Overall appearance
The first impression of a Belgian Shepherd is one
A dog with a balanced body shape, elegant appearance and very straight head and neck. He is a strong, agile, muscular dog breed, alert and full of life. His whole construction gives the impression of being strong and sturdy and not bulky.
temperament:
Smart, vigilant, serious
AKC cultivates popularity: 129 out of 193
Height: 24-26 inches (male), 22-24 inches (female)
Weight: 55-75 lbs (male), 45-60 lbs (female)
Life expectancy: 12-14 years
history
Belgium's climate and topography are very favourable to the livestock and dairy farming industries, and this small but industrious country has always been self-sufficient in these commodities. Belgium has long been the world's largest exporter of milk chocolate, and milk chocolate is an important part of the national economy. It is therefore not surprising that old Belgian farmers are busy herding their cattle.
The industry certainly has to mention sheepdogs. In fact, there were once eight species of shepherd dogs that were endemic to Belgium. By the 1890s, when they were first officially classified, we know four more today: the Belgian Shepherd (aka Groenendael or Chien de Berger Belge), Malinova, Twarren, and Laekenois. They are identical in appearance, but vary in hair, color, and length. The name is named the long-haired black dog breed, today's Belgian Shepherd, thanks to Nicholas Ross, an important breeder in the 1890s who ran a restaurant near Brussels called "Gronandel Manor", a family that has raised this sheepdog for generations and did not let it go extinct.
By the end of the 20th century, the versatility and work of the Belgian Shepherd was no longer limited to square wood. In this era, Belgian Shepherds were used as police dogs in Paris and New York. Customs officers employ them to patrol the border and eliminate smugglers. During World War I, they were known for messengers, ambulances, and heavy gunboats. The Belgian Shepherd once again played the role of a war dog in World War II.
The American Belgian Shepherd Club was founded in 1949, and since then, this noble breed has done everything, very versatile: performance dogs, athletes, policemen, soldiers, service dogs, search and rescue dogs, watch dogs.