Belgian Shepherd
- Group 1: Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs ( without Swiss Cattle Dogs)
- Section 1: Sheepdogs
- With working trial
Belgium
Chien de Berger Belge
- Males: 62 cm
- Bitches: 58 cm
- Dogs: 25-35 kg
- Bitches: 20-25 kg
- Groenendael
- Laekenois
- Malinois
- Tervueren
As Belgian Sheepdog four types which arose in Belgium in the 19th century breed of dog are called. The race is run by the FCI with the default number 15 in Group 1, Section 1.
Origin and History
Belgian Shepherds were known before the end of the 19th century only as working dogs by shepherds and peasants, and not a separate breed.
The Club du Chien de Berger Belge was founded on 29 September 1891 in Brussels by A. Reul. On 8 May 1892, the first Specialty Show for Belgian Shepherds took place in Cureghem. In the same year the first standard was written. This three varieties have been described: long hair, wire-haired and short-haired. This standard was changed several times until the widely accepted standard with four varieties. 1898 by L. Huyghebaert and G. Geudens another club founded, the Berger Belge Club based in Malines (Mechelen). The various disputes about color, hair dress and other important characteristics of the breed was only recently founded the club. This was recognized by the Société Royale Canine St. Hubert ( Belgian federation ). A few years later, the Royal Groendendael Club has been recognized. On March 30, 1990, these two clubs joined ultimately to the Royal Union of Belgian Shepherd dogs for clubs together.
1901, the first Belgian Shepherds were registered with the stud book. First officially registered dog of the breed was the Malinois Vos de polder.
The Belgian Shepherd is grown in four varieties:
- Groenendael, long-haired, black
- Laekenois, rauhaarig
- Malinois, shorthaired
- Tervueren, long-haired, red-brown, fawn, black overlay
The same type of dog it is also in the neighboring country, the Netherlands: the Hollandse Herdershond. Physique and appearance are virtually identical. The Belgian shepherd dogs in contrast to Hollandsen Herderhond named their varieties differently. When Dutch Shepherd brindle dogs are bred. Belgian and Dutch Shepherds date back to around the same area. The separation of the races was only when Belgium broke away from the Netherlands and became independent.
Description
The Belgian Shepherd has a small boned and elegant overall appearance. The fact that he carries his head quite high ( an angulation of almost 90 degrees from the neck to the back line, compared to about 45 degrees at today's German Shepherd ), this dog is very noble and proud without exaggerations. His head should be dry ( tight skin) and not be rude. Stop ( forehead ) and nose upper back should be almost parallel. In contrast to the German shepherd dog looking from the side rectangular, that is longer than it is tall, the Belgian Sheepdog is square built in the ideal case and little bent. His shoulder is falling short and the hindquarters are very little angled, that is, it is more likely under the body. Result, the path of the Belgian Shepherd dog is less " covering ground ". However, the steep rear angulation also explains the speed and agility as well as the outstanding jumping ability of this dog and shows the usefulness of his " building ", so his physique, for the intended purposes. The best you can these differences to today's German Shepherd Dog Malinois while.
Sanitary
For the different variants of the Belgian Shepherd different susceptibilities to genetic diseases have been described in the literature:
- Groenendael: epilepsy, absence of the optic chiasm.
- Malinois: elbow dysplasia
- Tervueren: epilepsy, vitiligo and in populations in the United States leukopenia.
Breeding
Although they all form a common race, the varieties must not be crossed. In special cases, the national breed associations can grant exceptions.
Dog shows
At dog shows the breed standard stipulates the following:
" The four varieties are judged separately and can each be awarded a CAC, CACIB one or a reserve Awards justified. "
Legal
All four varieties of Belgian Shepherd are in the Swiss canton of Ticino on the breed list of potentially dangerous dogs; the attitude is there a permit.