgian Shepherds?

Although each type of Belgian Shepherd has particular behavioral traits, the truth is that there are more similarities than differences. In general, these are the 7 characteristics that best define Belgian herding dogs:

1. They are very intelligent, loyal, and sensitive.
2. They are agile and very energetic and their movements denote grace and elegance.
3. They are prone to boredom, hence they need a job to do; otherwise, they can very poorly use all the excess energy.
4. In addition to physical exercise, they require a lot of mental stimulation.
5. They have a strong protective instinct and are often wary of strangers.
6. They get along well with children, as long as they are socialized and trained to learn not to herd them.
7. They are not the type of shepherd suitable for inexperienced owners.

How to know if a Belgian Shepherd is right for you?

You probably want a Belgian Shepherd type of pet if you are looking for a dog that is:

• Big, strong, but also elegant and graceful.
• Very intelligent and versatile, able to learn and do almost anything.
• Active, energetic, and self-confident
• Observer and vigilant, with strong protective instincts towards the home and its owners.
• Relatively easy to clean and maintain.
• Good with children and other pets.

Conversely, a Belgian Shepherd may not be the best choice if you can’t deal with:

• A physically and mentally demanding dog.
• High demand for daily exercise.
• Need for strong leadership to calm willful temper
• Destructive behaviors in case of boredom.
• Aggression or mistrust towards strange people and animals.
• Tendency to herding behavior towards children, animals, bicycles, etc.
• Tendency to vocal behavior.

Quick Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a type of white Belgian Shepherd?

No. The white color is not observed in any of the 4 types of Belgian Shepherd. The belief that there is a white Belgian Shepherd is due to the fact that many people confuse the White Swiss Shepherd with a variety of the Belgian dog, however, it is a different breed.

The White Swiss Shepherd looks very similar to the typical sheepdog, but his coat is very dense and pure white.

Note. It may be the case that a Belgian shepherd dog is white due to the albinism gene.